Statement of Faith
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We encourage all of the members of our church to diligently study and meditate on the Bible for their own personal growth. As we study, we realize that life is not found in the book, but rather in its Author. We understand that it does not provide answers to all of our questions (i.e. who to marry, what job to take, where to live, etc.) but provides the principles and boundaries that all true guidance must fall within. (Acts 17:11, Rom. 16:25-26, 1 Thess. 2:13, II Tim. 3:16-17, II Peter 1:19-21)
2. We believe there is one eternal, almighty and perfect God, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We recognize God as the Creator and Supreme Ruler of the universe. We do not presume to understand everything about Him, as our finite minds are not capable of comprehending such a wonderful mystery. We approach Him in humility, remembering that we are His creation, and without Him we are but dust. (Gen. 1:1, 26, Deut. 6:4, Matt. 28:19, John 15:26, I Cor. 8:6)
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
As a church we long to have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus. We want to know Him as the Living God, not as just a historical figure who set a good example for us to follow. We are grateful that He has already done all the work, and all we have to do is abide in Him. As a church, we long for His appearing, when we will see Him face to face. (John 1:3014, Matt. 1:18-25, I Tim. 3:16, Heb. 2:14, 4:14-15, I Peter 2:21-25, I John 2:1-2, I Cor. 15:3-8, Phil. 2:5-11, Acts 1:10-11)
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential, and that this salvation is received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah, Savior and Lord, and not a result of good works.
In ministering to others we believe in God's power to convict and convince. We speak the truth in love, but allow for the Holy Spirit to bring a person to repentance. We do not attempt to convince or assure people of their salvation, but allow the Holy Spirit to confirm His work in their hearts. God is the only judge of a person's heart and standing. (Rom. 3:10-23, John 3:3, Acts 2:36-38, Rom. 10:8-13, Eph. 2:8-10, Gal 2:16, Titus 3:4-5)
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life and be empowered for service.
At conversion, every believer is indwelt by and sealed with the Holy Spirit, but there is a second experience of being baptized or immersed in the Holy Spirit. It's in this filling that we are empowered for service. (John 16:12-15, I Cor. 12:1-14, Rom 8:9-11, Acts 1:8, 8:14-17, 19:1-6)
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
The Bible teaches that there is a literal heaven and hell. We believe the greatest blessing or reward of heaven is God Himself, and that the worst part of hell is separation from God. As a church we prefer heaven over hell. (I Cor. 15:42-44, I Thess. 4:16-17, Mark 16:15-16, John 3:16-18, 5:28-29)
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We teach that every believer is a member of the universal body of Christ. Therefore we fellowship with, work with, and fondly refer to all believers as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Like Jesus, we pray that we may all be one, and work to see the leaders and members of each local church serving toether to fulfill the purposes of God in our generation. (John 13:34-35, 17:20-23, Rom. 12:4-6, I Cor. 1:10, 12:12-27, Gal. 3:28, Eph. 4:3-16)
8. We believe Jesus is Savior.
This is the very heart of the gospel, the good news. While we aimlessly wandered about trapped in sin, sickness, and despair, Jesus sought us out and saved us. He delivered us from the bondage of sin, from the power of the devil, from sickness, disease, and from the hopelessness and unrest that made life unbearable. (Is. 53:4-6, Matt. 1:21, John 3:16-17, Acts 3:20-21, 4:12)
9. We believe Jesus is Lord.
Not only is Jesus our Savior, but He is also our Lord. The true delivering power of the gospel is only released as we surrender our whole lives to His authority and control. Countless numbers of people have not experienced the joys and blessings of salvation because they have looked to Him only as Savior, but not Lord. "Thy will be done," not "My will be done," is the proper attitude for us to have. (Luke 6:46-49, Acts 2:36, Rom. 10:9, Phil. 2:9-11, Rev. 19:16)
10. We believe in two baptisms: the first in water, the second in the Holy Spirit.
The word baptism means "to dip in" or "to immerse," and it is used in reference to two major events in a believer's life. The first is the baptism in water, the second is the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The Bible clearly teaches that we should be baptized in water, and this is wholeheartedly practiced by our church. We believe that true baptism must follow conversion, and should be by immersion in water. Although it is not required for salvation, it is an expected step in obedience for a Christian. (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38, 41, 10:48, 22:16, Rom. 6:3-7, Col. 2:11-13)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the empowering of the believer by the Spirit. We beleive that the power to heal the sick, cast out demons, speak in tongues, and minister with the gifts of the Holy Spirit are released through this filling. These things are available for all born-again believers, and not just for a chosen few. All that is required is that we would ask and receive. (Joel 2:28, Luke 11:11-13, Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 19:1-6, I Cor. 12:4-11)
11. We believe in the priesthood of the believer.
This is a very important aspect of our fellowship, and important for each person to understand. In Jesus we have all been given equal access to God, and are now priests before Him. Therefore we each carry the responsibility and privilege to minister to Him and for Him, and to hear from Him. No one is responsible for our spiritiual condition other than ourselves. We will each give an account to God for our actions, not for the actions of others. This is the key to true liberty in Christ, it releases us from the control of others. (I Tim. 2:5, Heb. 4:14-16, I Pet. 2:5, 9, Rev. 1:6, 20:6)
12. We believe in holiness of heart.
As a church we strive to live holy lives before God. We have separated ourselves from the world, and although we live in it, we are not like it. We avoid everything that contaminates both body and spirit, for the higher purpose of being filled with Him.
In our relationships, we treat one another with honor and respect. We do not believe "dating" is God's pattern, but instead a cheap counterfeit that has brought much hurt, pain, and confusion to many lives today. Instead we practice courtship leading to engagement and marriage. We have friendship and fellowship with one another, but do not defraud or defile each other with any form of sensuality outside of marriage.
We "make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). (I Cor. 6:15-20, II Cor. 6:14-7:1, Eph. 5:25-27, I Thess. 5:23, I Pet. 1:14-16)
13. We believe in the community of the saints.
The Bible refers to all Christians as saints, or consecrated ones, contrary to popoular religious teaching. The community we speak of does not mean commune, but comes from the Greek word "koinonia," which means fellowship. We are referring to brothers and sisters sharing their lives together in an ongoing and often daily basis; not just punching a clock once a week on Sunday morning, but relating to one another as a natural family. We pass from superficial relationships based on convenience and having our needs met, to relationships built on sacrifice and meeting the needs of others. In a community, we are committed to one another because we recognize our need for one another.
We know that as we build strong men and women of God, they will build strong marriages and families, making for a strong community, and ultimately changing society around us. Just as in a marriage or family, we will have disagreements and conflicts; but we give up our right to quit, and strive to work out our differences. This is authentic Christianity! (Ps. 68:6, Acts 2:41-47, 4:32-35, Eph. 2:18-22, I Cor. 12:26-27, Heb. 10:23-25)
14. We believe in an eldership form of church government.
We believe there is only one form of church government that has been instituted in the Bible, and that is eldership. Elders are called by God, and are responsible for the oversight of the local church. They must meet all of the spiritual qualifications listed by Paul, and have been given responsibility to lead, teach, pastor, equip, pray for, and set an example for the flock.
God has also set deacons into the body who are appointed by the elders to help administrate the ministry of the church. Their work allows the elders to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
The elders have full authority to direct the church, but not to direct the individual believer. We stand firmly against any form of control, intimidation, or manipulation, which the Scripture calls witchcraft. (Acts 6:1-2, I Tim. 3:2-13, 5:17, Tit. 1:5-9, Heb. 13:17, I Pet. 5:1-5)