Our Beliefs

According to the Holy Scriptures, we believe that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), infinite (2 Chronicles 6:18; Job 11:7-9), eternal (Psalm 90:2), and unchangeable (Exodus 3:14; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). Furthermore, we believe that there is only one living and true God and that He exists coequally and coeternally in three persons simulataneously - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the inerrant Word of God - both the Old and New Testaments. Furthermore, we believe they were given to us as men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, they are authoritative to the extent that they are the only rule of our faith and obedience (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

We believe that mankind (male and female) were created in the image of God on the sixth day (Genesis 2:7, 21-22) for God's glory (Isaiah 43:7; Revelation 4:11). Man enjoyed unbroken fellowship with God and was given by God dominion over His creation - through ruling and cultivating it (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8). Despite these great privileges and blessings from God, man chose to disobey God's clear command (Genesis 2:16-17), thereby, bringing sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12). Man's sin impacted the entire human race resulting in universal condemnation before God (Romans 5:12-19) as well as the universal corruption of human nature so that all men are sinful and sinners (Romans 3:10-23) from conception (Psalm 51:5; 58:3). This corruption and sin are total; man is totally depraved. 

It is God's masterful plan to restore sinful man unto Himself - for how can God justify man without violating His wrath or His love? Jesus, the Son of God, is the answer. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). "For God the Father hath made Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:4). "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). "When Jesus had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3b). "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). 

We believe that the church is a New Testament concept introduced by Jesus in Matthew 16:13-18 and then inaugurated at Pentecost with the descent of the Spirit of God (Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-47; 11:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Furthermore, we believe that Jesus is also its head (Ephesians 1:22) and it is built upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16, 18). Therefore, it is comprised of believers – sinners who have been redeemed and chosen by God Himself (Ephesians 2:1-8). Moreover, we believe that the church exists to glorify God (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14; 3:21) and it accomplishes its purpose by fulfilling the Great Commission - the making and maturing of disciples within the body of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16). 

The Holy Scriptures define the spiritual growth of a believer as sanctification. We believe this involves two aspects. First of all, there is a sanctification that takes place the moment a believer is saved (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). We believe this is entirely the work of God. Secondly, there is an on-going responsibility for the believer – referred to as progressive sanctification (Romans 6:19; Hebrews 12:14). Furthermore, we believe an individual’s progress in sanctification is dependent upon two things. First, a believer’s abiding in Christ is necessary for growth (John 15:1-11). Additionally, we believe that abiding in Christ will produce a walk with Christ that is pleasing to Him (Ephesians 4:1-3, 17-32). Secondly, sanctification is dependent upon the believer’s relationship to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 119:128). We believe that delighting in the Law of the LORD, through meditating upon it and reading it daily, will produce fruit in a believer that is pleasing to God (Psalm 1:2-3; 2 Corinthians 3:18).