We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct
process, but it can also be liberating and bring peace to the soul.
(Mt 5:18; Ro 15:4; 1Co 2:13, 10:11; 2Tm 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:20-21)
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they function distinctly but harmoniously in the work of creation, providence, and redemption
(Gen 1:1-2; Is. 43:10-11; Mt 28:19; Mk 12:29; John 1:1-3, 14:26; 2Co 13:14;
1Pe 1:2)
We believe in God the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and spiritual death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
(Ex 34:6-7; Lev 20:26; Jer. 32:17; John 3:16, 4:24, 5:24; Ro 11:33; 1Jn 5:14-15)
We believe in Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, that He became fully man without ceasing to be God having been conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth.
(Mt 1:20-23; Luke 24:5-7; John 1:1, 14; 6:68-69; 8:46; 20:30-31; Ac 1:9,11; Ro 5; 2Co 5:21; Heb. 1:1-4, 7:25; 1 John 4:10)
We believe that the Holy Spirit was sent from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that He indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, teacher and guide.
(Mt 28:19, 3:5, 14:26; John 16:7-11, 13-14; Ac 1:8, 5:3-4, 34; Ro 8:14; 1Co 6:19; Titus 3:5-6; 1Pt.1:2)
We believe in the personality of Satan. We believe that he is a liar and the master deceiver, accuser of the brethren, opposer of all truth and destined to eternal judgment in the lake of fire.
(Job 1:9-11; John 8:44; 2Co 4:4 11:13-14; 1Pe 5:8; Rev. 20:10)
We believe in God as the sovereign creator of the world, all matter, and every form of life. We believe that His creation, while wholly dependent upon Him, neither comprises part of God nor conditions His essential perfection.
(Gen 1:2; John 1:1-3; Ac 7:48-49; Col 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3)
We believe that man was created in the image of God and that he sinned, thereby incurring physical as well as spiritual death which is separation from God, that every person is a sinner by nature and by choice and therefore under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are born into God's family by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and at the moment of that new birth are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, the Church.
(Gen 1:27-31; Ro 3:23-24, 5:1-21; 6:23; 1Co 12:13; Ep. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in the world today not only to convict, regenerate, sanctify, empower, help, teach and guide, (see No. 5) but that He also gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His sovereign will. A spiritual gift is a divine enabling to accomplish the spiritual ends the Holy Spirit desires. Their primary purpose is for the common good to build up the body of Christ rather than to be a sign of spirituality. Spirituality is revealed by the fruit of the spirit in the life of the believer.
(Ro 12:3-9; 1Co 12-14; Gal 5:22-23; Eph. 4:12-16; 1Pe 4:8-11)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances for the local church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Triune God as a symbolic reenactment of the inward change that takes place when a person places his faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances are to be observed and administered until the return of Christ.
(Mt 28:19-20; Lk 22:19-20; Ro 6:1-11; 1Co 11:23-26; Col 2:12-13)
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore church and state must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good of society; that government leaders are to be prayed for, conscientiously shown respect and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ as defined in the Scriptures.
(Mk. 12:17; Ac 5:29, 40-42; Ro 13:1-7, 14:11-12; 1Co 4:1-4; Col 3:17; 1Tm 2:1-2)
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperation with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a district or general conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary basis.
(Ac 15:1-31)
The Rapture of the Church (Blessed Hope). We believe in the imminent, pre-tribulation, return of the Lord Jesus Christ for the church. We believe at this moment the dead in Christ and we who are living will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air to always be with Him. (1 Cor. 15:51-52; John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) We believe that the church is not set for wrath but for salvation. (1 Thess. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; Rev 3:10)
Judgment Seat of Christ and Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Thus believers will be in heaven during the tribulation where they will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ for their works. An enlightenment of our life where we will “know as we are known.” (1 Cor. 3:12-15, 1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev 19:7-9, Eph. 5:25-32)
The Tribulation. A period of seven years will follow the rapture of the church in which the Antichrist will rise to power and make a covenant with Israel. (Dan. 9:27) The Holy Spirit, He that restrains, is removed. (2 Thess. 2:6-7) A terrible time of God’s wrath will ensue. (Matt. 24:8-28; Rev. 6-9). The everlasting gospel will be preached and some will be saved. (Rev. 14:6-7)
The Second Coming. We believe at the end of the tribulation Jesus will return in all power and glory to defeat Satan. All eyes shall see Him. (Rev. 1:7) The saints that have died during the tribulation and the Old Testament saints will be resurrected. (Rev. 20:4-6; Zech. 14:4-11; Dan. 12:1-3, 13; Matthew 24:30-31; Ezekiel 37:1-14)
Millennium. Jesus will reign from the throne of David in a literal, earthly kingdom for 1,000 years. During this time, Satan will be bound but released at the end to deceive the nations before his ultimate defeat and being cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:1-10; Is. 65:20-25)
The Great White Throne Judgment. People who have rejected God’s grace and are found to be unbelieving and unregenerate, whose name is not found in the book of life, will be
cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:11-15) This is not annihilation, but everlasting punishment away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power forever. (Jude 6-7; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Luke 16:19-26)
Eternal State. A new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21)
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