Beliefs

The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that Scripture in its entirety originated with God, and that it was given through the instrumentality of chosen men. Scripture thus, at one and the same time, speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:10-12, 2 Peter 1:20-21

We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and without error in the original writings. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

Matthew 5:17-20

We believe there is one true and holy God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and characteristics of personality.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 28:19

In the beginning, God created out of nothing, the world and all the things therein, thus manifesting the glory of his infinite power, wisdom, and goodness. By his sovereign power, he continues to sustain his creation and to fulfill his redemptive purposes.

Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-2, Acts 17:28, Hebrews 1:3

Jesus Christ is the eternal second person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by the miraculous conception of the Holy Spirit, being born of a virgin. Thus, he is fully God and fully Man.

John 1:1-2, Luke 1:26-37

He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute, according to the Scriptures. Thus, he satisfied divine justice and accomplished salvation for all who trust in him alone.

Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 10:5-18

He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which he lived and died. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where he, the only mediator between God and Man, continually makes intercession for his own. He shall come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.

Luke 24, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews 7:23-25, Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the mind of sinners, awakens in them recognition of their need of a Savior, and regenerates them.

John 3:5-8, John 16:7-15

At the point of salvation, he permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength, and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with gifts for the building up of his people. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scriptures. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father.

John 14:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 5:22-25, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:18

The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with himself. Originally created in God’s image to have fellowship with God, Man defied God, choosing to go his independent way. He thus became sinful, suffering alienation from God and the corruption of his human nature.

John 5:39-40, Ephesians 2:1-3

The fall of mankind took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and are thus in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of mankind is, then, wholly a work of God’s free grace, not the result, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness, and must be personally appropriated by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3, Romans 3:9-26, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:4-10

When God begins a saving work in the heart of any person, he gives assurance in his Word that he will continue performing it until the day of its completion. The fact that God has begun and is continuing such work in an individual’s life is demonstrated by that person’s perseverance in the faith.

Philippians 1:6, John 6:38-40, John 10:27-29, 1 Peter 1:3-5

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God into everlasting condemnation, God’s judgment thus revealing his just response to their own rejection of God. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life.

Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:11-15, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

The corollary of union with Jesus Christ is that all believers become members of his body, the Church. There is one true Church universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

1 Corinthians 12-13, Ephesians 4:3-6

Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and communion as ordinances established by Jesus Christ, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world.

Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:23-25, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the Church. Under the watch of elders, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

1 Timothy 3:1-13, Ephesians 1:11-12, 1 Peter 2:9

God established marriage as a covenant relationship mirroring the intimate union and profound love that exists between Christ and the church. When a man and woman marry, they become “one flesh,” a single entity comprised of two people, just as Christ and the church are a single body comprised of two parties. The Church believes in the institution of marriage as established in Scripture; that a marriage is the union of one man and one woman; this is the only legitimate sexual relationship. Accordingly, this Church will not recognize any other union as a legitimate marriage; our Church and staff shall not perform or participate in any same sex unions or ceremonies of any kind; and Church facilities shall not be used for that purpose.

Ephesians 5:31-32, Mark 10:5-9, Genesis 2:24

By using covenant language for marriage, the Bible sounds a clear word on the blessedness of this union. Covenants in general provided people with terms for mutual peace, joy, security, and prosperity. In the same way, the marriage covenant creates a sacred union between two people for their mutual benefit and experience of God’s blessing.

Proverbs 2:17, Malachi. 2:14

But by using covenant language, the Bible also sounds a clear word on the solemnity of marriage. In history past, covenants were deep and binding. They were not merely made, they were “cut.” In the Old Testament, a covenant relationship was ratified by butchering
an animal, laying its pieces in two rows, and walking between them. In this way, a life-and-death seriousness was associated with the agreement, and a visual reminder was created of the deserved fate of any person who might choose to break it.

A covenant is what the Lord established with Israel at Mt. Sinai, swearing by his own name to be their faithful God. And a covenant is what he established with us through his Son, “cut to pieces” to reconcile us with the Father.

Given these associations between marriage, covenant, Christ, and salvation, we understand why the writer of Hebrews would say, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Hebrews 13:4

God intends for marriage obligations to endure until death. Since God alone forges a marriage, ideally he alone should end it. “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Romans 7:2, Mark 10:9

Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience in individual areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she is ultimately responsible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

We believe this statement of faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. All members shall refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in this statement of faith in such a way as to cause dissension.

1 Timothy 1:3-7, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 16