GOD’S LOVE FOR US
God created mankind to share in a loving a relationship with Him. This loving relationship however is one that God has given man the freedom to choose for himself. Mankind chose an attitude of disobedience and separated himself from the will of God. The Bible calls this decision to oppose God, “sin.” Our sin separates us from a God who is without sin, leading us down a path of destruction and death, both physically and spiritually. Despite mankind’s rebellion, God has always maintained His love for us. He loves us so much, that He sent His Son into the world to pay the penalty for our sin. It was only through the sacrifice and spilt blood of Jesus (who is God in the flesh) that our relationship with God can be fully restored to the one He originally intended for us to have. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is our final authority in determining what we believe, what we practice, and how we live. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7-11 Psalm 119:105; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 24:35)
GOD
We believe there is one true, holy God, manifested in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created the Universe and everything in it. Through His wisdom, power, and love, God sustains His creation and carries out His redemptive plan.
(See Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1-2; Psalm 90:2; Philippians 2:6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:8-9)
JESUS CHRIST
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He existed before the beginning, came to earth through a virgin birth, fully God and fully man. He was crucified, buried, and rose again three days later, providing salvation for all mankind. He is our Lord and Savior, and in His return our hope for Eternal Life. (See Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; John 1:14; John 6:35; John 8:12; John 14:6; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1 Timothy 6:14-16; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 22:13; Revelation 22:16)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of all believers. He is present in Christians to guide us, to instruct us, to comfort us, to purify us and to strengthen us for daily living. (See Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; John 16:7-14; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:1-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Peter 1:2)
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift. We cannot earn it. In Jesus Christ God solved our two greatest problems. His death on the cross provides forgiveness for our sins. His resurrection from the dead gives us hope beyond the grave. Salvation is offered freely to any who will receive it by believing the good news about Jesus Christ, by the repenting of (turning away from) sins, and by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. The Christian is then called to remain faithful to Christ as their Lord until death.(See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; Romans 5:6-9; Romans 6:3-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Revelation 2:10)
THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, Him being the head of the body. The church is God’s family; the people who have been born again through Jesus Christ. The members of the church come together to worship God, take communion on the first day of the week, pray, fellowship, and encourage one another in the faith. The church represents Christ in the world and seeks to fulfill Jesus’ commission to preach the good news to all nations. Christians are called to let the love of Jesus shine through their acts and good works. If you belong to Christ you also belong to His church. (See Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:38-47; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 3:20-21; Ephesians 5:25-26)
ETERNAL HOPE
In Jesus Christ God offers us immortality. Sin results in death, but in Christ God give us eternal life. Those who receive Christ in this life look forward to bodily resurrection and eternity with God (heaven). The consequence of rejecting Christ is separation from God (hell). (See Matthew 25:31-46; John 11:25-26; Romans 8:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Peter 1:3-5)