We Believe:
1. In the Scriptures, as the divinely inspired Word of God, which are without error in the original writings. They are the complete revelation of God's will for the salvation of people and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 10:35)
2. In one God, creator and sustainer of all things, perfect, holy, good, almighty, and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each having the same essence and nature. God is infinitely gracious, merciful, compassionate, abounding in steadfast love, and He is the righteous judge of all. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 4:8; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Nehemiah 9:17; 1 Peter 1:15-16)
3. In the Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, was buried, and rose bodily form the dead. He ascended into heaven, was exalted by the Father, and now ministers as our High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25; 9:24; 1 Peter 3:18; 2:22; 1 John 3:5)
4. In the Holy Spirit, co-equal with the Father and Son, who glorifies the Lord Jesus, convicts people of sin, regenerates the believing sinner, and indwells all Christians. He instructs, empowers, guides and gives gifts to all believers for godly living and service in building up the body of Christ, the Church. (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 12:11; Galatians 5:22-23)
5. That man, created in the image and likeness of God, has sinned, and is separated from God who is holy. Man receives salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12, 19; John 3:3-5; Titus 3:4-7)
6. That the death of Christ was voluntary and substitutionary. The death and resurrection of Christ provide the only basis for man's justification and acceptance by God. All who receive the Lord Jesus by faith are redeemed by His blood and are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, becoming children of God. Those who are born again are kept by the power of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit, have eternal life and shall never perish. (Romans 3:21-26; 4:25; 5:6,8-10; 8:1; John 3:16-18, 36; 5:24;10:27-29; Ephesians 1:7-8, 12-14; 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
7. In the personal, Imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take all who believe to be with Him forever, followed by the judgment of God upon unbelieving society, and the millennial reign of Christ on earth. (John 14:2-3; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:23-25, 51-52; Matthew 24:4-44; Isaiah 2:2-4; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
8. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting life with the Lord in heaven, and of the unbeliever to everlasting judgment and separation from God. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10;1 Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 16:19-31; 23:39-43; John 5:24-29;14:1-3)
9. In Christians baptism as an expression of a believer's identification with Christ and commitment to follow Him. Baptism is not a means of or and aid to salvation, nor a prerequisite to fellowship at the Lord's Supper. Our practice is to baptize by immersion, symbolizing the believer's death and burial with Christ, his being raised with Him to live a new life. (Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:12, 35-39; 16:31-33)
10. That the celebration of the Lord's Supper is the privilege and responsibility of all believers. No person who gives a credible confession of faith will be refused participation in the communion of our Lord, unless that person is willfully engaged in sin, persists in disseminating false doctrine or creating division, or is being disciplined by another church for such practices. The observance of the Lord's Supper does not require the presence or administration of a designated leader. Believers my exercise their common priesthood under the leadership of the Holy Spirit to remember and worship their Lord. (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-24; 1 Peter 2:91)
11. That the Church is a spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The Church is composed of all true believers united by the work of the Holy Spirit. The calling and destiny of the Church are heavenly, and the chief function of the Church are to glorify God on earth, and to witness for Christ until He returns. (Matthew 16:18; 28:19; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27;1 Peter 4:11; Acts 1:8)
12. That the Lord has called believers to fellowship together in local churches. Our congregation, though autonomous in government, exists in vital union with all other believers. As Christians, we are to join in worshiping the living God, praying, building up one another in the faith, giving our time and money as good and faithful stewards for the work of God. We are also to observe the Lord's Supper, baptize new believers, teach the Word of God, and proclaim the message of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:13)
13. That the local congregation of Christians is to be guided and led by qualified, recognized elders who are responsible before God as shepherds of His flock. The elders are to share various responsibilities with other spiritual and capable men and women. (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2-3; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
14. That the responsibility for ministry in the local church is not limited to one individual within the congregation. All Believers are welcomed and encouraged to work in cooperation with the elders for the purpose of helping in the total ministry of the church. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Ephesians 4:11-13;1 Peter 4:9-11)