Core Beliefs
God
There is only one true and living God, who has revealed himself to humanity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 4:35, 2 Corinthians 13:14
God the Father is the holy and loving creator of all things, omnipresent, all-knowing, all-powerful.
Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 64:8, 2 John 3, Leviticus 19:2, Jeremiah 23:24, Hebrews 4:12-13, Revelation 19:6
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was God’s bodily manifestation on Earth. Jesus is fully human and fully divine, the atoning sacrifice for humanity’s sins, giving eternal life to those who believe in him.
Luke 1:35, John 1:14, 1 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 1:21, John 1:29, John 3:16
The Holy Spirit indwells all believers upon their conversion to the Christian faith, imparting the “fruit of the Spirit” and the “gifts of the Spirit” to the “body of Christ.” He bears witness to the words and work of Jesus and empowers the church to fulfill Christ’s mission on Earth.
John 14:15-18,26; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11,27; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:29-31
God's Word
The Holy Scriptures are the complete, divinely inspired words of God to humanity; the final authority for all Christian belief and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, John 17:17
Humanity's Creation and Purpose
In love, God created humanity in his own image and likeness to be his children, his church, and his bride. We were created to live in eternal love and fellowship with him.
Genesis 1:27, John 1:12-13, Romans 8:16, Ephesians 5:25-32, Revelation 19:7
Humanity's Fall
Humanity fell from this exalted relationship with God through sin – willful disobedience to his commands and acting against their own internal conscience. Sin ultimately leads to both physical and spiritual death.
Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23a
The Gospel
Because of his great love for humanity, God sent his son to Earth to pay the penalty for human sin. The good news that God has redeemed humanity from eternal judgment through Jesus’ death on the cross is called “the gospel.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
John 3:14-17, Romans 6:23b, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 2:8-9
Our Faith Response
Hearing and believing the gospel leads a person to repentance – a divinely inspired change of heart and mind that causes them to turn away from sin and turn to God.
Ezekiel 18:30b-32, Luke 5:32, Acts 3:19, Romans 2:4, 2 Corinthians 7:10
When believers place their faith in Christ for salvation, Scripture commands that they be baptized in water, acknowledging their sins and receiving God’s forgiveness. Through this act of faith-filled obedience, they symbolically participate in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, as if it were their own.
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12, 1 Peter 3:21, Matthew 3:13-15, Romans 6:3-11
God lives inside every “born again” believer through the gift of his Holy Spirit, sealing them as his own. His gift imparts divine power to live a holy, righteous and godly life, as they joyfully share the good news of salvation with others.
1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:13-14, Mark 16:15-18, 1 John 4:13
The Christian Life
Every believer becomes a valued member of Christ’s church. The church meets in local groups of love and fellowship for prayer, worship, hearing the word of God, baptizing new believers, and sharing in Communion – the “Lord’s supper.” Whether individually or collectively, Christians engage in good works to serve all people, to the glory of God.
Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32,1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Matthew 5:14-16, Galatians 6:9-10, Titus 3:8
Christ's Return
Our Lord will soon return to Earth to establish his righteous, eternal kingdom. We eagerly await his return!
John 14:3, Matthew 25:34, Revelation 22:20