Statement of Faith. I believe that only the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired and, therefore, inerrant Word of God. The Bible is the final authority for all we believe and how we are to live. (Matt. 5:18; John 10:35, 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16 – 17; 2 Peter 1:20 – 21) However, I also acknowledge the Deuterocanonicals and Apocrypha. They may not be recognized as “scripture” by the experts; however, I acknowledge that they can be inspirational and, I believe, excellent reading. I recommend the Books of Tobit, Judith and Sirach. Read first and second Maccabees for an understanding of Hanukah.
I believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man; that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as a penal, substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By His bloodshed at the cross, He obtained eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the Father’s right hand, there to make intercession for the saints forever. (Matt. 1:18 – 25; John 1:1 – 18; Rom. 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:1 – 28; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:10 – 14; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:6 – 11; Col. 1:15 – 23; Heb. 7:25, 9:13 – 15, 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21 – 25; 1 John 2:1 – 2)
I believe that salvation is by grace, faith, and Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work or any other activity on the part of man is required or accepted to be saved. Through the power of Holy Spirit, God’s saving grace also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight so that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. (John 1:12 – 13, 6:37 – 44, 10:25 – 30; Acts 16:30 – 31; Rom. 3 – 4, 8:1 – 17, 31 – 39, 10:8 – 10; Eph. 2:8 – 10; Phil. 2:12 – 13; Titus 3:3 – 7; 1 John 1:7, 9)
I believe the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in Holy Spirit, in whom we are also sealed for the day of redemption. Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells, and graciously equips Christians for godly living and service. After conversion, the Spirit desires to fill, empower and anoint believers for ministry and witness. We also believe that signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the Kingdom and to empower and edify the Church to fulfill its calling and mission. (Matt. 3:11; John 1:12 – 13, 3:1 – 15; Acts 4:29 – 30; Rom. 8:9, 12:3 – 8; 1 Cor. 12:12 – 13; 2 Cor. 1:21 – 22; Gal. 3:1 – 5; Eph. 1:13 – 14, 5:18)
I believe that the one true God exists eternally in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power and glory. We believe that God created the world and now upholds, sustains, governs and providentially directs all that exists and that He will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of His name. (Ps. 104, 139; Matt. 10:29 – 31, 28:19; Acts 17:24 – 28; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 1:9 – 12, 4:4 – 6; Col. 1:16 – 17; Heb. 1:1 – 3; Rev. 1:4 – 6)
I believe that when Christians die, they pass immediately into the holy presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and the glorious transformation of their bodies. The saved will forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die, they are consigned to hell, there to await the Day of Judgment when they shall be punished in the lake of fire with eternal, conscious and tormented separation from the presence of God. (Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:19 – 31; Jn 5:25 – 29; 1 Cor. 15:35–58; 2 Cor. 5:1 – 10; Phil. 1:19 – 26, 3:20 – 21; 2 Thess. 1:5 – 10; Rev. 20:11 – 15, 21:1 – 22:15)
I believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the Church to be observed until Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation but are channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. (Matt. 26:26 – 29, 28:19; Rom. 6:3 – 11; 1 Cor. 11:23 – 34;
1 Peter 3:21)
I believe in the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the age when He will return to earth personally and visibly to consummate His Kingdom. We also believe in and are praying for a great end–time harvest of souls and the emergence of a victorious Church that will experience unprecedented unity, purity and power in the Holy Spirit. (Ps. 2:7 – 9, 22:27 – 28; John 14:12, 17:20 – 26; Rom. 11:25 – 32; 1 Cor. 15:20 – 28, 50 – 58; Eph. 4:11 – 16; Phil. 3:20 – 21; 1 Thess. 4:13 – 5:11; 2 Thess. 1:3 – 12; Rev. 7:9 – 14)
I believe Adam was created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. As a consequence of his disobedience, Adam’s posterity is born with a tendency towards sin (inherent sin) and carries the guilt of Adam’s sin (imputed sin). This means that all humans are, therefore, by nature and choice, the children of wrath, justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves or to contribute in any way to their acceptance of God. (Gen. 1-3; Ps. 51:5; Is. 53:5; Rom. 3:9 – 18, 5:12 – 21; Eph. 2:1 – 3)
As God’s primary instrument, the Church plays a crucial role in fulfilling His redemptive purposes on earth. God has bestowed upon the Churches, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and many other Gifts of the Spirit to equip the work of ministry apostles, and prophets the saints for. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers, emphasizing the significance of every Christian being part of and actively engaged in a local community of the saints. This unity and shared purpose should inspire us to work together to advance God’s Kingdom. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the Gospel and do all the works of the Kingdom. (Matt. 16:17 – 19; Acts 2:17 – 18, 42; Eph. 3:14 – 21, 4:11 – 16; 1 Tim.
I believe God has called the Church to preach the Gospel to all nations, especially remembering the poor and ministering to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service, such as providing food, shelter, and healthcare. This ministry expresses the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the Kingdom of God. (Is. 58:6 – 12, 61:1; Matt. 5-7, 28:18 – 20; Luke 4:18, 21:1 – 4; Gal. 2:10; 1 Tim. 6:8)
I believe that satan, originally the great and good angel Lucifer, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness, evil and unrest on earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. (Is. 14:10 – 17; Ezek. 28:11 – 19; Matt. 12:25 – 29, 25:41; John 12:31, 16:11; Eph. 6:10 – 20; Col. 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7 – 9, 20:10)
