WHAT WE BELIEVE

Question 1

1. THE SCRIPTURES

Answer

We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17) and the product of Spirit-controlled men (II Peter 1:19-21), and therefore, has truth without any error (John 17:17).

We believe the sixty-six books of the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions, shall be tried (Jude 1:3).

Question 2

2. GOD

Answer

We believe God is the eternal, uncreated Creator and Sustainer of all things (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16–17). He is the First and the Last, and beside him there is no god (Isaiah 44:6). This one God exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 3:16–17) and each member of the Trinity is fully God.

God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), omniscient (Isaiah 46:10), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7–8), omnipotent (Job 42:2; Luke 1:37), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), gracious (Exodus 33:19), and loving (1 John 4:8).

A. GOD THE FATHER

We believe God the Father is the infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that comes to pass, that He concerns himself mercifully with the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; John 6:27; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6).

B. GOD THE SON

We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, that He came in the flesh and was born of a virgin, and lived a sinless, miraculous life (John 8:46, 18:38b, 19:4). He was in very nature God, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:4–5). He taught that He alone was the means by which man would be reconciled to God. He believed and proved that He was equal to God, eliciting the anger of His enemies according to the predestined purpose of God (John 5:18, 10:30–33, 14:6; Acts 4:28). He was tempted in every way, just as we are, and yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

According to the Father’s perfect plan laid out in eternity past, He gave Himself up freely as a ransom for our sins (Mark 10:45; John 10:18; Acts 4:28; Ephesians 1:3–6; Philippians 2:6–11). He was crucified by sinful men (Acts 2:36), and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). Today, He sits at the right hand of the Father until His second coming, for which we expectantly wait (Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10; Revelation 1:7).

C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

s given as our Helper (John 14:26) and is the Deposit who guarantees the inheritance of every believer (Ephesians 1:13–14). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7–11).

He is the leading agent in the planting and building up of the church, since His job is to testify of Jesus and to the truthfulness of the Gospel (Acts 1:8, John 15:26). The Holy Spirit gives gifts to each believer for the edification of the church and the proclamation of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:22). While every believer is told to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit alone decides which spiritual gifts each believer receives (1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 11).

Question 3

3. CREATION

Answer

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1-2), including all life (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3), "each after its own kind" (Genesis 1:24), by direct act, and not by the process of evolution (Psalm 33:6).

Question 4

4. MAN

Answer

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the entire human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19).

Question 5

5. SALVATION

Answer

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for forgiveness of sins and salvation, which is the free gift of God’s grace. Salvation is affected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and cannot be secured by man’s works or personal merit. Salvation is only appropriated by a person placing his faith in the finished work of Christ.

Repentance is a turning toward God and away from sin and is a part of but not separate from believing faith. “The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” and those who receive Jesus Christ by faith are born again, have their sins forgiven, become children of God, are a new creation in Christ, and “are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption” being kept by the power of God (Ephesians 1:7;13-14; John 1:12-13; John 14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 8:14-17, 31-39; John 10:27-29; Acts 26:20; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Question 6

6. CHURCH

Answer

We believe that the local church is God’s channel of outreach and blessing in the community; that the local church is a body of born-again believers, baptized by immersion, and ordained of the Lord for mutual fellowship and building up in the faith, and for the spread of the gospel at home and around the globe. God has graciously given each believer spiritual gifts, which include but are not limited to those listed in Romans 12:4–8, 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 and 27–28, Ephesians 4:11–12, and 1 Peter 4:9–11. These gifts are to be used to honor God, to build up the church, and to evangelize the lost; they should never be used to draw attention to one’s self (1 Corinthians 13:1–3, 14:12).

As Christ’s ambassadors, believers have the joy and privilege of caring for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed.

Question 7

7. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Answer

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.

The members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination (Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 8:36-38; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-28).

Question 8

8. LEADERSHIP

Answer

We believe God has graciously given ordained leaders to serve the church. Elders are overseers and servant-leaders. The pastor and elders are set aside by God to lead the church, to equip the saints, to preach the Word, and to pray (Ephesians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 3:1–7, 5:17–18, Titus 2).

Their leading, equipping, preaching, and praying are to be done humbly in service to God and to His church. Leaders are to shepherd the flock willingly, not under compulsion or for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in their charge, but serving as examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2–3). In response, believers are exhorted to submit and to obey their leadership (Hebrews 13:17).

Question 9

9. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Answer

We believe that civil government is appointed for the interests and good order of human society (Romans 13:1), and it guarantees liberty of conscience. This guarantee consists of absolute constraint of the government to the civil realm, refraining from interfering or influencing the spiritual realm of the Church.

Believers are to pray for civil leaders, conscientiously honor them, and obey them (Matthew 22:21), except in matters opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ and in violation of Scripture (Acts 5:29; 4:19-20).

Question 10

10. ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN

Answer

We believe both men and women were created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore have equal worth and dignity. We also believe that men and women have distinct roles in the home and in the church, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have distinct roles in the Trinity (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24-25).

In the home, husbands are called to love their wives as themselves, and wives are called to submit to and respect their own husbands (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-33).

In the church, every believer is called to use his or her spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. Women are permitted to teach; however, they are not permitted to seek positions of leadership over men (1 Corinthians 11:4; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Acts 18:26, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 16, Acts 2:17-18, Philippians 4:2-3; 1 Timothy 2:11-14).

By submitting to God’s wisdom in these areas, men and women are able to flourish in both the home and the church.

Question 11

11. MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

Answer

A. MARRIAGE

We believe marriage was ordained by God at creation to be between one man and one woman until they are parted by death. Any other form of “marriage” is contrary to the Scriptures. Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church, and thus serves as a living symbol of the Gospel (Gen. 1:26-28, 2:18-25; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-33).

B. DIVORCE

Though never required, we believe that divorce is permissible in cases of adultery or abandonment (Mark 10:11-12; Matt. 19:1-12; 1 Cor. 7:10-16).

Question 12

12. HUMAN SEXUALITY

Answer

We believe that God created men and women in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman, as determined biologically at birth, within the confines of marriage (1 Cor. 7:2).

We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Gen. 1:27, 31; Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 13:4).

Question 13

13. EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP

Answer

We believe that the church and individual believers are God’s means for proclaiming the Gospel by which He draws people to Himself, regenerates souls, and grants repentance and faith unto sanctifying perseverance. The proclamation of the biblical Gospel to all peoples is the joyful duty of every Christian in obedience to the commission of Jesus to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach them to obey His commands (Romans 10:14–15; Matthew 28:18–20).

The local church and every individual believer have a responsibility to obey and to teach the commands of Christ to those under their care.

Question 14

14. ETERNITY

Answer

We believe the full consummation of the Kingdom of God awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age. We believe that every person will spend eternity in a literal place of blessing called Heaven or a literal place of cursing called Hell (Matthew 25:31–33).

Every person who has repented of sin and has believed the Gospel will spend eternity in Heaven worshiping God and enjoying His blessings (Matthew 25:34–40; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3–5). Every person who has not repented of sin and believed the Gospel will spend eternity in Hell enduring God’s righteous wrath (Matthew 25:41–46, Ephesians 5:6, Revelation 21:8).

As such, we desire that every person examine themselves and test themselves to see whether they are in the faith revealed in the Scriptures, and we encourage every person to repent of sin and to believe the Gospel (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 13:5).

Question 15

1. THE SCRIPTURES

Answer

We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17) and the product of Spirit-controlled men (II Peter 1:19-21), and therefore, has truth without any error (John 17:17).

We believe the sixty-six books of the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions, shall be tried (Jude 1:3).

Question 16

2. GOD

Answer

We believe God is the eternal, uncreated Creator and Sustainer of all things (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16–17). He is the First and the Last, and beside him there is no god (Isaiah 44:6). This one God exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 3:16–17) and each member of the Trinity is fully God.

God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), omniscient (Isaiah 46:10), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7–8), omnipotent (Job 42:2; Luke 1:37), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), gracious (Exodus 33:19), and loving (1 John 4:8).

A. GOD THE FATHER

We believe God the Father is the infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that comes to pass, that He concerns himself mercifully with the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; John 6:27; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6).

B. GOD THE SON

We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, that He came in the flesh and was born of a virgin, and lived a sinless, miraculous life (John 8:46, 18:38b, 19:4). He was in very nature God, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:4–5). He taught that He alone was the means by which man would be reconciled to God. He believed and proved that He was equal to God, eliciting the anger of His enemies according to the predestined purpose of God (John 5:18, 10:30–33, 14:6; Acts 4:28). He was tempted in every way, just as we are, and yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

According to the Father’s perfect plan laid out in eternity past, He gave Himself up freely as a ransom for our sins (Mark 10:45; John 10:18; Acts 4:28; Ephesians 1:3–6; Philippians 2:6–11). He was crucified by sinful men (Acts 2:36), and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). Today, He sits at the right hand of the Father until His second coming, for which we expectantly wait (Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10; Revelation 1:7).

C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

s given as our Helper (John 14:26) and is the Deposit who guarantees the inheritance of every believer (Ephesians 1:13–14). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7–11).

He is the leading agent in the planting and building up of the church, since His job is to testify of Jesus and to the truthfulness of the Gospel (Acts 1:8, John 15:26). The Holy Spirit gives gifts to each believer for the edification of the church and the proclamation of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:22). While every believer is told to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit alone decides which spiritual gifts each believer receives (1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 11).

Question 17

3. CREATION

Answer

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1-2), including all life (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3), "each after its own kind" (Genesis 1:24), by direct act, and not by the process of evolution (Psalm 33:6).

Question 18

4. MAN

Answer

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the entire human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19).

Question 19

5. SALVATION

Answer

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for forgiveness of sins and salvation, which is the free gift of God’s grace. Salvation is affected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and cannot be secured by man’s works or personal merit. Salvation is only appropriated by a person placing his faith in the finished work of Christ.

Repentance is a turning toward God and away from sin and is a part of but not separate from believing faith. “The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” and those who receive Jesus Christ by faith are born again, have their sins forgiven, become children of God, are a new creation in Christ, and “are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption” being kept by the power of God (Ephesians 1:7;13-14; John 1:12-13; John 14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 8:14-17, 31-39; John 10:27-29; Acts 26:20; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Question 20

6. CHURCH

Answer

We believe that the local church is God’s channel of outreach and blessing in the community; that the local church is a body of born-again believers, baptized by immersion, and ordained of the Lord for mutual fellowship and building up in the faith, and for the spread of the gospel at home and around the globe. God has graciously given each believer spiritual gifts, which include but are not limited to those listed in Romans 12:4–8, 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 and 27–28, Ephesians 4:11–12, and 1 Peter 4:9–11. These gifts are to be used to honor God, to build up the church, and to evangelize the lost; they should never be used to draw attention to one’s self (1 Corinthians 13:1–3, 14:12).

As Christ’s ambassadors, believers have the joy and privilege of caring for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed.

Question 21

7. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Answer

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.

The members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination (Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 8:36-38; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-28).

Question 22

8. LEADERSHIP

Answer

We believe God has graciously given ordained leaders to serve the church. Elders are overseers and servant-leaders. The pastor and elders are set aside by God to lead the church, to equip the saints, to preach the Word, and to pray (Ephesians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 3:1–7, 5:17–18, Titus 2).

Their leading, equipping, preaching, and praying are to be done humbly in service to God and to His church. Leaders are to shepherd the flock willingly, not under compulsion or for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in their charge, but serving as examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2–3). In response, believers are exhorted to submit and to obey their leadership (Hebrews 13:17).

Question 23

9. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Answer

We believe that civil government is appointed for the interests and good order of human society (Romans 13:1), and it guarantees liberty of conscience. This guarantee consists of absolute constraint of the government to the civil realm, refraining from interfering or influencing the spiritual realm of the Church.

Believers are to pray for civil leaders, conscientiously honor them, and obey them (Matthew 22:21), except in matters opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ and in violation of Scripture (Acts 5:29; 4:19-20).

Question 24

10. ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN

Answer

We believe both men and women were created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore have equal worth and dignity. We also believe that men and women have distinct roles in the home and in the church, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have distinct roles in the Trinity (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24-25).

In the home, husbands are called to love their wives as themselves, and wives are called to submit to and respect their own husbands (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-33).

In the church, every believer is called to use his or her spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. Women are permitted to teach; however, they are not permitted to seek positions of leadership over men (1 Corinthians 11:4; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Acts 18:26, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 16, Acts 2:17-18, Philippians 4:2-3; 1 Timothy 2:11-14).

By submitting to God’s wisdom in these areas, men and women are able to flourish in both the home and the church.

Question 25

11. MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

Answer

A. MARRIAGE

We believe marriage was ordained by God at creation to be between one man and one woman until they are parted by death. Any other form of “marriage” is contrary to the Scriptures. Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church, and thus serves as a living symbol of the Gospel (Gen. 1:26-28, 2:18-25; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-33).

B. DIVORCE

Though never required, we believe that divorce is permissible in cases of adultery or abandonment (Mark 10:11-12; Matt. 19:1-12; 1 Cor. 7:10-16).

Question 26

12. HUMAN SEXUALITY

Answer

We believe that God created men and women in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman, as determined biologically at birth, within the confines of marriage (1 Cor. 7:2).

We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Gen. 1:27, 31; Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 13:4).

Question 27

13. EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP

Answer

We believe that the church and individual believers are God’s means for proclaiming the Gospel by which He draws people to Himself, regenerates souls, and grants repentance and faith unto sanctifying perseverance. The proclamation of the biblical Gospel to all peoples is the joyful duty of every Christian in obedience to the commission of Jesus to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach them to obey His commands (Romans 10:14–15; Matthew 28:18–20).

The local church and every individual believer have a responsibility to obey and to teach the commands of Christ to those under their care.

Question 28

14. ETERNITY

Answer

We believe the full consummation of the Kingdom of God awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age. We believe that every person will spend eternity in a literal place of blessing called Heaven or a literal place of cursing called Hell (Matthew 25:31–33).

Every person who has repented of sin and has believed the Gospel will spend eternity in Heaven worshiping God and enjoying His blessings (Matthew 25:34–40; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3–5). Every person who has not repented of sin and believed the Gospel will spend eternity in Hell enduring God’s righteous wrath (Matthew 25:41–46, Ephesians 5:6, Revelation 21:8).

As such, we desire that every person examine themselves and test themselves to see whether they are in the faith revealed in the Scriptures, and we encourage every person to repent of sin and to believe the Gospel (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 13:5).

WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHO WE ARE

Download our Statement of Faith

WHO WE ARE

A. GOD THE FATHER

B. GOD THE SON

C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. MARRIAGE

B. DIVORCE

A. GOD THE FATHER

B. GOD THE SON

C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. MARRIAGE

B. DIVORCE