Section 1:  The Bible

We believe that the Bible, as written by the original human authors, is “God-breathed” (II Timothy 3:16 NIV), inspired and controlled by God, through the Holy Spirit.  It is, therefore, the infallible and authoritative Word of God.

Section 2:  God

We believe that there is one sovereign, living and true God, and that Scripture teaches His eternal existence as three persons:  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  All three are identical in nature, equal in power and glory, and have the same attributes and perfections.  (I John 5:7 KJV)

God the Father – We believe that God the Father orders and carries out all things according to his divine plan, will, and purpose; with mercy and grace.  We believe that the fatherhood of God denotes a spiritual relationship, first of all within the Trinity; and secondly, within mankind, creatively in relation to all people, but spiritually only in relation to believers.  (Psalm 145:8,9,13; I Corinthians 8:6)

God the Son – We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son, and that He was completely God, and at His incarnation became completely man.  He took on human flesh at the time he was born of the virgin Mary, and yet gave up none of His divine attributes as God.  He was crucified as a man and arose from the dead, to forever authenticate His Deity as God, as well as to demonstrate His divine power over sin and death.  (John 1:1,14; 10:30; 14:9)

God the Holy Spirit – We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, a divine Person possessing all the attributes of God.  He indwells every believer and works to transform them into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He instructs, sanctifies, and empowers believers.  He convicts all of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  (Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 139:7-10; John 16:7-14; I Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 4:30)

Section 3:  Man

We believe that man was created by God in His image, and in his likeness, and without sin.  He was created with intelligence, free will, and a moral responsibility to God.  We believe that man lost his innocence and rebelled against God at the time of the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Each generation is born with the sinful nature of the previous generation.  We believe that it is God’s desire for men and women to glorify Him, and to enjoy God’s love and companionship in this life and for all eternity.  (Genesis 1,2 and 3; John 10:10)

Section 4:  Creation

We believe that, “God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1), including all life, “each after its own kind”.  He did so by direct act, and not by the process of evolution.  (Genesis 1 and 2)

Section 5:  Salvation

We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin.  Following His sacrificial death, Christ was raised from the dead, conquering sin and death.  Salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, and no works, however good, make that salvation more available.  We believe that all who take Christ as their Savior are born from above, or born again.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (I Corinthians. 5:17)  We believe that because genuine salvation is both enabled and carried on by the grace of God, that it is permanent and can never be lost.  A true believer who disobeys the Lord for an extended period of time, may be tempted to feel and/or think that his salvation is lost.  However, if his salvation is genuine, that fact will be proven yet again in confession and repentance.  (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-7)

Section 6:  The Church

We believe that the Church consists of all believers and its purpose is to glorify God.  It is a New Testament institution established by Jesus Christ, who is its sole head.  The Church is empowered and perpetuated by the Holy Spirit.  It is Christ’s “body” for service and His “bride” for glory.  It is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of baptized believers; associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in it by His Word; led by pastors and Elders; self-governing; answering ultimately to God Himself.  (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41-47; I Corinthians 1:2; 12:12-28; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:21)

Section 7:  Ordinances

We believe that there are two church ordinances:  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Baptism is properly called believer’s baptism.  It sets forth in a beautiful and solemn way our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with the effects of that faith in our lives as it produces death to sin and resurrection to a new life.  Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.  The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death and our continual fellowship with Him.  It should always be preceded by careful self-examination.  (Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-32)

Section 8:  The Return of Christ

We believe in the bodily, personal return of Jesus Christ; that He will come to take His bride, the church, to be with Him.  We believe He will come back to the Earth with His church to judge the living nations and set up His Kingdom on Earth.  (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-15)

Section 9: Marriage

We believe that in the beginning God created people as man and woman.  We believe that marriage is a covenantal one-flesh relationship between a man and woman, designed by God to continue until death.  We believe that sex is a good thing created by God for a man and woman within the marriage relationship.  All sex outside of marriage – both heterosexual and homosexual – is a sin and outside of God’s holy will.  (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Romans 1:18-32, I Corinthians 6:9-20, Ephesians 5:3-6)