What We Believe: Our Statement of Faith

 THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE

• About God.
  God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three
  personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal
  and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2;
  2 Corinthians 13:14
  
• About Jesus Christ.
  Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was virgin-born,
  lived a sinless human life, demonstrated His authority through many miracles, and offered
  Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose
  from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended
  to His Father in heaven, and is coming again. He will return someday to earth to reign as
  King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:18, 22, 23; Isaiah 9:6 John 1:1-5, 14:3,10-30;
  Hebrews 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15;
  Titus 2:13
  
• About the Holy Spirit.
  The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the
  world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that the
  Holy Spirit indwells every believer enabling them to live the abundant life and display
  the character of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to witness and endows
  spiritual gifts, the church is built up and those who are searching find eternal life in Christ.
  As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8,
  I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16-17;12-14;Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 4,5:18; Romans 12
  
• About People.
  Man was made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character, the supreme object
  of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us from
  birth are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." Because of sin, all
  people are under a curse and are in a state of spiritual separation from God. The ultimate
  result of sin is death. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; 51:5; Isaiah 53:6a Romans 3:23;
  Isaiah 59:1, 2
  
• About Eternity. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated
  from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally
  separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and
  Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23;
  Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; I Cor. 2:7-9
  
• About Salvation.
  Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin
  by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of
  forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn away from our self-ruled
  life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives
  Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Christ alone secures salvation. Romans 5:1; 6:23,
  Ephesians 2:8,9 John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; John 10:27-28
  
• About the Security of the Believer.
  Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in
  that salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the
  self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this
  security. John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,1; 1 Peter 1:3-5
  
• About the Bible.
  The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural
  guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
  Because it is inspired by God it is the Truth without any mixture or error. II Timothy 3:16; 
  2 Peter 1:20,21; 11 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5
  
• About the church.
  Scripture teaches the church is the bride of Christ and the body of Christ. On earth is to
  fulfill "The Great Commandment" and "The Great Commission". Therefore we exist to make
  disciples of Jesus Christ; to bring people to Jesus and membership in his family, develop
  them to Christ-like maturity, and equip them for their ministry in the church and their
  mission in the world in order to Magnify God's name. Matthew 22:36-40; 28:-18-20
  Ephesians 2:19; 4:11-16 John 17:1-26; Acts 1:8; 2:41-47; 20:24 Psalm 34:3; 122:1 150-6