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The Bible
We believe that the 66 books which comprise the Old and New Testament
Scriptures are totally and completely inspired by God, even to the very
words.
We believe God’s revelation to mankind is complete; no further inspired documents will be given and none exist. The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters to which it speaks and is our final authority for life, conduct, and practice. We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation.
God
We
believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons - the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having
precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and worthy of
precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience.
We believe God is the creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler of all things. He is self-existent, immutable, and works all things according to the counsel of His will in order to bring glory to Himself. God’s foreknowledge is exhaustive and not dependent on human decisions and actions. We believe the universe came into being by the power of His spoken word and thus is the result of a purposeful, personal, and loving cause.
The Son
We
believe in the absolute deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - who has
co-existed from all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit; who
became fully man, though sinless, through the virgin birth; who through
his substitutionary death on the cross made perfect provision for the
salvation of all who believe; who was raised from the dead with a
glorified body and ascended into heaven; who is interceding as our high
priest; who will return for His church, judge the world, rule in
righteousness and consummate God's program for humanity.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, the
divine Agent in revelation, redemption and sanctification.
The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ’s work of redemption and baptism. He regenerates, baptizes, seals, gifts, and indwells all believers at conversion, progressively sanctifying, and securing them in Christ forever.
We believe the Holy Spirit gifts all believers for service in order to glorify God. We believe that the biblical gift of tongues was the supernatural utterance of known languages.
Satan
We believe in the personality and diabolical cunning of Satan, who is also
called the devil.Satan is a fallen angel who masquerades as an angel of light. The scope of Satan’s power is subject to God’s will. While Satan and his demons are powerful, they are subject to Christ’s authority and judgment. Satan and his demons have been defeated for eternity by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, sealing their everlasting damnation.
Mankind
We
believe that man was the direct creation of God, made in His image to
glorify Him and enjoy His fellowship, but who through the rebellion of
Adam became corrupt in every part of his nature and alienated from God.
We believe all members of the human race possess the image of God, though it has been grossly defaced by sin. All members of the human race are to be treated with the dignity befitting their status as loved by God.
The Family
We believe life begins at fertilization. God established the institution of family through the union of one man and one woman in a marriage covenant for life and that marriage is only between one man and one woman. God’s design for the continuance of humanity is through the procreation and discipleship of children within the marriage union. Marriage is to be an example of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church. We believe all sexual relations are reserved for marriage as God established it.
We believe children are a gift from the Lord to a family, not to the state. God has given responsibility to the family for raising children
Sin and Salvation
We believe sin is any action, inaction, or attitude that is contrary to the nature or Word of God and that everyone has sinned. Being sinners by nature and choice and utterly unable to remedy our lost condition, humanity is in need of salvation.
We believe that salvation is completely the work of God apart from any humanmerit; that individuals are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and kept securely by God's power, not by their own obedience or worthiness, forever.
We believe those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ enter into God’s eternal glory at the time of physical death. They shall be made fully blessed in the presence and service of God, whom they shall see and enjoy forever.
The Church
We
believe that the universal church, the body of Christ, began on the Day of
Pentecost, and that it is composed of all who have been born again by
saving faith in Christ.
We
believe that a New Testament local church is composed of born-again,
baptized believers united in organization to carry out the Great
Commission. Every Christian is a priest with direct access to God through Christ.
We
believe that two ordinances have been given to the church, that of baptism
by immersion and the observance of the Lord's Supper.
We believe local church leaders must submit to the headship of Christ and emulate His servant leadership. We believe the biblical office of pastor/elder is reserved for biblically qualified males. The members of each local church are to choose, support, and submit to those who function as elders.
We believe the church is not the agent of the state nor is the state the agent of the church. Each has a proper God-given function in society. We believe that a proper separation of church and state results in a more vigorous church and a healthier society.
Angels
We believe God created angels as spirit-beings possessing power and intellect, to worship and serve Him and to minister to believers.
Last Things
We believe in the "blessed
hope" - the expectation of the personal, premillennial, and imminent
return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He will return with His saints from heaven with power and great glory, on a day known only to God.
We believe in the resurrection of the saved unto eternal conscious bliss, and the resurrection of the lost unto eternal conscious punishment. The saved will spend eternity with God, worshiping and serving him. The lost will be separated from the righteous, judged, and suffer eternal punishment forever. punishment.
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