What We Believe
While we affirm that many historic doctrinal positions are argumentative and non-essential, a church can only be a church if foundational positions are taken on the essentials. While we may work alongside churches from various denominations who differ from us on certain positions, we stand firmly on these truths for our faith and practice. While much more could be said, listed below are summaries of what we believe:
About the Bible. The Bible is God's Word, or His communication with us. It is inspired by Him, and is fully authoritative and without error. We can trust it in every circumstance and situation.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21
About God. God has always existed in perfect power and holiness. He is Creator of the universe, and He rules over every aspect of creation still today. He exists in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Scripture: Genesis 1, Deuteronomy 6:4
About Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God's Son. He lived a perfect life as both fully man and fully God and died on a cross to secure the salvation of all mankind. After three days in the grave, He defeated sin and death and rose from the grave. He will return one day to rule and reign.
Scripture: John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:13-22
About the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He works in the world to make all people understand their need for Jesus Christ, and He indwells every believer from the time of salvation. He empowers Christians to live a supernatural life.
Scripture: Genesis 1:2, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13-14
About Salvation. Because of our sinful nature, the Bible teaches that man cannot enter into heaven no matter how good of a life he may have lived. Jesus Christ came to earth to take the punishment for the sin of all mankind, and our only hope for salvation is faith in the truth that Jesus died for our sin and made a way for us to gain the righteousness it takes to enter heaven.
Scripture: Genesis 3, Romans 3:10-23, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9
About the Church. The Bible teaches that the church is the body of Christ in the world today. A local church is made up of baptized followers of Jesus Christ. The church should live out the mission of Christ as His body.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47, Colossians 1:8, 1 Peter 5:1-5
About Baptism. Baptism is an act of obedience for every believer. We practice baptism by immersion, symbolizing the imagery of salvation through Jesus - that our old selves have been crucified and buried, and that we now live a new life by the power of His resurrection.
Scripture: Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:9, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12
