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There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ps 19:1, John 1:1, Heb 1:1-2, Matt 3:16-17, Matt 28:19) Jesus Christ is both God and man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, in our place, as a sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father as our Advocate. (Philippians 2:6-8, Heb 7:26-27, John 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, Acts 4:12) The Holy Spirit is sent to convince the world of their need for a Savior, and to indwell, fill, guide, teach, and empower the believer. (John 16:8, Acts 5:3-4, Rom 8:16, Gal 5:22, Eph 4:11-12, Rom 12:6-8, 1 Cor 12:28-31 John 6:44) The Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and are without error as originally given. They contain a complete message of His will for the salvation of mankind. They exist as our supreme rule of what we are to believe, and how we are to live. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21) Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but fell into sin through his own disobedience, and received the consequences in both physical and spiritual death. All people are born with a sinful nature, separated from God, and can be saved only through Christ by faith. The future for the unbeliever is existence forever in conscious separation from God in hell. The future for the believer is everlasting joy in heaven, in the very presence of God. (Romans 3:23, Eph 2:1, Rev 21:1-4, Rev 21:8, John 3:18) Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all people. Those who repent from sin, and put their faith in Him experience a new birth by the Holy Spirit, receiving the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life, becoming the children of God. (John 3:5-6, Rom 6:23, John 1:12-13, 1 John 3:1) It is God's will that every believer be surrendered to God, yielding control of one's life to God's Spirit. Not only does God pronounce the believer holy, but calls us to a holy life in which we separate ourselves from sin, and devote ourselves to Him. As we "walk in the Spirit" God is faithful to continue His good work in us and make us more like Himself. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Gal 4:6, Rom 8:9, Eph 5:18, 1 Thess 4:3-8, 1 Thess 5:23, Rom 12:1-2, Rom 6:19, Gal 5:16, Phil 1:6) Physical healing is a blessing made possible through Christ's work on the cross. As the church today, we are instructed to pray in faith for the sick and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-15) The church is made up of all those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Christ is the head of the church, which has been commissioned by him to go into all the world and share the life-saving message of Jesus Christ to all people. The local church is the body of believers in Christ who joined together for worship, preaching and teaching of the Word, prayer, fellowship, proclaiming the Good News, and participating in baptism and the Lord's Supper. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47, Heb 10:25, 1 Cor 11) Someday there will be a bodily resurrection of the believer and the unbeliever. For the believer, it will be a resurrection unto life. For the unbeliever, it will be resurrection unto judgment. (I Corinthians 15:12-57) We believe in the personal & imminent return of Christ. This is not only the hope of the believer, but an inspiration and challenge as we live holy lives, serving faithfully until that day. (Acts 1:11, John 14:3, 1Cor 15:51-52, Matt 24:32-51, Heb 9:28) |
