Our core beliefs are centered in Christ and His message, found and supported in Scripture. Ours is a Biblical theology rather than a theology that is speculative or a theology that is merely rooted in tradition. This is nothing new. Anyone familiar with historic Christian doctrine will recognize that our theology is derived directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. In the beginning, by His power, wisdom and goodness, God created the world and everything in it. He continues to sustain His creation and He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purpose.

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Following a miraculous conception and birth, Jesus lived a sinless human life and freely offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead, on the third day after His death, to demonstrate His power over sin and death and ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Jesus is the only Mediator between God and humans. He has promised that He will come to earth again to complete God’s eternal plan.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make individuals aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

THE BIBLE

The basis of our belief is the 66 books of the Bible, both Old and New Testament. We believe that all of Scripture originated from God and that it was revealed to individuals chosen specifically for that purpose. Scripture speaks with the authority of God. The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without error and fully complete.

HUMAN DESTINY

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. When we die, believers will be received into eternal communication with God. Having rejected God, unbelievers will suffer His judgment in eternal condemnation.

SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ and the work of His blood as God’s offer of forgiveness and means of erasing our sin, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. We receive this free gift through:

• Belief - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [Jesus] by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
  
• Repentance - “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:5b
  
• Confession - “If you confess that Jesus is your Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
  
• Baptism - “Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” Acts 2:38
  

Everyone can receive salvation through Jesus Christ. God assures us that He will then continue His saving work in us forever.

ETERNITY

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

THE CHURCH

Through union with Jesus Christ, all believers become members of His body, the one true Church. The Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship and the teaching of the Word; to observe baptism and communion as established by Jesus Christ; to offer service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts; and to engage in outreach to the world. The local expression of the church is found wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command. Members, led by elders or other supportive leaders, work together to glorify Christ.

FAITH AND PRACTICE

In matters of faith and practice, Scripture is the final authority. In matters where Scripture is silent, each should seek to be led by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.