What We Believe

The Word of God

We believe that the whole Bible is the Word of God, verbally inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Matt. 5:18)

The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they perform distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 13:14)

God the Father

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in all of his attributes. We believe that He concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (1 John 4:10; Matt. 6:9 & 32; Gal. 3:26)

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His personal visible return to earth.
(John 1:1-4, 3:16; Matt. 1:18-25; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:20-21; Heb. 7:23-25; Acts 1:11)

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who was sent from the Father in the name of the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He also, in the present age, regenerates all who believe, baptizes them into the body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them until the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon each one, and fills those who yield to Him. We believe He is the abiding comforter, helper, teacher, and guide. (John 3:8, 14:16, 16:7-14; 1 Cor. 12:4-13; Eph. 4:30, 5:18)

Salvation

We believe that all people by nature and by choice are sinners, but that “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We believe salvation is a gift of God’s grace and is received by people through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure forever in Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior will rejoice forever in God’s presence. We believe that those who do not trust Christ as savior will be forever separated from God. (Gen. 3:1-24; Rom 3:23, 5:12, 8:1 & 29-30; John 1:12, 3:16, 10:29-30, 14:2-3; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:11-15)

The Church

We believe in the universal Church, a living body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church which is an assembly of believers in a certain place who are organized, who practice the ordinances, and who seek to do God’s will on earth. (Matt. 16:18, 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Phil 1:1; Heb. 13:7; 1 Cor 11:23-26)

Christian Conduct

We believe that Christians should live to bring praise and honor to God, to contribute to the well-being of others, to be faithful stewards of their resources, and to seek spiritual growth for themselves and others. (1 Cor. 10:31; Gal. 6:10; 1 Pet. 4:10; Eph. 4:11-16)

The Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus has committed two ordinances to the local church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water in the name of the triune God and that it represents being buried with Christ into death and being raised up in newness of life. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of Christ and his death. This ordinance is, then, a simple, yet majestic, memorial to the atoning sacrifice of the Lord. We believe that these two ordinances should be preserved and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt. 26:26-29, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 8:35-38, Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Rom. 6:1-11)

Religious Liberty

We believe that every Christian has direct relations with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith. We believe that each church is independent and must be free from interference by an ecclesiastical or political authority. We believe that Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage from the other. (1 Cor. 4:1-5; Matt. 22:17-21; Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 4:18-21)

Church Cooperation

We believe that churches can promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or general conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in such an organization is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with other churches and fellowships on a voluntary, independent basis. We also believe that a church of Jesus Christ must keep itself separate from other churches or organizations which do not teach salvation by faith in Jesus alone. (Acts 9:31; 20:28-32; Rom. 16:17; Gal. 1:6-9)

The Last Things

We believe in the personal, visible, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ for his bride, the Church, and his return to earth to set up his kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the judgment, the eternal happiness of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. (1 Thess. 1:9-10, 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 20:6 & 11-15; Phil. 1:23; John 14:2-3)

Church Documents

Constitution - Approved 2024
Distinctives - Approved 2024