What We Believe
The Scriptures
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness--2 Timothy 3:16
We believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired written Word of God, It is an essential
and infallible self-disclosure of God to mankind. The Bible contains everything
that man needs for life and godliness. It convicts man of his sin and separation
from God. It leads unregenerate man to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and through
its study and application is a transforming agent for every believer to become refashioned
in the image of Christ.
The Scriptures are complete in themselves and may not be changed or altered in any
way, nor are they subject to private interpretation. (See 2 Peter 1:20). Its authority
cannot be nullified through tradition or extra-biblical revelation.
God
There is one God who is infinite, eternal, almighty, and invisible. Although He
has revealed Himself to man in many ways (See Romans 1:20), God does not try to
prove or explain His existence. He simply requires that by faith we believe that
He is. (See Hebrews 11:6.) His attributes include omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotence
(all-powerful), and omnipresence (all-present).
God expresses His personhood through a triune Godhead consisting of God the Father,
God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (See 2 Corinthians 13-14.) Each of them is
co-existent, co-eternal, and co-equal, yet each of them has a distinct personality
and each fulfills a distinct purpose in creation and redemption while still working
in harmony together.
One God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-is the foundation for the Christian faith.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was the eternal Word made flesh. (See
John1:1, 14). He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin
Mary, and was perfect in all His ways, living a completely obedient and sinless
life. Jesus is fully God and fully man-the perfect God-Man. He was always with God
and is God. He was before all things, and through Him all things came into being
and were created. He holds all things together by the Word of His power. He is the
image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, and in Him dwells the
fullness of the Godhead bodily. )See Colossians 1:15; 2:9.) He is the only Savior
for the sins of mankind, having died a vicarious death at Calvary. He rose bodily
from the grave, victorious over the powers of sin and death. He ascended into heaven
and sits at God's right hand where He intercedes for His people and rules as Lord
over all. He is the Head of His Body, the Church, and is worthy of all praise, glory,
and honor.
Man
God created man, male and female, in His image and likeness as the highest order
and crown of His creation. Tempted by Satan, man sinned and rebelled against God,
thereby separating himself from God's grace and fellowship and marring the image
in which he was created. Only through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the perfect
God-man, can man be restored to relationship with God and recreated in His image
and likeness.
Apart from the salvation that is in Christ, all men regardless of their character
or accomplishments are fallen and sinful in nature and are subject o God's divine
wrath. "For all have sinned and fall short of the gory of God" (Romans 3:23.) But
through salvation in Christ redeemed mankind becomes sons of God and joint heirs
with Christ. (See Romans 8:15-17.)
The Gospel
The gospel is very simple. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (Romans
1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only means that God provided for man to
have eternal life and be restores to a right relationship with Him.
Water Baptism
Scripture commands that all believers repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins. (See Acts 2:38.) Water baptism is an act of faith
that indentifies each believer with Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. Each facet
of water baptism illustrates the believer's identification with the redemptive work
of Christ. Being submerged under the water portrays our identification with His
death on the cross and His burial. Emerging from the water portrays the believer
being raised in the newness of life in the likeness of the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
A disciple of Jesus Christ should not consider water baptism optional. Those who
are serious about serving God wholeheartedly will embrace the command to be baptized
as well as the other statutes, ordinance, and teachings of Christ.
Holy Spirit Baptism
In water baptism the believer is baptized into Christ, and His Body, however,
Jesus promised to baptize us with the Holy Spirit to empower us to be his witnesses
and accomplish the supernatural ministry and mission of the Church. (See Matthew
3:11.) The Holy Spirit desires to fill each believer and impart His supernatural
gifts for the edification of the Body and the work of the ministry in the world.
(See Acts 1:8.) Speaking in tongues is an evidence that one has received the gift
of the Holy Spirit. We believe that all the gifts of the Spirit as taught in 1 Corinthians
12:4-10 are in operation in the Church today. We consider these gifts essential
tools to accomplish the mission of the church in the world today.
The Universal Church
The word, church, simply means "the called out ones." Every person who has responded
to the gospel of Jesus Christ, repented of his sins, and placed his faith and trust
for salvation the person of Jesus Christ becomes a member of the company of saints
who have been called out of darkness of the world and into the marvelous light of
the kingdom of God. (See 1 Peter 2:0.)
The church is not a religious institution or an organization but a living organism
whose sole purpose is to worship and glorify God while faithfully serving the purpose
of God on earth.
The Local Church
All members of the Church universal need to be active and committed members of
a local church. Only in this setting can the reality of the New Covenant be experienced
so richly and fully. The local church provides the believer the opportunity to be
trained and equipped to serve through exposure to the five-fold ministries that
the ascended Christ has bestowed upon the Church. (See Ephesians 4:11.)
The local church also provides the proper setting for meaningful relationships
to be cultivated and build. Through close relationships effective ministry takes
place and the needs of people's lives are met.
Pastoral care and leadership are further indispensable benefits of local church
membership. It is God's loving intent to have His precious flock tended and protected
by trained and caring men and women whom He has anointed and gifted for such vital
service.
Church Government
This church is led in its vision, ministries, and finances by the teaching and
overseeing elder who is submitted to the full council of elders. Together this council
has the responsibility and authority to lead this body in all its affairs. Additionally,
a deaconate of responsible men and women serve in many practical areas. We, as a
body, are committed to accountability and unity in all our undertakings for the
kingdom of God.
The Consummation
The consummation of all things includes the visible, personal, and glorious return
of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the translation of those
who are alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and unjust, and the fulfillment
of Christ's Kingdom in the new heavens and new earth. (See 2 Peter 3:13.)
In the consummation, Satan with his demonic hosts and all those outside of Christ
will be finally and eternally separated from the presence of God, enduring eternal
punishment in the lake of fire, but the righteous in glorious bodies shall live
and reign with Him forever. Married to Christ as His Bride, the Church will be in
the presence of God forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory.