What we believe:
In essential beliefs we have unity.
We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, …there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.
– Ephesians 4:4-6, NLT
In non-essential beliefs —we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give account of himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
– Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22, LB
In all our beliefs —we show love.
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.
– 1 Corinthians 13:2, NLT
The Essentials We Believe:
About God
God is the Creator and the Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct, yet fully God and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. Being of one substance with the Father, Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to the earth to reign as King of kings and the Lord of lords.
(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, being of one substance with the Father and the Son of God, is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is godly. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1)
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of the truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
About Man
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. This attitude separates man from God.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23)
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvements or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
About Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in his salvation for eternity. 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 this security.
(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:2; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About Eternity
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.
To be eternally separated from God is to be banished to a place called Hell. Because those in Hell have rejected God’s offer of forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ, none of the goodness of God is present. Hell is therefore a place of eternal darkness, loneliness, torment and unquenchable thirst
To be eternally in union with God is to have eternal life in a place called Heaven. Heaven is described in the Bible as a place of light, beautiful, mysterious and full of life. There is no more death or crying or pain.
Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.