I believe the Bible is inspired by God, without error in the original manuscripts, and the final authority on all matters about which it speaks. I believe that the Scriptures were given for our inspiration, encouragement, and practical instruction. They are the source of spiritual growth and the basis for personal and corporate conduct within the New Testament church. (Psalm 19:7-11; Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Acts 1:16; 17:2-3; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
I believe that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, rules supremely over it, desires the worship of His creation, and pursues personal relationship with mankind, the pinnacle of His creation. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:14-16; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6)
Person of Christ – I believe that Jesus Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah. He came into this world to reveal the Father and save the lost from their sin. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born physicallly of the virgin Mary, but was sinless in nature and in His life on earth. Therefore, He was worthy to give His life as a ransom for all people and die for the sin of the world (Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-2, 14,18; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 1:3). I believe Jesus functioned in both the divine and human realms (Luke 2:40; John 1:11; Acts 2:22-24; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 2:14; 4:15). I believe that He rose from the dead in a glorified body and that those who believe in Him will also have a resurrected body (John 20:20; Philippians 3:20-21).
Work of Christ – I believe that Jesus Christ demonstrated the infinite love of God by becoming the sacrificial Lamb and, by dying, took away the sin of the world. Through His death, He took the penalty for sin which God’s holy, righteous nature demanded. He died in man’s place and by His death He became the Savior of the lost. I believe that His death and resurrection were fully accepted by God the Father as sufficient payment for the sin of mankind (John 1:29; Romans 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 3:18). I believe in salvation by grace through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ through His life, death, and resurrection (Ephesians 2:8-9). Presently Christ functions as Head over the church, which is His body, and in this ministry He intercedes for His people as their Great High Priest (Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
Return of Christ – I believe that the present Christian life both individually and corporately should be lived in light of Jesus’ promised return. At any moment, known only to God, He could descend from heaven to gather the Church together with Him for eternity. All Christians should live in a state of readiness as we live out our brief lives upon this earth. God’s future plan for His church provides hope and perspective as we serve the Lord in anticipation of His return and all that is to come. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation 22:20).
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the gift God gives to every born again believer. His presence leads us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is a source of spiritual life, reminds us that we are God’s children, helps us in our weakness, and intercedes for us. His role is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He regenerates the unbeliever, seals and baptizes the believer with power from on high, and sets the believer apart to a holy life. At the new birth He baptizes the believer into the body of Christ and comes to indwell him fully and permanently. (John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 8:9-11, 16,26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Titus 3:5)
I believe that the first man and woman were created in God’s image and thus all humans have great value in God’s sight. But when the first couple sinned, they brought both physical and spiritual death to the human race. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature separated from God. They live in darkness, commit acts of sin in their lives, and need to be reconciled to God. The only exception is Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, who lived a sinless life and in loving obedience to His loving Father paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross to pay for all the sins of all mankind thereby reconciling to God all those who believe in His Son. This is the work of God’s grace to save and restore men and women created in His image, to bring them to light and give spiritual life where there was only spiritual death. He has made a way for us not only to be restored to right relationship as the sons and daughters of God, but also to join Him in building His kingdom on the earth. We have eternal life through Him and that life begins here as we live out the purpose of God in our lives today. (Genesis 1:26; 2:17; 3; 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:6, 16; 5:40; 6:35; Romans 3:10-19, 23-26; 8:6-7; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 3:8)
I believe that as followers of Christ our calling is to walk worthy of the Gospel of Christ, which is a call to holy living. Though we desire to live a holy life for Christ, we recognize we are in a spiritual battle. We are opposed by the devil,* our own flesh, and a worldly culture that challenges and tempts us to live contrary to our calling. I believe that sinless perfection is impossible in this life and that Christians still experience sin and suffering in this world. But, in His grace, God has made provision for us to live an abundant, God-honoring life through the Holy Spirit, who lives in our hearts and empowers us. As we resist the enemy and our fleshly desires and yield to the Holy Spirit, He gives us power that enables us to walk in Him and not give in to the opposition and temptations. (Romans 6:11-13; 8:1-17; 12:1-2; Galations 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10: 3:1-10: 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 1:14-16: 1 John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)
* I believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race (Genesis 3:1-5). Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man. He has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20).
I believe the Church, both worldwide and local, should be a witness to the love of God for all the world as manifested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that every person who has believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has accepted by faith His finished work on the cross as their gift of salvation is a member of the Universal church, which began at Pentecost. As a Christian, each believer is a member of the Church regardless of their standing or membership in localized assembly of believers. I believe that the Holy Spirit places each person into this Church at the point of salvation without regard for gender, ethnicity, class, or culture (Matthew 16:16-18; 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 1:13-14; Colossians 3:11).
I believe the Church should be consistent in celebrating the work of Christ while waiting for His return. This can be done through consistent gathering together for prayer, fellowship, and teaching amongst the body of Christ. (Luke 22:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; 16:32-33; 18:7-8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 1:4-14; 18-23; 4:3-10; Hebrews 10:24-25).