Our
Beliefs

GOD
We affirm there is one and only one God who is the Creator and source of life and all things — holy, righteous, true, magnificent, just, loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere and at all times.

We believe this God has made Himself known and knowable in creation (natural revelation) and in sending his Word and his Son (special revelation).

The One True God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three persons, not modes or personalities, who in their unity do not sacrifice distinction nor in their distinct identity do they sacrifice their unity as one Lord. (The term “Trinity” is useful though not a biblical word describing this mystery of the three-in-one-God.)

Genesis 1:1, Exodus 34:5-6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, II Corinthians 13:14


SCRIPTURE
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the very God-breathed Word of Truth given through the apostles and prophets who wrote as the Holy Spirit spoke to and through them.

The Bible, as the very Word of God, is the reliable and authoritative source of all true doctrine, and gives reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. It is the authority on all matters of faith and conduct.

II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21, Psalm 119:80,105, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 24:35


JESUS
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. Begotten, not created. He is Immanuel: God with us. One with the Father and Spirit in essence and divinity. Present and active at the creation of the world, he then became incarnate through human birth by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

We affirm Jesus’ divinity, humanity, sinless life, miracles, teaching/commands/message, crucifixion, death, burial, and bodily resurrection. This same Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection and will return in like manner.

Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1-3,14, Philippians 2:6-8, Hebrews 4:14-15, Matthew 3:17, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 1:11


HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is co-equal with the Father and Son in the “Godhead.” A “who” not a “what,” he comes (proceeds) from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

 The Holy Spirit fills, guides, empowers, speaks to and gives gifts to believers for life with God and one another to produce fruitful lives and empower our witness to Christ and works of service which bring glory to our Father in Heaven.

 John 14:16-17, John 16:7-8, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 12:4-7

HUMANITY (IMAGO DEI)
God created humans in his own image as male and female by forming them from the earth and breathing his own Spirit to give them life. Every person, in their unique distinction, possesses dignity, value, capacity for relationship, and is rightfully deserving of love and honor as one whom God created, loves, and gave the life of his only Son to redeem.

Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:7, Psalm 8:4-6, Psalm 139:13-14, Acts 17:28


SIN
Through the deception of the serpent in Eden, sin separated Adam and Eve and their every descendant from God and his purpose for our lives. The image of God in humanity remains, but it is no longer undefiled. The consequence of sin was death – physical, spiritual, and relational. The impacts are evident in nature, relationships, and our own conscience. Right relationship and alignment with original design is impossible through our own power or effort and the greatest of human morality and righteousness is still more evil than it is good. We don’t just desire, but WE NEED A SAVIOR.

Genesis 3:6-7, Psalm 51:5, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, Luke 11:13


SALVATION
We affirm that Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection were in our place and fully atoned for our sin, fulfilling the old covenant and establishing a new covenant through his blood, which “purchased” our salvation, offering not only forgiveness, but full adoption as sons and daughters of God, co-heirs of his kingdom with Christ.

Psalm 103:12, John 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8-9, 8:15-17, I Peter 1:18-19, II Corinthians 5:21


MINISTRY (MISSIO DEI)
God created people for relationship with him. From creation, through the fall, in the present moment, and until he comes again, he continues to work through and toward relationship with us. His purposeful work in the world is called the missio Dei (mission of God: God actively redeeming and restoring humanity).

In Christ, every believer is joined to this same mission (purpose). Simply put, every member is a minister! As we share our lives (serve) and our story (testimony), the Holy Spirit draws, heals, and transforms others. We each have unique gifts and situations, but the same calling to represent Christ and advance his kingdom wherever we are until he returns and all creation is made whole by him.

Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11-12, I Corinthians 12:12, 27, John 20:21, Matthew 5:13-16, II Corinthians 5:18-20, Romans 8:19–23