Beliefs

Our mission is to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ

 
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God is the creator and ruler of the universe.

He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God.

  • Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:22

  • Psalm 90:2

  • Matthew 28:19

  • Mark 12:29

  • 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus is the Son of God.

He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit, God incarnate. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead, demonstrating his power over sin and death, and ascended to the Father. He will return again to receive the saved.

  • Matthew 1:22-23

  • Isaiah 9:6

  • John 1:1-5, 14, 14:3, 6

  • Hebrews 4:14-15

  • 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

  • Romans 1:3-4

  • Acts 1:9-11

  • Colossians 2:9-10

  • 1 Timothy 6:14-15

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation.

He is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under his control daily.

  • Acts 1:8

  • John 14:16-17, 16:7-13

  • Galatians 5:25

  • 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16

  • Ephesians 1:13

  • 2 Corinthians 13:14

  • 1 Peter 1:2

The Bible is God’s word to us.

The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16

  • 2 Peter 1:20-21

  • Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160

  • Proverbs 30:5

  • Isaiah 55:11

People are loved and valued by God.

People are made in the image of God, to be like him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.

  • Genesis 1:27

  • Isaiah 53:6

  • Romans 3:23

  • Isaiah 59:1-2

  • Psalm 139:13-16

  • Colossians 2:13-15

  • John 3:16

People were created to exist forever, with or without God.

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, 14:17

  • Romans 6:23

  • Revelation 20:15

  • Philippians 2:5-11

  • Matthew 25:34, 41

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 from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Jesus commands all disciples to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit later directed through Peter that baptism was the proper response to God for a heart that is convicted. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, we are in a saved relationship with Christ and begin a life of obedience to Christ's commands.

  • Romans 6:23

  • Ephesians 2:8-9

  • John 14:6

  • Romans 5:1, 8, 10:9-10

  • Matthew 28:18-20

  • Acts 2:38

  • Colossians 2:11-12

The church exists to fulfill God’s mission on earth.

Jesus’ church consists of all his followers throughout the world and exists to further his redemptive mission in the world. The Bible calls the church Jesus’ “bride,” representing the reciprocal love and commitment between Jesus and his church. It is also called Jesus’ “body,” representing the mutual mission of Jesus and his church. Jesus is the only “head” of his church, its supreme ruler and authority. The Father has delegated this authority to Jesus and the Holy Spirit empowers the church in Jesus’ love and mission.

  • Ephesians 1:22, 3:6, 10, 5:23-27

  • Romans 12:5

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2, 12:12-27

  • Colossians 1:18, 24

  • 1 Timothy 3:15

  • Revelation 1-3

In addition to essential beliefs, we have liberty in non-essential beliefs.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters… who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master servants stand or fall… so then each of us will give an account of ourselves to God… so whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.

  • Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

 

Jesus is the only head of the church, but elders are appointed to lead the local church.

Elders direct the affairs of the local church directly, or indirectly by hiring ministry staff and appointing volunteers to lead initiatives. A primary responsibility of the elders is to answer questions that come up in the course of community life. Sometimes cultural questions arise, and elders clarify the teaching of the church. A comprehensive list of the elders’ teachings from the Bible would be unwieldy, but the following beliefs are stated because they are frequently points of discussion in American society.

  • Marriage is ordained by God as a covenant union for life of one man and one woman. Marriage uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with his church. (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7-9, 1 Corinthians 7:2, Ephesians 5:21-32)

  • Sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin. (Hebrews 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Timothy 1:10, Romans 1:26-30, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

  • Human life begins at conception. (Psalms 139:13, Jeremiah 1:5)