THE BIBLE
We believe that “men were moved by the Holy Spirit” to write the very words of Scripture in the original manuscripts. Because of this divine guidance, the original writings were without error. We believe that the only proper way to understand the Bible is to interpret it in all its parts literally. We also believe that the Bible was given as a love letter from God and is for our practical instruction and obedience. (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Cor. 2:13,14; 2 Tim. 3:16; Jn. 8:31-32; Gal. 5:16-17)
THE TRINITY
We believe that God eternally exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that these three persons constitute One God, One divine Being, not three. Each divine subsistence possesses the same essence and attributes of deity. Though the persons are distinct, they are One God. (Matt. 3:16-17, 28:19; Jn. 10:30; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Pet. 1:1-2)
MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but because he sinned against God, his original relationship with God has been lost and his nature has become depraved. He can no longer do any good work, from his own resources, which is acceptable to God. He is void of spiritual life altogether. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:16-17; 3:6; 5:1; 6:5; Rom. 3:10-12; Eph 2:1-3; Jn. 3:17-18; Rom. 3:19-26; 1 Cor. 15:12-20)
SALVATION
We believe that salvation from the penalty of sin is a gift from God offered by His grace. This gift may be received by man through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone whose blood was shed as satisfaction for sin and it’s penalty. When a person believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who died to pay for all sins, and rose from the grave, that person is saved eternally, completely and assuredly. Assurance of salvation is based upon what Christ has done for the believer at the cross and not what we do for Him. (Rom. 3:24-26; Jn. 3:16; 5:29; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5; 11:6; Jn. 1:29; 1 Jn. 5:11-13)
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit of God and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God the Father and redeem sinful man. We believe that Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God the Father, where, as our High Priest, He is our intercessor and advocate. (Jn. 1:41, 45; 1:1-2,14; 10:30; 5:30,37; 1 Jn. 2:2; Rom. 3:24-26; Jn. 19:30; 5:24; 3:16; Rom. 4:25; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 2:18; 4:15; 1 Jn. 2:1; Heb. 1:3; 3:1; 7:23-25; 9:24; 12:1-2; Rom 8:34; 1 Tim. 2:5)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who possesses all the attributes of God. He is the third person of the triune Godhead. We believe the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and draws the unbeliever to Christ and manifest Christ through the life of His faith-filled followers. We believe that He baptizes them into the Church, the body of Christ, and seals the believer as a possession of God, making it impossible for the believer to lose his salvation. He illumines the application of Scripture to the believer and empowers him to live a life pleasing to God. He bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for his work of the ministry within the body of Christ. (Matt. 28:19; Jn. 16:7-11; Jn. 6:44,65; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 4:30; Jn. 14:26; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-10, 28; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Rom. 6:4-5; Gal. 5:16-17; Eph. 3:14-17; 5:15-21; 1 Cor. 13:8-12)
THE CHURCH
We believe that there is only one universal Church of Jesus Christ. Everyone who has placed his faith in Jesus has been placed into the Church, called the Body of Christ. We believe that the local church is God’s ordained ministry for the present age. We believe that the two ordinances of the local church are water baptism of believers and the observance of the Lord’s Supper. (1 Cor. 11:23-34; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Matt. 16:18; Matt.28:19; Eph. 4:7-16; Rom. 12:4-8)
END TIMES
We believe that the Church will be raptured when the Lord comes in the clouds to receive it to Himself. The rapture is an imminent event which has no sign that precedes it. The Tribulation will begin shortly after the rapture and last for seven years. At the end of Tribulation, Jesus will return to earth, will destroy all of Israel’s enemies, will judge the living believers and unbelievers, casting the unbelievers into hell, and inviting the believers to participate in the Millennial kingdom. After 1000 years Satan, who had been bound at the beginning of the Millennial reign of Jesus upon the earth from Jerusalem, will be loosed and allowed to organize one last opposition against Jesus. This opposition will be destroyed and Jesus will hand over the kingdom to the Father. (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 6-19)