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» Core Beliefs
THE BIBLE – We believe the Bible, both Old
Testament and New Testament, to be the inspired Word of God. We
believe that the Bible is without error, and it is our ONLY
source of authority for faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16,
17; II Peter 1:20, 21)
GOD – We believe in one God, the creator of all
things. We believe that God exists eternally in three
persons—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
They are all of the same essence and thus co-equal. Three
distinct persons, but only ONE God. (Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew
3:16, 17).
MAN (MANKIND) – We believe that man (male and
female) was created in the image of God. We believe that man
(male and female) fell into sin. We believe that the
consequences of that sin are eternal separation from the
presence of God. Since ALL are sinners, ALL stand in need of the
salvation that only God can provide. (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans
3:23; Ezekiel 18:4, 20).
SALVATION – We believe that Jesus Christ came to this
earth incarnated in human flesh, born of the Virgin Mary. We
believe that Jesus is God, and that He lived a perfect life as
our example. He was without sin, and He died on the cross to pay
the price God’s justice demands for the sin of mankind. We
believe He rose from the dead on the third day for our
justification. We believe that every person must (“confess with
their mouth, “Jesus as Lord” and believe in their heart that God
raised him from the dead”) in order to obtain salvation. (Romans
10:9, 10; Romans 6:23; Acts 16:31)
THE CHURCH – We believe the Church is the visible
expression of God’s love and purpose for mankind in this world.
The Holy Spirit came to make Jesus real to mankind and empower
them to build His Church. The Church is the Body of Christ, the
Building of God, and the Bride of Christ. All believers are to
be found faithful in building The Church until Christ returns.
(Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:9)
ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH – We believe that Jesus gave two
ordinances to His Church—Communion or the Lord’s Supper, and
water baptism by immersion. Both bear testimony to what Christ
has done for mankind through His death, burial, and
resurrection. (I Corinthians 11:23-34; Matthew 28:19, 20)
ETERNITY – We believe there is a heaven to be gained and
a hell to be shunned. Entrance into heaven or hell is determined
by what you do with Jesus in this life. We believe that Jesus is
coming again to this earth to bring it to His conclusion.
Therefore, we must be working, watching, waiting, and praying
for Christ’s return. (Revelation 21:1-4; Revelation 22:1-4;
Revelation 22:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – We believe that the Christian life is to
be lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are to be
growing in our relationship with Him, and to seek daily His will
for our lives. (Proverbs 3:5, 6; Colossians 3:17; Luke 9:23)
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