The Holy Scriptures:
We believe the Holy Scriptures — both the old and new testaments — to be the inspired word of God, written by men in God’s control, inerrant and infallible in the original manuscripts and the final authority in faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:13-15; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Godhead:
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — who are identical in essence, equal in power and glory, and possess precisely the same attributes and perfection. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
The Person and Work of Christ:
We believe that the Lord, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God; that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin in order that He might 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 the sin of the elect. He gave proof that He accomplished that redemption by His bodily resurrection from the grave. He then ascended to the right hand of His Father where He intercedes on behalf of His people. (Matthew 1:21; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Luke 1:34; Romans 3:24; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:2-4)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin; that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that he 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 redemption, and bestows spiritual gifts upon them. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:30; 5:19)
Salvation:
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace given to all whom God has elected to salvation. It is solely the work of God from initiation to completion. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is the cause not the result of the believer’s saving faith. It cannot be gained by good works, but is a free gift for all who put their trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. All who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are forgiven and saved from their sins and made righteous before God and are born into the family of God. (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; Philippians 1:6; Titus 2:11-14)
Sanctification:
We believe that God, in the Scriptures, has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. This includes the salvation from the penalty of sin and just as surely the provision of sanctification (separation) from sin. Sanctification from sin affects both the positional and practical aspects. Positional sanctification as a work of the Holy Spirit is complete and absolute; however, practical sanctification is a result of the continuing work of the Spirit using the Word of God to provide nourishment for growth into maturity in Christ. While the process of practical sanctification is assured by the Word and the Spirit, it is yet imperfect in this life. There is some element of corruption in every part of the fallen nature which is the source for the war between the flesh and the Spirit. Spiritual growth occurs as believers feed on the Word and are in fellowship with other believers for encouragement and service. (John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 6:19, 22; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 1:3)
The Church:
We believe the true church, called in scripture the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism. Every person who has trusted Jesus Christ for salvation is a part of the church. The local church, as established in scripture, is made up of redeemed individuals who have joined together for worship, instruction, fellowship and service. (Acts 2:42; 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22)
