BELIEFS
JESUS IS THE CENTERBELIEFS
JESUS IS THE CENTERThe Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of Truth for Christian beliefs and living and is without any error.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 12:6; 119:11, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Father
God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things. God is great: He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good: He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He lives in every Believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the believer power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Believers seek to live under His guidance daily. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and helps us become more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Romans 8:9-16; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:13-14
Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty.
John 1:12; 14:6; Romans 5:8, 6:23; 10:9-10 Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7
Baptism
The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith. Our practice is baptism by immersion, which best represents the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus and symbolizes the burial of the old self and the emerging of a “new creation” in our own lives as we seek to walk and grow with Christ. We are compelled to be baptized because Jesus both commanded it and modeled it. Baptism is an outward expression of the inward work that has taken place in our heart through faith in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-38; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Peter 3:21
Communion
We take communion as a sign of our relationship with Jesus. This is a unique time of reverence, celebration, and self-examination in the presence of God. The elements of bread and juice represent the body and the blood of Jesus Christ and are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifices on the cross.
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; John 6:22-69; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-25
the sanctity of human life
All human life is sacred and created by God in His image. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. Including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death.
Psalm 139:13-16; Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:31
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:1
Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is equal with the Father. Jesus Christ is completely human and, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. Born of a virgin, Jesus lived a sinless human life so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in his resurrection so we can have new life in him. He ascended to Heaven and will return again to reign forevermore.
Isaiah 9:6, 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; 16:13-17; John 1:1-5; 14:10-24; Acts 1:9-11; 2:22-24; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 15:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; 6:14-15; Hebrews 4:14-15
Man
All people are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of his affection. Each person is created to have fellowship with God but becomes separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, people cannot attain a right relationship with God through their own effort. Every human’s personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and love.
Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 6:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25;
Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11
Church
The Church is a local community of born-again believers who are unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32
Baptism of the holy spirit
According to the command of Jesus, all believers are entitled to the promise of the Father which is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. With it comes the releasing of power for life and service, and the giving of gifts for the work of the ministry. This wonderful experience is distinct from the experience of Salvation, the New Birth.
John 14:26, 16:13; Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
marriage, gender, and sexuality
We believe that God creates each person distinctly as male or female, The complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:18-25; Romans 1:19-32; I Corinthians 6:9-18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4
Eternity
God created us to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Daniel 12:2-3; John 3:16, 36; 10:27-28; Revelation 20:14-15