WHAT WE BELIEVE
**ABOUT SCRIPTURE**
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. All 66 books, both Old and New Testaments, were given by God to human writers and are without error in their original form. The Bible is of supreme and final authority in matters of faith and life. We believe the Bible is entirely relevant to our lives here and now and provides a blueprint to live the best life possible, both on earth and for eternity. No other writings exist that are similarly inspired by God. *(2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:105, 160; Hebrews 4:12)*
**ABOUT GOD**
We believe there is one living and true God, Creator, and Lord of everything. He is infinitely perfect, all-powerful, and self-existent eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. *(Isaiah 43:10, 11; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; John 14:15-17; Galatians 4:4-6; John 1:1)*
**GOD THE FATHER**
We believe that the Father is the Creator and Ruler of all. He is compassionate, loving, and just toward all people and is faithful to keep His promises. He hears and answers prayer. He calls people to believe in Him and saves from sin and eternal death each person who comes to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. *(Ephesians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:4, 5; Matthew 7:7)*
Exodus 34:5-7)
**GOD THE SON**
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is fully God and fully man, a supernatural union of two distinct natures in one person. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died willingly on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. We believe that He rose bodily from the dead to show His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father where He presently serves as an advocate for all believers. *(Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 24:1-8; John 1:14, 3:16-18, 11:25; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:24, 25; Romans 5:8-11)*
**GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT**
We believe the Holy Spirit is present in the world to cause mankind to be aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in each Christian from the moment of salvation and provides them with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Christians seek to live under His control daily. *(John 14:15-17 14:25, 26, 16:79; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)*
**ABOUT MAN**
We believe that human beings were created in God’s image according to the literal account of creation in Genesis. However, because of Adam’s sin, they now possess a sinful nature and continue to actively sin. Without God’s intervention, every person is doomed to an eternity of punishment and separation from God because of this sin. *(Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7, 16, 17; Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1)*
**ABOUT SATAN**
We believe that Satan rebelled against God and became the author of sin. He is man’s great tempter and is at war with God for the souls of man. Satan and his followers will be eternally punished in Lake of Fire. *(Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 20:10)*
**ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL**
We believe Heaven and Hell are both real places where human beings exist after death. Every human being will exist eternally, either in God’s presence in Heaven, or separated from Him in Hell. We believe that the biblical descriptions of Heaven and Hell give us a general understanding of these places, but the realities of each will be far beyond what we can imagine or understand. *(Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 21:3-5, 22:5)*
**ABOUT SALVATION**
We believe that salvation is a free gift from God to man. Because of sin, mankind cannot repair his broken relationship with God. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. The gift of salvation provides immediate restoration of a person’s relationship with God and, through yielding to the Holy Spirit, a lifetime of continuing transformation of that person’s character into the character of Christ.
**ABOUT CHRIST'S RETURN**
We believe in the pre-millenial, physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth to judge the world, to gather those who have put their faith in Him, and to punish those who have continued to rebel against Him. While the exact moment of His return will not be known, the fact that He will return should cause us to live with urgency and should be a great hope to everyone who trusts Him.
**ABOUT THE CHURCH**
We believe that all those anywhere who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord make up the one true church. The purpose of a local church is to organize Christians to reach unbelievers with the message of salvation, serve as a corporate body for worship of God, provide fellowship for Christians with each other, develop the gifts and talents of Christians for godly service, and practice baptism and communion. We believe baptism and communion are God’s ordinances to be observed by believers in Jesus Christ but not to be regarded as means of salvation.
**ABOUT FAITH & PRACTICE**
We believe Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We as a church recognize that we cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in these areas by the Lord to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible. By adhering to God’s Word and seeking Him, we can best observe His greatest commandments which are to love Him and others.
