What We Believe
Scripture
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative, written Word of God.
God
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, at once fully divine and fully human. We believe in his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his vicarious and atoning death on the cross, his bodily resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of the Father, his present ministry of intercession, and his personal return in power and glory.
Humanity
We believe that human beings were created in the image of God but rebelled against God and are therefore fallen, lost, estranged from their Creator, and in need of salvation.
Salvation
We believe that only those who, in repentance and faith, receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are converted, born again of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and enables the Christian to pursue a life characterized by personal holiness and faithful discipleship in obedience to Jesus Christ.
The Universal Church
We believe that the church, the “body of Christ,” is composed of all those of every nation who, through saving faith, have entered into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. We further believe that the church is at the very center of God’s cosmic purpose, and that he has committed to the church and every member of it the task of making Christ known throughout the world.
The Local Church
We believe that local congregations of baptized believers exist to equip the body of Christ—through such means as worship, teaching, fellowship, and prayer—to spread the gospel of Christ, to extend the influence of the Kingdom of God in the world, to turn themselves outward to their local communities in evangelistic witness and compassionate service.
Sin
We believe that the reality of sin in the human heart results in suffering, injustice, strife, and moral decay in society.
The Kingdom of God Ethic
We believe that, in Jesus Christ, the way of love and reconciliation is revealed as God’s way for his people and that the people of God are called to value the sanctity of human life, alleviate suffering, oppose injustice, refrain from force and violence, work in peaceful relationships, and to live as responsible stewards of all of God’s creation.
Family
We believe that God intends human life to begin in families and to be blessed through families. At the beginning of human history, God instituted marriage and he intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life. According to Scripture, right sexual union takes place only within the marriage relationship. Marriage is meant for sexual intimacy, companionship, and the birth and nurture of children.
Ministry Roles
We believe that ministry continues the work of Christ, who gives gifts through the Holy Spirit to all believers and empowers them for service in the church and in the world. We also believe that God calls particular persons in the church to specific leadership ministries and offices. In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation. At the same time, the New Testament does affirm that there are some different functions and roles for men and women.
Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of all people, those who are saved unto the resurrection of everlasting blessedness with the Lord, and those who are lost to eternal separation from God.
Restoration of All Things
We believe that, in the fullness of time, God will bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, the Lord Jesus Christ.