We are a non-denominational church, committed to Christianity as it is expressed in the Bible… and over the years, we have come to convictions regarding what we believe are Biblical truths for our faith. Below are what we believe are primary doctrines of the Christian faith, and reflect the heart of the teaching and preaching ministry of this local church. We acknowledge the Bible as our authority and the following statements should help you understand our beliefs that fundamentally define who we are:
What We Believe
There is only one true and living God Who is perfect, personal, infinite, and He exists eternally in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 139:8; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6). God is the first Person of the Trinity. He orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace. He is sovereign in providence and redemption (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). We believe He is the sole Creator of the universe, which He accomplished from no pre-existing substance, but by the creative power of His spoken Word (Genesis 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-3).
Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity, possessing all the divine excellencies and is co-equal with the Father. He is true Man at the same time (Philippians 2:5-8; Micah 5:2; Colossians 2:9). He is the virgin born Son of the living God (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-25; Luke 1:26-35), was God in human flesh (John 1:1, 3, 14, 18 1 John 1:3). He lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15), died on the cross in the place of our sins (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:8), rose physically from the grave (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31), ascended to sit at the right hand of God to intercede on every believer’s behalf (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:9-11), and is returning to receive His church and rule and reign forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20).
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. A divine Person, eternal (Hebrews 9:14) and co-equal with the Father (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:2-6). The Holy Spirit:
- Convicts of sin (John 16:8-11)
- Glorifies JESUS CHRIST (John 15:26)
- Regenerates the unsaved (John 3:5-8)
- Indwells the believer (John 14:16-18; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- Comforts the afflicted (John 14:16, 26)
- Equips the saints with gifts (Romans 12; Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12)
- Sanctifies (Romans 15:16)
- Unifies the body (Ephesians 4:3)
- Assures us of our salvation (1 John 3:24)
- Teaches us the Word of God (John 14:17, 26)
We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And the evidence of His presence in our lives will be the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
The Bible is the book God wrote for us. It’s true, it’s accurate, it’s authentic and it’s absolutely applicable to our lives today. Get it, read it & live it! It is the only authority for all faith and practice (Psalm 19:1-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 24:34-35).
The Bible teaches that man is by nature a sinner (Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3). We’re not perfect. We’ve sinned — ALL of us. We need help. We need Him. We also need each other, and that’s what Church is all about. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23, 6:23, Acts 4:12)
It’s a gift. It’s free. It’s God’s grace, not your good deeds. Jesus’ death allows your sins – all of them – to be forgiven. Wiped out, canceled, deleted, erased…you get the picture. The gift is free; all you have to do is accept it.
(John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:6, Acts 2:38)
Why should I be Baptized?
- To follow the example set by Christ. (Mark 1:9)
- Because Christ commanded it. (Matthew 28:19-20)
- It shows you are a believer. (Acts 18:8)
- Obeying Christ’s commands shows you know Him. (1 John 2:3)
What does Baptism mean?
- It’s symbolic of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
- It’s symbolic of your new life as a Christian. (2 Corinthians 5:17 & Romans 6:4)
Why be Baptized by immersion?
- Jesus was baptized by immersion. (Matthew 3:16)
- Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. (Acts 8:38-39)
- The word “baptize” literally means “to immerse or dip under water.” (Acts 18:8)
- Baptism by immersion illustrates the burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Can my child be Baptized?
- The one requirement for Baptism is belief in Christ! We don’t baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe. When a child believes and understands the meaning of baptism, we’ll gladly baptize them as a symbol of their faith in Christ.
The Bible teaches that JESUS established two ordinances: The Lord’s Supper (Communion) and Baptism. Only contrite, repentant believers who have carefully examined themselves should partake of this supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). The Bible does not set a prescribed time for observing this supper, but we make it available during services (Acts 20:7), on a weekly basis, here at our church.
JESUS simply said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
The Bible teaches that the local church is to be governed by a plurality of godly leaders called elders (1 Timothy 5:17). The qualifications for these men are found in (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and in Titus 1:6-9). The responsibility of the elders is to shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3). The responsibility of the believers is to obey the elders and submit to them in love (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17).
Though it has multitudes of diverse expressions, there is only one Church of Jesus Christ. It consists of all who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The mission of the church is to make disciples of all nations by calling people to repent, to be baptized, and to love God and neighbor by sharing and showing the good news of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that all who place their faith in the Lord JESUS CHRIST are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into one, united spiritual body (1 Corinthians 12:13). The head of this body is JESUS (Ephesians 5:23b; Colossians 1:18). The task of this “body” of believers is to make disciples in all the world by winning the lost to Christ and equipping them for ministry (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 1:28-29).
The Bible teaches that if someone is sick they may call for the elders of the church to come and anoint them with oil and pray for them (James 5:14-15).
The Bible teaches that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3). In fact, we are commanded to praise the Lord and to worship Him (Psalm 150). Our worship and praise to God may express itself in many forms: clapping and shouting (Psalm 47:1), singing (Psalm 95:1-2), bowing and kneeling (Psalm 95:6), lifting hands (Psalm 63:4), or even by playing musical instruments (Psalm 150:3-5). Worship is the pouring out of all that we are in adoration to Him for all that He is.
They’re real — very real. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to share the good news about Jesus. God doesn’t want anybody to choose Hell, but He wants everybody with Him in Heaven. That’s why we do what we do.(Acts 1:10-11, John 5:28-29, Daniel 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:14)