What we understand the Bible teaches
SCRIPTURE
We believe the Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired word of God. The Bible is inerrant in the original writings and is the Christian’s final authority in faith and conduct. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21
GOD
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hebrews 1:1-3
THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the person and work of Christ, that by the miracle of the virgin birth our Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God in order to reveal God and to redeem man. He died for our sins (the sins of all men) as a substitutionary sacrifice and arose bodily from the dead for our justification. He is now exalted at the right-hand of the Father, Head of the body of Christ and Lord of the individual believer, fulfilling His ministry as our Great High Priest and Advocate. Mark 10:45; Luke 1:30-35; Phil. 2:5-11
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of sin, regenerates the believing sinner, and at conversion, baptizes him into the true church, which is the body of Christ. We believe that He indwells, guides, instructs and empowers the believer for godly living and service. He seals and keeps each believer until the Lord comes. We believe that the Spirit bestows spiritual gifts to each believer for the strengthening and outreach of the Body of Christ. The practice of any gift in any gathered body shall be governed by the Scriptures. John 14:16-17, 16:7-15;
THE HOLY SPIRIT'S ROLE in the LIFE of the BELIEVER
We believe that all true believers are called with a holy calling to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Each believer is to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God so that he will not fulfill the nature of his inheritance from Adam. This sin nature is never eradicated in the flesh but must be kept in subjection to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God.
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the free gift of God neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man. Salvation is received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ all true believers have, as a present possession, the gift of eternal life, a perfect righteousness, sonship in the family of God, deliverance and security from all eternal condemnation, every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and the divine guarantee that they shall never perish. John 3:16; Rom. 3:21-31; Eph. 2:1-10
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true church is composed of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit through a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Members of the true church will be eligible for membership in the local church. Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:1-16; I Corinthians 12:12-27
ORDINANCES
We believe in the ordinances of Our Lord Jesus Christ that the practice of baptism and the participation in the Lord’s Supper are ordinances given by our Lord Jesus Christ. To participate in each is the decision of the individual believer. Participation cannot be regarded in any sense as a means of salvation but is done as an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ’s commands.
CHRIST'S PHYSICAL RETURN
We believe in a blessed hope, in the personal, imminent second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, first to receive His own to Himself and later to set up His earthly kingdom. He will reign over a redeemed Israel and all nations bringing peace and blessing to the whole world. Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:17-21
ETERNAL DESTINY OF ALL HUMANKIND
We believe in an Eternal State that the souls of those who have a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, do at death, immediately pass into His presence. They remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the true church. There united soul and glorified body will be associated with Him forever in glory. We believe unbelievers will be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord and glory of His power. John 14:1-3; I Corinthians 15:51-56