Statement of Faith

GOD – God is the Creator, Ruler and Sustainer of the universe.  He has eternally existed in three persons:  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These three persons are co-equal and unified in the trinity.  
(Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 4:24, 10:30; 2 Corinthians 13:14) 

MAN – Man is the creation of God made in His image and under God’s authority.  Man is the supreme object of God’s creation.  Yet, while man has a tremendous potential for good, he has been tainted by an innate attitude of disobedience toward God.  This nature to sin separates man from God.  
(Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23: 5:12)

BIBLE – The Bible is God’s Word to all men.  It was written by human authors who were under the supernatural guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Likewise, it is the supreme source of truth and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.  Because the Bible has been inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.  
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

JESUS CHRIST – Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father.  He is co-equal with the Father and was God in the flesh (incarnate).  He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice by dying on the cross for the sins of man.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His dominion over death and the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He serves as our High Priest.  He will return one day in the not-too-distant future to redeem the saved, destroy the sinful and restore His kingdom.  
(John 1:1-18; 5:18; Hebrews 1:1-9; 5:8)

SIN – To sin is to miss the mark of God’s perfection; it is to engage in any activity contrary to the heart of the Father.  Sin originated in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and chose a way that seemed right to themselves.  The result of his one action condemned all of humanity as every person born since the fall possesses a nature to sin and rebel against God.  The result is that every man is born totally depraved and is incapable of atoning for his or her sin and is therefore condemned to death and hell – for the wages of sin is death.  Man’s only hope of redemption does not originate from within humanity, but from above through the merciful grace of God.  
(Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; Colossians 1:13-14)

SALVATION - Salvation is the free gift of God to all men.  It is received by grace through faith and not by the will or effort of man, but only by the will and work of God.  Salvation is possible only by the way of the cross and through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Upon responding to the urging of the Holy Spirit, each person must turn from sin and self to Christ and the cross to have his or her sins forgiven.  Upon the securing of this transaction, eternity begins.  
(Acts 4:12; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)

HOLY SPIRIT – The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son.  He is present in the world to convict men of sin and of their need for a Savior.  He serves to guide, seal and protect every Christian in His life with God.  He provides the believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in what is right and of God. 
(Matthew 28:19; John 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Titus 3:5)

ETERNAL SECURITY – Since man has done nothing to receive salvation, neither can he do anything to lose salvation.  Salvation is being maintained by the grace and power of God and not by the effort of man.  
(John 10:28, Ephesians 1:13, 1 John 5:13)

PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS – The Bible teaches that every Christian is called into “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation.  We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry.  Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Scripture and is accountable to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. 
(Matthew 6:33; 1 Peter 2:9)

ETERNITY – Man was created to exist forever with God.  He will either reside eternally in union with God by the way of the cross, or he will exist eternally separated and condemned by the stubbornness of his heart.  Hell is the consequence of rejecting Christ, while Heaven is the benefit of those who surrender their sin and turn to Christ in repentance.  
(John 3:16-18; 14:1-4)