What We Believe

Statement of Faith

 We believe in the Trinity.

We believe that God exists in one holy and loving God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit eternally. God has created all things visible and invisible, has brought salvation and new life to humanity through Jesus Christ, and continues to sustain the church and all things until the end of the age. (Genesis 17:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2)

 We believe in Jesus Christ.

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word of God became flesh. He is the Savior of the world, who has delivered us from the dominion of sin and reconciled us to God by his death on a cross. He was declared to be Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. He is the head of the church, the exalted Lord, the Lamb who was slain, coming again to reign with God in glory. (John 1:14; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14)

 We believe in the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the eternal Spirit of God, who dwelled in Jesus Christ, who empowers the church, who is the source of our life in Christ, and who is poured out on those who believe as the guarantee of redemption. (John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Romans 8:26-27; Genesis 1:1-3)

 We believe in the Bible.

We believe that all scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit for instruction in salvation and training in righteousness. We accept the Scriptures as the Word of God and as the fully reliable (infallible) and trustworthy standard for Christian faith and life. Led by the Holy Spirit in the church, we interpret Scripture in harmony with Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 119:105, 160; 1 Peter 1:23;  Psalm 19:7-11)

 We believe in Creation.

We believe that God has created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, and that God preserves and renews what has been made. The world has been created good because God is good and provides all that is needed for life.

We believe that God has created human beings in His divine image. We believe that God created them male and female.  God formed man from the dust of the earth and gave him a special dignity among all the works of creation. Human beings have been made for relationship with God, to live in peace with each other, and to take care of the rest of creation. (Genesis 1:26-27; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3)

 We believe that all have sinned.

We confess that, beginning with Adam and Eve, humanity has disobeyed God, given way to the tempter, and chosen to sin. All have fallen short of the Creator’s intent, marred the image of God in

which they were created, disrupted order in the world, and limited their love for others. Because of sin, humanity has been given over to the enslaving powers of evil and death. (Genesis 3: 1-6, 24; Romans 3:10-19; 5:12; 1:20; Ephesians 2:1-3)

 We believe in salvation.

We believe that, through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life. We receive God’s salvation when we repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Christ, we are reconciled with God and brought into the reconciling community. We place our faith in God by the same power that raised Christ from the dead, so that we may be saved from sin to follow Christ and to know the fullness of salvation. (Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Philippians 2:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

 We believe in the church.

We believe that the church is the assembly of those who have accepted God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a community of disciples sent into the world to proclaim the reign of God. It is a body established and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

We believe that the mission of the church is to proclaim the kingdom of God. Christ has commissioned the church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things he has commanded.

We believe that Jesus Christ calls us to discipleship, to take up our cross and follow him. Through the gift of God’s saving grace, we are empowered to be disciples of Jesus, filled with his Spirit, following his teachings and his path through suffering to new life. As we are faithful to His way, we become conformed to Christ and separated from the evil in the world. (Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:41-42; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18)

 We believe all believers are given spiritual gifts.

We believe that God gives gifts through the Holy Spirit to all believers and empowers them for service in the church and in the world. We believe that God calls particular persons in the church to specific leadership ministries. All who minister are accountable to God and to the community of faith. (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

 We believe in the importance of families.

We believe in the sanctity of life in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged and every other state of condition We believe that God intends human life to begin in families and to be blessed through families. Even more, God desires all people to become part of the church, God’s family.

We believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman for life. We are called to chastity and to loving faithfulness in marriage.

We believe that both gender and gender roles are defined by God in his word. (Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21)

 We believe in the second return of Jesus.

We place our hope in the second coming of Jesus and the reign of God. Christ will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. He will gather his church, bring an end to the present age of struggle, resurrect the dead and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Matthew 24; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Revelation 20:1-6; 21:1-8; Philippians 3:20-21)