| WE BELIEVE |
The
Scriptures
We believe that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2
Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is
inspired, in that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2
Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that
this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of
Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that
the whole Bible in those original manuscripts is, therefore, without
error. We believe that all Scripture centers around the Lord Jesus
Christ in His person, work, and in His first and second coming.
Therefore, no portion of the Old Testament is properly read or
understood until it leads to Christ. We also believe that all Scripture
was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke
24:27, 44;
John 5:39;
Romans 15:4;
1 Corinthians 10:11;
2 Timothy 3:16)
GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer,
Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and
unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father: God, as Father, reigns over all of
His universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving,
all-knowing, and all-wise. He is fatherly in attitude toward all men
but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God
through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father’s hands.
(Genesis
1:1;
1 Chronicles 29:10;
Jeremiah 10:10;
Matthew 6:9;
Acts 1:7;
Romans 8:14-15;
1 Corinthians 8:6;
1 Corinthians 15: 24;
Ephesians 4:6)
God the Son: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the
eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having
been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order
that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this
redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless,
substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s
righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the
accomplishment of that redemption and justification by His bodily
resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His
Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him. (Luke
1:34-35; John
1:1, 2, 14, 18;
Romans 3:24-26;
Romans 8:3)
God the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy
Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin
(righteousness and judgment); that He alone brings new life to those
who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers
into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that He
indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of final
redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and fills (controls)
those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in
the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that he will not fulfill
the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. (John
3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11;
1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13;
Ephesians 4:30; 5:18)
ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe
on Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of
the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into
heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate. (John
1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7;
Hebrews 10:4-14;
1 John 2:2)
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be
gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed
upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at
Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born
into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit
promised in the waters of baptism. (John
1:12; Acts 2:38;
Acts 16:30-33;
Romans 10:9-10;
Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9)
THE CHRISTIAN WALK
We believe that we have a holy calling to walk not after the flesh but
after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit
in order that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh is
never eradicated in this life. Individuals must choose to keep the flesh
in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, or
it will surely manifest its presence in life and dishonor our Lord. (Romans
6:11-13; 8:2, 4, 12-13;
Galatians 5:16-23;
Ephesians 4:22-24;
Colossians 2:1-10;
1 Peter 1:14-16;
1 John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)
OUR GREAT COMMISSION
Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty
and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission and
to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of
Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation
in the world. (Matthew
25:31-46; 28:18-20)
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