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STATEMENT
OF FAITH
WE BELIEVE
that only the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, and therefore
inerrant, Word of God. It is the final authority for all we believe and how
we are to live. Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter
1:20-21.
WE BELIEVE
that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and
glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds,
sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that He
will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the
glory of His name. Psalm 104; Psalm 139; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts
17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17;
Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6.
WE BELIEVE
that Satan, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking
a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God's presence and is at
work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness
and evil on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ
and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire
which has been prepared for him and his angels. Matthew 12:25-29; 25:41;
John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6;
Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10.
WE BELIEVE
that Adam was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without
sin. In consequence of his disobedience, Adam's posterity are born subject
to both imputed and inherent sin, and are therefore by nature and choice
the children of wrath, justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable
to save themselves or to contribute in any way to their acceptance with
God. Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21;
Ephesians 2:1-3.
WE BELIEVE
that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that He was
conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself
as a penal, substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of His
cross He obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and
life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the
right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints.
Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2
Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11;
Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John
2:1-2.
WE BELIEVE
that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No
ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is
required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power
of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is
pleasing in God's sight in order that we might be progressively conformed
to the image of Christ. John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 16:30-31;
Romans 3-4; 8:1-17,31-39; 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13;
Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 1:7,9.
WE BELIEVE
that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, in whom
also we are sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates,
forever indwells, and graciously equips the Christian for godly living and
service. Subsequent to conversion the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and
anoint believers for ministry and witness. We also believe that signs and
wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New
Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence
of the kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling
and mission. Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; Acts 4:29-30; Romans 8:9;
12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5;
Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18.
WE BELIEVE
that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances of the
church to be observed until the time of Christ's return. They are not a
means of salvation but are channels of God's sanctifying grace and blessing
to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; Romans 6:3-11; 1
Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21.
WE BELIEVE
that the church is God's primary instrument through which He is fulfilling
His redemptive purposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of
ministry, God has given the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors
and teachers. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the
importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a
local community of the saints. We believe that women, no less than men, are
called and gifted to proclaim the gospel and do all the works of the
kingdom. However, final governmental authority in the church has ideally
been entrusted to men. Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18,42; Ephesians
3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10.
WE BELIEVE
that God has called the church to preach the gospel to all nations, and
especially to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through
sacrificial giving and practical service. This ministry is an expression of
the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the kingdom
of God. Isaiah 58:6-12; 61:1; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; 21:1-4;
Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:8.
WE BELIEVE
in the literal second coming of Christ at the end of the age when He will
return to the earth personally and visibly to consummate His kingdom. We
also believe in and are praying for a great end-time harvest of souls and
the emergence of a victorious church that will experience an unprecedented
unity, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. Psalms 2:7-9; 22:27-28; John
14:12; 17:20-26; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28,50-58; Ephesians
4:11-16; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians
1:3-12; Revelation 7:9-14.
WE BELIEVE
that when the Christian dies he/she passes immediately into the blessed
presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior
until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body.
The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great
Triune God. We also believe that when the unbeliever dies he/she is
consigned to hell, there to await the day of judgment when he/she shall be
punished with eternal separation from the presence of God. Matthew 25:46;
Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10;
Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15;
21:1-22:15.
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