THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be completely true and authoritative in all areas of faith and practice. It is God-inspired and a source of strength, direction, and wisdom for those who apply it to their lives. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
GOD
We believe in one God. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The three are co- equal and are one God. (see Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22, Psalms 90:2, 1 Peter 1:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
FATHER
The Father is the equal to the Son and the Holy Spirit as God. He is all-powerful, all knowing, all loving and all wise. Because of sin we cannot have a relationship with the Father except through Jesus Christ. It is His will that all of us know Him and love Him intimately as our "Daddy." It is His will that we should desire God to occur in our lives and the lives of others. (see Matthew 6:9-10, John 14:6-11, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:15-16, 1 John 2:1-3, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6)
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the only son born of God. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit as God. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the only perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven's glory and will return again to reign as King of Kings. (see Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13)
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in the journey to become like Christ as they relinquish control of their lives. (see 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:8)
MANKIND
We are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character and to be the supreme object of God's creation. Although all people have tremendous potential for good, they are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates us from God. (see Genesis 1:27, Psalms 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:1-2)
SALVATION AND ETERNITY
Salvation is a gift from God that is given to a person upon their belief in Jesus Christ because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Because God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation is for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the person, but Jesus reminds us that he who stands to the end will be saved. It is, therefore, the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. God's desire is that everyone will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. We will either exist in union with God through forgiveness and salvation or we will be eternally separated from God by sin. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. Heaven and Hell are real places of existence. (see John 3:16, John 2:25, John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, Matthew 1:8, 2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 2:44-46, John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Matthew 10:22)
BAPTISM
Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is commanded as our public testimony that we have decided to live for Christ and it should follow soon after our salvation. (see above section on Salvation) In keeping with the example of Christ, we baptize by immersion. (see Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:26-27, Matthew 6:9-10, John 14:6, John 10:27-30, John 14:6-11, Romans 8:15-16, 1 John 3:1-3)