Beliefs
God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe
God is the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and coeternal, and together they are one God.
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Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22
Psalm 90:2
Matthew 28:19
2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus Christ is coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. On the third day, He rose from the dead, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven and will one day return to Earth to reign as King.
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Matthew 1:22-23
Isaiah 9:6
John 1:1-5
Hebrews 4:14-15
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Romans 1:3-4
Acts 1:9-11
Colossians 2:9-10
1 Timothy 6:14-15
The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He empowers believers with power for daily living, provides understanding of spiritual truth, and guides them in doing what is right. The Holy Spirit gives every Christian spiritual gifts at the moment of salvation. As followers of Christ, we are called to live under His guidance and control each day.
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Acts 1:8
John 14:16-17; 16:7-13
Galatians 5:25
1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16
Ephesians 1:13
2 Corinthians 13:14
1 Peter 1:2
The Bible is God’s Word to us
The Bible was written by human authors, under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme authority for Christian faith and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is completely true and without error.​
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2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 119:105, 160
Psalm 12:6
Proverbs 30:5
Isaiah 55:11
People are the supreme object of God’s creation
People are created in the spiritual image of God, designed to reflect His character. Although each person has tremendous potential for good, we are all affected by sin - an attitude of disobedience toward God. Sin separates us from God and is the root cause of the brokenness we experience in life.
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Genesis 1:27
Isaiah 53:6
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 59:1-2
Psalm 139:13-16
Colossians 2:13-15​
Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
After accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is an act of obedience to God's command and follows the example of Jesus, who submitted Himself to baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.”
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Matthew 3:16-17; 28:18-20
Acts 2:41; 8:12
Romans 6:4
Colossians 2:12
God’s salvation is a free gift, but it is for us to accept it
We can never earn forgiveness for our sins through self-improvement or good works. Salvation comes only by trusting in Jesus Christ, God’s provision for our forgiveness. When we turn from our self-directed life and place our faith in Jesus, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith.
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Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 14:6
Romans 5:1, 8; 10:9-10
People will exist eternally with or without God
People were created to exist forever. We will either spend eternity separated from God because of sin, or eternally united with Him through forgiveness and salvation. Eternal separation from God is what the Bible describes as hell, while eternal union with Him is eternal life in heaven. Both heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
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John 3:16; 14:17
Romans 6:23
Revelation 20:15
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 25:31-34, 41
In addition to Essential Beliefs, we have liberty in Non-Essential Beliefs
“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master servants stand or fall…So then each of us will give an account of ourselves to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
“'I have the right to do anything,’ you say, but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything,’ but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
