WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE BIBLE
We believe and teach the sixty-six books of the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, and without error, that reveal to us what nature alone cannot – who God is and our relationship to Him.
GOD
We believe that God eternally exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that these three are one God equal in attributes and nature – all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, and perfect in love. He is independent of all His creation even while it depends on Him for all things.
God the Father is the sovereign Architect of both creation (including personal beings, time, space, and history) and re-creation (i.e. salvation).
God the Son added to his divine nature a human nature through His virgin birth of Mary. He was and is truly divine and truly man, having these two natures in one person. As this person Jesus acted to reconcile sinners to God by his death and resurrection. Through his death he paid the penalty for sin and through his resurrection He was vindicated as the only Savior of all who trust in him.
God the Holy Spirit bears divine witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ and is the Divine Agent in the Father’s plan of salvation. He brings conviction of sin and applies Jesus’ blessings of forgiveness, righteousness, and glory to all who believe in Jesus. The Spirit dwells in every believer, assuring them of their salvation and their future glory.
HUMANITY
The fall of man
We believe that Man was created holy and righteous, but by voluntary transgression fell from that state; in consequence all people are now sinners, by their nature lacking the holiness required by the law of God and positively inclined to evil. Therefore all people are under God’s just judgement and destined to hell.
The salvation of man
We believe and teach that the salvation of sinful men comes through repentance and faith in Jesus. The Bible teaches that God’s grace grants repentance and faith, which come to expression in the lives of all who look to Jesus in faith. His atoning work is the only basis for redemption and is eternally secured to all believers through their justification and adoption by God through Jesus Christ.
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church, which is the Body of Christ, is composed of all believers united to Jesus through faith and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The church gathers to glorify God through worship, discipleship and evangelism.
The Bible establishes two offices within the Church: elders (also designated overseers or bishops, and pastor-teachers) and deacons to lead and serve the flock under Christ. Elders must be men of noteworthy integrity who serve in teaching and in leading by example. Deacons minister the mercy of God in caring for the physical needs of the congregation and its members.
The sacraments of the church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, express the reality of our union and communion with Jesus Christ. The participation in the sacraments is an experience of Jesus’ promised presence with us.
The Bible commands that the purity of the church be maintained by instruction, warnings, and, if required, the discipline of those rejecting right doctrine and sound living.
Each local church, though part of the true Church, is independent in status. We seek occasions for connections with other churches of the same mindset and loyalty to the Lord and His Word.
LAST THINGS (ESCHATOLOGY)
We believe that Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Christians who die have their souls ushered into heaven to await the resurrection of their bodies and final vindication. Unbelievers will be resurrected to a just judgment, being cast into everlasting punishment.
Cosmic eschatology takes in both the completion of history and the coming of a new heavens and earth, the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ where righteousness dwells.
The anticipation of Jesus’ literal return sustains the Christian and reminds him that he will come in might and glory to vindicate his people.