STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

 The Bible

While God reveals Himself through His creation so that everyone is without excuse, He also reveals Himself through the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is complete in its present form, and we should not add to it or subtract from it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truthful, inerrant and infallible – the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

Romans 1:20; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:13; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

God 

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three comprise the Trinity, are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the First Person of the Trinity. The Son and the Holy Spirit are equal with the Father, but voluntarily submit to His will. The Father is an invisible spirit who is all-knowing and present everywhere at all times.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:5- 11; Romans 1:20

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. We teach that Jesus will return for His Church before the Great Tribulation and before His Millennial Kingdom, at which time He will return again to Earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:27, 34; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-31; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with sanctification – power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-14; John 14:25-26; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25

Human Beings

People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. Because the first man Adam disobeyed the revealed will of God in the Garden of Eden, he passed down to mankind a sinful nature. All people are sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore spiritually dead, in need of salvation.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation

Salvation is by God’s grace – a free gift to us; but we must accept it in order to obtain eternal life – thus avoiding eternity in hell. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we repent, turn from our selfish and sin-filled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. 

John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

Human Sexuality

Human sexuality is part of God’s plan and a gift to be expressed only within the context of marriage. God has commanded abstinence from any form of sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman and that any other expression is a perversion of God’s created order. God created human beings male and female; therefore we hold the distinction between the two sexes to be sacred. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to change the appearance or identity of one’s biological sex by medical, surgical, non-binary acts, conduct, or by any other means.

Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-19