What We Believe
Our Values & Beliefs
What We Value
Biblical Community
Discipleship & Leadership
Diversity
Prayer
What We Believe
The human phraseology employed in these statements are not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the Bible, only that it covers orthodox fundamental matters.
In common with other Christians throughout the world, we hold certain basic beliefs about God and the nature of creation. Those beliefs are summarized in the Apostles Creed and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. These Creeds are ancient and basic statements of Christian faith and beliefs most universally accepted and affirmed by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Churches, and most Protestant denominations.
Outlined in greater detail we specifically believe:
The One True God
The One True God: The one true God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and His
presence fills all of creation. He is holy, omnipotent, omniscient, immutable, omnipresent,
self-existent, transcendent, and sovereign at all times. The essence of His nature and
character is love. The self-revealed “I AM,” and has further revealed Himself as embodying
the principles of relationship and association, by Simultaneously existing as Father; Son and
Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal and are one God (Gen 1:1-2, 26, 3:22, Deut.
6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10-11, Isa 55:8-9; Matt. 28:19, 1 John 5:7, John 8:23,10:30,1 Cor
8:6,1 Peter 1:2, John 1:13-14, John 17:5, Psalm 115:3, Eph 1:11)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God’s “Word” made flesh. He is co-equal with the Father; who
created all things by Him. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect
sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross that we might be reconciled back to
God the Father. He arose from the dead bodily after three days to demonstrate His power
over sin and death and to give us new life. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and is presently
reigning with all authority over everything in creation to bring everything back to
submission to the Father. He will return again to earth as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords
to receive His Bride, the Church, of whom He is its Builder and only Head. Through Him, we
have access to God the Father. There is no other way to God other than through Him (Matt
1:22,23; Isa 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Heb 4:14,15; 1 Cor 15:3,4; Rom 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11;
Acts 4:10-12; 1 Tim 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)
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 men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He “baptizes” us through the new birth into
the Body of Christ and causes the life of Christ to be visible and active within us. As we
submit our lives to God completely, He “infills” us and provides the Christian with power for
living, understanding of spiritual truth, and direction in doing what pleases the Father. He
gives every believer a spiritual gift(s) for ministry when they are saved. As Christians, we
seekto live under His guidance daily. (2 Cor 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor
2:12,3:16,12:13; Eph 1:13; Gal 2:20, 5:25; Eph 5:18)
The Scriptures Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of
faith and conduct, and superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2
Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12, Psalm 119:105,160).
Obedience to Divine and Delegated Authority
God is the source of all authority and sustainer of all authority. This includes any and all
areas of existence, whether secular or spiritual. There is no governing power that is not
appointed by Him. We are accountable to submit and be obedient to God’s direct authority
as well as to his delegated authorities. We are commanded to pray for them as well. Our
obedience is not to be based on whether the delegated authority is “just” or “unjust”. Our
complete obedience to God’s authority (direct or delegated) brings favor, protection, and
blessing upon us. It also insures the fullness of the Holy Spirit from Him. To resist any in
authority is to resist God’s authority and will bring His judgment upon us. No amount of
personal effort or sacrifice will substitute for obedience to authority. The only exception to
our obedience is if someone in authority directs us to act contrary to the scriptures. (Rom
13:1-7, Eph 4:1-12, Titus 3:1, Heb 13:17, Acts 5:17-29, 23:1-5, 2 Thess 3:4-9, 1 Tim 2:1-3,
Gal 1:6-9)
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 in union with
Him is eternal life. To die separated from Him by sin means we will end up in Hell. Heaven
and Hell are real places of existence. (John 3:16; John 14:17; Rom 6:23; 8:17-18; Rev 20:15;
1 Cor. 2:7-9).
Man’s Fall and Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in our image and after
our likeness.” Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in
Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Rom. 5:12-21)’
The Salvation of Man
Conditions of Salvation
The Conditions of Salvation: The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all
men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and by faith believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and
being justified by grace, through faith, has become heir of God according to the hope of
eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Rom 10:9-15; Luke 24:47; John 3:16-18; 6:28-29, Eph 2:8-9,
John 3:16-18, 6:28-29).
Evidences of Salvation
Evidences of Salvation: The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct
witness and leading of the Spirit (Romans. 8:14-16). The outward evidence to all men is a
life of holiness and good works accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit (1 Thess. 4:7; 2 Tim.
1:9; Gal 5:16-25; James 2:20-26; Rom 6:11-18).
Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the
Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ
as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with
Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt.
28:19; Rom. 6:4, Mark 16:16; Matt 3:13-17; Rom 6:3-5).
The Lord’s Supper (aka Eucharist or Communion)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol
expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His
second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke
22:19,20; 1 Cor. 11:25, John 6:48-58; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26).
The Promise of the Father
All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is
the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and
the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts
1:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience may be distinct from and subsequent to the
experience of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 19:1-6).
Sanctification Process
By the power of the Holy Spirit we obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy:’
Sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued. (Heb.
12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6). Sanctification is both instantaneous
and positional at conversion, and practical and progressive as we grow in grace and in the
knowledge of Jesus Christ; walking in obedience to God’s Word (John 17:19; 1 Pet 1:5; 2 Pet
3:14-18; 1 John 5:18-21; Rom 12:1-2).
The Church
The church is the holy Body of Christ; the family of God, the habitation of God through the
Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer
is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (I
Thess. 2:4, 1 Cor 12:12-27, Rom 12:4-5)
Ministry
Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-
fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) The edification of the Body of
Christ (Mark 16:15,20; Eph. 4:11-13).
Divine Healing
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of
all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16,17; Mark 16:18; Mark 16:17-18, Psalm 103:2-4, James
5:14-16).
The Blessed Hope
The personal return of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of those who have fallen asleep
in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the Lord,
in final judgment and in eternal reward and/or punishment is imminent and is the blessed
hope of the church (1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rom. 6:23; Titus 2:13-13; 1 Cor. 15:35-53).
The Imminent Reign of Jesus
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of those who have
received His Lordship, and the reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and our
hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:1-16; Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor 15:20-28).
The Lake of Fire
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found
written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake
which burns fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).
The New Heavens and New Earth
We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein
righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21: 1).