Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired word of God. The Bible is God’s revelation to man, the story of man’s fall and redemption. We believe that the Scripture is profitable for all doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction for living. (1 Tim. 3:15-17, 2 Pet. 1:21)

We Believe in the One True God of the Bible, manifest in three distinct persons: namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as seen multiple times throughout Scripture. (Gen. 1:26, Matt. 28:19, John 14:16-17, Luke 3:22)

We believe He was born of the virgin Mary, that He lived a sinless life, and in the authenticity of His miracles, His all-sufficient atoning death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to Heaven. (Matt. 1:23, Heb. 4:14-15, Acts 10:38, John 19:30, Rom. 5:8-9, 1 Pet. 1:18-20, Matt. 28:6, 1 Cor. 15:4, Acts 1:9, Phil. 2:9-11)

We believe that man was created in the image of God, either male or female, according to Scripture. However, man was created with a free moral will. Upon disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, man incurred upon himself the penalty of spiritual death, i.e., separation from God. This penalty would also be passed on to all men and women born thereafter. (Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:17, Psalms 139:13-14, Rom. 5:12)

We believe that although man has fallen from his original, God-designed state, God has provided a way of salvation for all who would accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior. This comes about by repenting of sin and believing in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The moment this is truly done, salvation is secure. (John 3:16, Rom. 10:9-13)

We believe that while performing the act of an ordinance does not guarantee salvation, we believe those who experience salvation should practice such ceremonies as commanded in Holy Scripture. These ordinances are as follows:

A. Baptism in water by immersion shortly after salvation is experienced. This is a representation of what has happened to the believer spiritually. It is also done to show the world that they have died with Christ and have been raised with Him in newness of life. We do not believe in infant baptism. (Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:41, 8:12)
v B. Holy Communion, also referred to as “the Lord’s Supper,” which should be practiced regularly. (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God available to all New Testament believers. This experience is separate and distinct from the “new birth” experience. We believe that this gift is given to believers, equipping them with power for service, and should be earnestly sought after by those who have not yet received it. This gift is also given in order to aid the believer in practicing the spiritual gifts found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, along with many other benefits and blessings. This was the normal experience of the early church, and nowhere in Scripture is it declared that the experience of this gift has ceased. We believe that according to Scripture, the physical evidence that one has received the baptism with the Holy Spirit is speaking with other tongues. (Acts 1:4, 2:1-4, 10:44-46, 1 Cor. 12:1-31)

We believe that sanctification is the truth that the believer is to be separated from that which is evil and dedicated to God, thereby living a life of holiness. Sanctification is solely a work of the Holy Spirit rather than a work of our own efforts; it is both an instantaneous and lifelong process. This principle is realized by the believer expressing faith in the fact that everything we need for life and godliness was purchased by Christ through His finished work on the cross, along with the believer reckoning himself or herself to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord on a daily basis. (Rom. 6:1-11, 1 Cor. 6:11, 1 Thess. 4:2, 2 Pet. 1:3)

We believe the church is made up of all born-again believers worldwide who have committed their lives to the cause of Christ in living and expanding the Gospel message. The church body should take the time to fellowship and worship God together. (Eph. 4:1-6, Heb. 10:25)

We believe that while the church body as a whole is of vast significance, God has given each individual in the body of Christ a particular ministry. While each member of the body plays a different role, the ultimate goal of ministry is to: 1. fulfill the Great Commission, which can be carried out in the workplace, school, home, or even in a church building itself, and 2. “For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ,” which is brought about through what is known as the “fivefold ministry.” (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-18, Eph. 4:11)

We believe that divine healing has been purchased by and made available to the believer through the atonement. We believe Jesus is alive and able to heal, as is frequently seen throughout the four Gospels. Divine healing is received and accomplished by faith. (Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 8:16-17, 9:29, Acts 10:38-40)

We believe in the rapture of the church when all born-again believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. We also believe in the Second Coming of Christ, which includes His visible return to this Earth with His saints in order to exact judgment and usher in the millennial reign, which will last for a period of one thousand years. (1 Cor. 15:51-57, 1 Thess. 4:15-18, Jude 14, Rev. 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:4-5)

We believe that there will be a final judgment in which all unrighteous men and women who have ever lived will stand before God to give an account for their lives. Those whose names are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be consigned to the Lake of Fire, along with the devil, the antichrist, and the false prophet, forever and ever. (Matt. 7:21-23, Mark 9:43-48, Rev. 19:20, 20:7-10, 21:8)

Following these events, we believe that Christ will reign supreme forever in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new…” (Rev. 21:1-6, 2 Pet. 3:12-13, Rev. Chpt. 22)