Core Beliefs

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the final authority in our understanding of God and life. It is our supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It is a compilation of books and letters written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. God's word is our guide in this present life, our understanding of our next life, and our sword of protection agains the evil one.(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Ephesians 6:17) As the inspired word from God, the Bible is not meant to be bent or twisted to suit our beliefs, but rather must be diligently studied in its original context and meaning (Acts 17:10). We believe that the word of God is living and active, containing principles that transcend time and culture and an understandable message that can transform our world (2 Peter 1:19-20; Hebrews 4:12).

God, the Father, created the world and everything in it (Genesis 1 & 2; Revelation 4:11). He breathed life into man and in him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:24-28). The Father is slow to anger and abounding in grace and mercy (Numbers 14:18). He wishes that all people would repent of their sin and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). His mercy is balanced by his perfect justice, in which he disciplines us with love in his eternal attempt to win our hearts over to him (Isaiah 30:18; Hebrews 12:5-11). He showed you these things so you would know that the Lord is God and there is no other  (Deuteronomy 4:35, NLT).  We affirm our faith in the One, Eternal, Creator, Provider, Sustainer, and Lord of the world.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit comprise our triune God.  God is Sovereign and governs everything by His wisdom, purpose and goodness.  As the apostle Paul told the people in Athens, By his power we live and move and exist  (Acts 17:28, NCV).  He created humans in His image, but that image has been spoiled by sin, which is why our world is messy and groaning.  He is calling people out of the world for Himself, then sending His people back into the world to be His servants and witnesses to further His Kingdom, build up the body of Christ, and glorify His Name.

Jesus Christ is the son of God and he is God (John 1:1). He created the world and everything in it. Just like the Father, his desire is to save all mankind from sin (John 3:16-17). For this reason he humbled himself by giving up his rightful place in heaven and came down to earth becoming fully human, just like us (Philippians 2:5-11). He did this to experience our pain and loss and to sympathize with our weaknesses and struggles. Yet he still retained the fullness of God and lived a sinless life in order to become the perfect sacrifice for the sins of many. Jesus died on the cross for us; for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was buried in a tomb and rose from the dead on the third day, having overcome the forces of sin and death. He is the way, the truth, and the life and only through him can we find salvation and spiritual transformation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

The Holy Spirit was involved in the formation of the world as he moved over the waters from which the world was born (Genesis 1:2). Today, he is involved in the spiritual formation of every person when he baptizes us in the waters of baptism (Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13).  People who have become followers of Jesus are to live in holiness and obedience as they yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to dwell in those who are forgiven. The Holy Spirit transforms the believer in mind and lifestyle into the image of Jesus. He indwells each believer after baptism in accordance with the Holy Scripture and becomes their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for the building up of the local church. (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. We can never make up for our sin by living a good life or keeping perfectly religious commandments. Salvation is offered from God to everyone who puts their faith in Christ as Savior. The Bible teaches that this faith is expressed through confession, repentance and baptism. God forgives our sins and raises us to walk a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 1:16-17, 3:23-24, 5:1, 6:3-8, 23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:37-41; Matthew 28:19-20) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast  (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).  The mission of Jesus was to pay the price for our sin against God’s love and reconcile us to God, making us His adopted children.  To receive that priceless gift, we are to respond with faith.  Calling on the Lord through faith includes a belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  It includes repentance, a turning away from self-will, and submission to God’s will as we seek Him with all our hearts.  And it includes baptism in the Name of Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2).  With this, we are born anew, cleansed from sin, clothed with Christ, saved and added to the family of believers in order to live lives that continue the mission and ministry of Christ.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What’s more, you are his holy priests.  Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God  (1 Peter 2:5, NLT).  The Lord has given each member of His spiritual body gifts and abilities meant to edify, or build up, His Kingdom (places, like our hearts, in which He reigns).  Through followers of Christ, God continues the mission to reconcile lost people to Him and restore a broken world to its original design.  Followers serve as living sacrifices to please and honor our Lord.  Using our Spirit-given gifts, we work with the body of believers to build one another up in faith and spiritual maturity.  Using many of those same gifts, we work outwardly to love and reach lost people and minister to a world that struggles under the curse of sin.  We speak truth in love to a world that has lost connection with God.  We gather regularly, particularly on Sunday, to refocus on our Lord, revive our spirits, and remember Christ in communion.