our beliefs
statement of faith
1. The Bible
The Bible is the inspired word of God. The 66 books which constitute the Bible are entirely reliable and truthful, and the Bible stands as the central authority over our lives, our fiath and the direction of our church.
We are committed to standard formulations of biblical inspiration such as the "Biblical Inerrancy, and Hermeneutics". (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18)
2. The Trinity
Three persons eternally share the Divine Nature. The Bible rfers to thee persons as the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. God is both self-existent and personal. (John 14:10, 26; 15:26)
3. Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully human. He lived a sinless life, died for the sins of humankind, was resurrected bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven and is coming again as King and Judge.
Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people to be reconciled to Him. Jesus' life on earth also serves as the model for the Chritian life. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
4. Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God. He indwells us at the moment we place our faith in Christ. He empowers us to live an effective Christian life by affirming our salvation, encouraqging us and giving us the strength to live a life that is pleasing to God and personally fulfilling. The Holy Spirit also endows each believer with a unique spiritual ability to serve the church and the world. (John 14:16; Ephesians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12)
5. Salvation
Salvation is reconciliation with God through the atoning work of Jesus Chrit. God offers us salvation by His grace alone and we receive it as a gift through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This right standing before God must be received and cannot be earned. God freely offers salvation to all people, and our salvation is secure. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:38,39; Ephesians 1:13; 2:4)
6. Humanity
Human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we are unique among all of God's creation. Through the abuse of our God-given free will, we have turned against God and this has resulted in spiritual death for al lhuman kind. Humanity lives ina state of alienation and profound need which can only be satisfied by reconciliation with God through Christ. Withouth this reconciliation, all people stand under God's righteous judgment.
Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore, still dignified and unique. God continues to love us and reach out to us, even though we are hostile to Him. Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that becomes the foundation for a process of transformation. (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
7. The Church
The Church is composed of all those throughout history who place saving faith in Jesus Christ. The church is not an institution, but a people. God wants all Christians to live out their spiritual lives in a corporate context. This context of Chritian love relationships is a crucial feature of our witness for Christ as it reflects God's character to the world.
The Church is God's chosen instrument through which the message of salvation is spread to all people. This mission is the central purpose for the church. We are to carry the good news locally and worldwide and demonstrate the gospel by relevant social action. (John 13:34,35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Matthew 28:19)
8. Satan
Satan is the personal, spiritual adversary of God and God's followers. Satan actively opposes the work of the church and the spiritual vitality of Chritians. We therefore take seriously, but in a balanced way, the reality of personal, spiritual opposition. Satan is doomed to final defeat and judgment when Christ returns. (Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 20)
9. Second Coming
This age will conclude with the personal, bodily return of Christ. At that time, He will complete God's plan to reestablish His just and righteous rule over all humanity. (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20) *This is not the rapture
10. The Afterlife
At the final judgment, God will assign all people their eternal destinies-either life or judgment. Those who have responded to Jesus Christ with saving faith will receive the eternal life they have already been promised (John 5:24), while others will live under eternal judgment.
Therefore, because eternal issues are at stake, there is an urgency to communicate the gospel. (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)