The Bible Is God’s Word. The Bible is more than just a written collection of documents; it records God’s revealing of himself to us. Although it was created by human authors in their own times, culture, and languages (and must be read and interpreted correctly), it is the “inspired” Word of God that contains the supreme source of truth about God, his plan for our salvation, and the way that God intends for us to live our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

God is the Creator who Rules the entire universe. We believe what the Bible says about who God is. He is the creator (Genesis 1:1). He is also the ruler of the world. He has revealed himself to us as the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and also as the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures teach that God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus is the Son of God. We believe that Jesus is divine (John 1:1). He is also God’s unique Son (John 3:16). His birth 2000 years ago was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel in the Scripture (especially Abraham and King David) about the Messiah (or the Christ). Jesus as the Messiah is both Lord and God. We believe what the Scripture says about his miraculous conception and his sinless life. We believed he died for the sins of the whole world and to be our savior. We believe he rose again, ascended into heaven, and will come again in power and glory to raise the dead and judge all people.

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

People were made in the image of God. We believe that people were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and that all life is valuable to God. We believe what the Scripture says about the fall of humanity–that Adam and Eve sin, rebelled, and fell from God’s perfect plan (Genesis 3) and as a result every person is born into a world of sin and brokenness. Apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ all people are lost (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; 6:23

Salvation comes through Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ came “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) because God loves everyone (John 3:16). Because all people are sinful and because sin leads to an eternal separation from God (Romans 3:23; 6:23), Christ came to save everyone (Romans 5:8). Salvation is a free gift given by God but requires our personal faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 14:6) and will naturally result in our open confession of that faith (Romans 10:9). This faith makes possible a  new spiritual beginning (John 3:16) that should continue to grow throughout all of life (2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 2:12). Ultimately salvation will be realized and finalized at the return of Christ (1 Peter 1:3-12; Revelation 21-22).

Luke 19:10; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 14:6; 2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:3-12; Revelation 21-22

The Spirit of God lives in each Christian life. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:9), and by whom the church is empowered to carry out Christ’s great commission (Acts 1:8).

1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:9; Acts 1:8

Jesus Christ will come to raise and judge the dead. The Scriptures teach that when Jesus Christ returns he will both raise and judge the dead (Acts 17:31; 10:42). The bodily resurrection of the dead, as taught in the Old Testament (Daniel 12:2) is further explained in the New Testament (John 5:24-30; 2 Corinthians 5:10;  1 Corinthians 15). We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of life and those who are lost unto the resurrection of eternal punishment (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:31-46;  2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Mark 9:42-50; Revelation 21:8).

Acts 17:31; 10:42; Daniel 12:2; John 5:24-30; 2 Corinthians 5:10;  1 Corinthians 15; Matthew 7:21-23; 24:31-46;  2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Mark 9:42-50; Revelation 21:8

Baptism is a symbolic act of following Jesus Christ. We believe what the Scripture teaches about baptism. Baptism was something Jesus modeled for us by being baptized (Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 3:16-17) but also something he commanded us to do (Matthew 28:19-20). Early Christians came to understand baptism as a symbol of joining Jesus in his death and resurrection (Acts 2:41; 8:12; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-7). Once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, baptism is a public way to declare their new life in Christ.

Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-7

We subscribe to the motto “in essentials unity, non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.” The beliefs outlined above are essential but not all beliefs are essential. Christians have liberty to agree to disagree about many areas of the Christian faith. How we should “disagree” though is important. The Bible lays out a framework that encourages “the strong” to be respectful of “the weak” (Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22) and not to use our freedoms without the thought of consequences on others (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).