1. In essential beliefs - we have unity
"There is one Body, one Spirit... there is one lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all..." - Eph. 4:4-6
2. In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
3. In all our beliefs - we show charity "...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. I Cor. 13:2 (Ph)
WHAT WE BELIEVE
1. About God Back to top We believe there is one true God, the Creator of all things, who has eternally existed as Father, Son & Spirit. They are co-equal and are one God. (Gen. 1:1; Matt 3:16-17, 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 13:14)
2. About Jesus Christ Back to top We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is fully God and fully man at the same time. He became like us to bring about our salvation by dying on the cross, arising from the dead three days later, and He ascended into Heaven. (Matt. 1:20-25, 16:15-16; John 1:1-18)
3. About the Holy Spirit Back to top We believe the Holy Spirit is active in the world, bringing us to salvation. He comforts, teaches, and empowers us with all that is necessary to living a godly life in Christ Jesus.
(John 14:15-18, 16:7-15; Rom 8:1-17)
4. About the Bible Back to top The Bible is the fully inspired word of God containing all we need to know for salvation. 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. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Psalm 119:105; Prov. 30:5)
5. About Human beings Back to top People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation, but all have been marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude, or nature, separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Gen. 1:27, 3; Rom 3:23, 5:12-14, 6:15-23)
6. About Salvation Back to top Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. It is only through Jesus' death on the cross, and trusting in His death, that we can be restored to a right relationship with God. Each person must repent (turn away from his sins) and trust Christ to accept him. God has enabled us to turn to Him from sin, but He has not and will not force us to do so. When we turn from sin and trust in Christ, the old record of sin is wiped clean, and we become part of the family of God. (Gen. 2:16-17; John 1:12; Gal. 6:7-8, Isa. 55:6-7; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 13:39; Titus 3:4-7; Gal. 4:4-7; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 5:1; Isa. 53:5-6)
7. About the Holy Life Back to top After we turn from our sin and trust Christ to save us, we need the Holy Spirit working in our hearts to conform us into His likeness. It is only through the work and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can "love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves." When we by faith, make a complete commitment to God by surrendering our will, He fills us with perfect love, and gives us the power to live victoriously. (Matt. 3:11, 22:37-40; I John 4:17-18)
8. About the Church Back to top The Church is the active Body of Christ in the world today. It is called together by the Holy Spirit, through the Word, for the purpose of fulfilling God's plan for the world. (I Cor. 12:12-31; Eph. 5:25-27)
9. About baptism Back to top Baptism is a testimony and sign of one's choice to follow Christ. We urge all believers to participate in this means of grace as a public witness to their faith in Jesus for salvation. (Matt. 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41)
10. About the Lord's Supper Back to top The Lord's Supper is a means of Grace, memorial and sign of Christ's death in our behalf and should be celebrated by those who follow Christ. (Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11:23-32)
11. About Healing Back to top God can and does heal people through divine intervention. We also believe that God works through medical science and the wisdom He has given man. (2 Cor. 12:7-10; James 5:13-16)
12. About Christ's return Back to top The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again and after that everyone will face the judgment of God with its punishments and rewards. (John 14:1-3; I Thess. 4:13-18; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15)
We believe that this Statement of Faith is an accurate summary of what the Scripture teaches. While some may hold a different theological persuasion, it is our request that all members refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in this statement of faith in such a way as to cause dissensions.
A more detailed explanation of our beliefs is available upon request, along with a complete list of scriptures supporting each of them.
OUR LIFESTYLE STATEMENT - What We Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices.
Nourishment of our souls. Back to top "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25.
Each Christian should seek to deepen his or her walk with Christ by faithfully participating in the functions of the church, the ministry of the Word, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and searching and meditating upon the Scriptures through family and private devotions.
Authority of the Bible. >
Back to top "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16.
Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?" We practice Bible reading, Bible study and memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Spirit Empowered Living. Back to top (Jesus said) "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5.
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right. This power of his Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 5:18).
Being a Christian means more than just having one's sins forgiven. The very word "Christian" expresses a moral quality. Christian means "like Christ." We encourage everyone who names the name of Christ to take on the characteristic of Jesus in his or her life by allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to direct them from even the appearance of evi including: taking the name of God in vain, immorality, perversion in any form, habits or practices known to be destructive of physical and mental well-being, quarreling, gossip, slander, dishonesty, sinful pride, or entertainments that dishonor God. (Ex. 20:7,8-11, 14; Galatians 5:19; Prov. 20:1; 23:1-3; James 3:5-18; Rom. 12:17; I Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; James 4:4).
Real Relationships Back to top Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all you heart...soul...mind...and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself, all the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matt. 22:36-40.
We seek to build a community of real love where our entire lives are filled with love for God and our neighbor.
Giving Back to top "A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord: it is holy to the Lord" - Lev. 26:30. We practice tithing for the support of Christ's Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that tithing 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. (Mal. 3:10; Lk. 6:38; I Cor. 9:14, 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; Phil. 4:15-19).
Evangelism Back to top "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." - I Peter 3:15.
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us in contact with. We practice haring about Christ and inviting friends to church.
