WHAT WE BELIEVE
WHAT WE BELIEVE
WHAT WE BELIEVE
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ABOUT GOD
We believe in one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is infinite, which does not always make sense to our finite understanding. He is not limited by time or space. He is creator, eternal, all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; John 8:54-59; Genesis 1 and 2; Matthew 28:19)
ABOUT JESUS
Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, worked miracles and gave us an example to follow. Fully God and fully man, He died on a cross to pay the penalty for sin that separated us from God and rose from the dead to reconcile us to our Creator and to free us to have a new life in Him. Now, He sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us.
(Matthew 1:18-23; Hebrews 7:26; Acts 2:22; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 28:1-16; Acts 1:9, 11)
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is given to every follower of Christ to guide, comfort, convict, and adopt us into the family of God. He helps us grow into Christ-likeness by producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and He gives us spiritual gifts to empower us to meet the needs of God's people and a hurting world.
(John 14:16-17; John 20:22; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12 and 14)
ABOUT THE BIBLE
Comprised of 66 books authored over thousands of years by dozens of authors, the Bible tells one seamless story: a passionate God on a relentless pursuit to redeem His creation. The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God and is trustworthy and reliable for telling us what to believe and how to live.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)
ABOUT SALVATION
We were created in the image of God to have community with Him and represent Him on earth. However, through a willful act of disobedience, we were separated from Him. The Father sent Jesus to redeem us through an act of atonement which culminated with Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. This gave us the opportunity to trade our sin for His righteousness through faith. Jesus' sacrifice is the only means for our salvation and reconciliation with the Father. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved from our sin!
(Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:6; John 14:6; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:26; John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10)
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The Church is the Body of Christ and Jesus is the head of the Body. The Church is not a building or an event but the community of individuals who have put their trust in Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God, make disciples, make Jesus known to a lost world, and meet the needs of those in our communities and around the world.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
ABOUT THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
There are two ordinances of the Church — water baptism and communion. We celebrate water baptism as a first step of obedience for new followers of Christ, in which they identify with Christ's death and resurrection and make a public declaration of their faith. We also celebrate communion as an ongoing remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.
(Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
ABOUT MARRIAGE
Biblical marriage is between one man and one woman. Based on this strongly held Biblical belief, we only perform marriages between a natural born man and a natural born woman.
(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 20-25; Romans 1:26-27)
ABOUT THE FUTURE
In the end of all things, Jesus will reign eternally. He will judge His creation according to the character that has been revealed to us through His Word with justice and mercy. Those who have found salvation through Jesus Christ will enjoy His presence forever; those who have not will be separated from God for eternity.
(Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:1-9; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Corinthians 4:5)
WHAT WE BELIEVE
----------------------------------------
ABOUT GOD
We believe in one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is infinite, which does not always make sense to our finite understanding. He is not limited by time or space. He is creator, eternal, all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; John 8:54-59; Genesis 1 and 2; Matthew 28:19)
ABOUT JESUS
Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, worked miracles and gave us an example to follow. Fully God and fully man, He died on a cross to pay the penalty for sin that separated us from God and rose from the dead to reconcile us to our Creator and to free us to have a new life in Him. Now, He sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us.
(Matthew 1:18-23; Hebrews 7:26; Acts 2:22; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 28:1-16; Acts 1:9, 11)
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is given to every follower of Christ to guide, comfort, convict, and adopt us into the family of God. He helps us grow into Christ-likeness by producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and He gives us spiritual gifts to empower us to meet the needs of God's people and a hurting world.
(John 14:16-17; John 20:22; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12 and 14)
ABOUT THE BIBLE
Comprised of 66 books authored over thousands of years by dozens of authors, the Bible tells one seamless story: a passionate God on a relentless pursuit to redeem His creation. The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God and is trustworthy and reliable for telling us what to believe and how to live.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)
ABOUT SALVATION
We were created in the image of God to have community with Him and represent Him on earth. However, through a willful act of disobedience, we were separated from Him. The Father sent Jesus to redeem us through an act of atonement which culminated with Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. This gave us the opportunity to trade our sin for His righteousness through faith. Jesus' sacrifice is the only means for our salvation and reconciliation with the Father. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved from our sin!
(Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:6; John 14:6; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:26; John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10)
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The Church is the Body of Christ and Jesus is the head of the Body. The Church is not a building or an event but the community of individuals who have put their trust in Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God, make disciples, make Jesus known to a lost world, and meet the needs of those in our communities and around the world.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
ABOUT THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
There are two ordinances of the Church — water baptism and communion. We celebrate water baptism as a first step of obedience for new followers of Christ, in which they identify with Christ's death and resurrection and make a public declaration of their faith. We also celebrate communion as an ongoing remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.
(Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
ABOUT MARRIAGE
Biblical marriage is between one man and one woman. Based on this strongly held Biblical belief, we only perform marriages between a natural born man and a natural born woman.
(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 20-25; Romans 1:26-27)
ABOUT THE FUTURE
In the end of all things, Jesus will reign eternally. He will judge His creation according to the character that has been revealed to us through His Word with justice and mercy. Those who have found salvation through Jesus Christ will enjoy His presence forever; those who have not will be separated from God for eternity.
(Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:1-9; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Corinthians 4:5)
We are devoted to being one movement that is:
Spiritually dynamic
To glorify God in all we do, trusting in the authority of his Word, the sufficiency of his Son, the power of the Holy Spirit and his delight in prevailing prayer.
Mission-ally driven
We multiply trans-formational churches as we reproduce the life of Christ in disciples, leaders and congregations worldwide.
Relation-ally devoted
We display Christ’s love in our relationships and ministry partnerships, expressing his compassion, generosity and irenic spirit.
Culturally diverse
We advance Christ’s destiny for his church—a church that reflects the beauty and synergy of worshipers from all peoples and cultures.
Spiritually dynamic
To glorify God in all we do, trusting in the authority of his Word, the sufficiency of his Son, the power of the Holy Spirit and his delight in prevailing prayer.
Mission-ally driven
We multiply trans-formational churches as we reproduce the life of Christ in disciples, leaders and congregations worldwide.
Relation-ally devoted
We display Christ’s love in our relationships and ministry partnerships, expressing his compassion, generosity and irenic spirit.
Culturally diverse
We advance Christ’s destiny for his church—a church that reflects the beauty and synergy of worshipers from all peoples and cultures.
The Bible / The Word OF God
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Psalm 119:11, 89, 105 Isaiah 40:8 Matthew 22:29 John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17 Romans 15:4 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12 1 Peter 1:25 2 Peter 3:16
Trinity God
has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 61:1 Matthew 28:19 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 1:35 John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16 Romans 8:9-11 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 13:14 Hebrews 1:8-10 James 2:19
The Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14 Numbers 23:19 Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2 Psalm 11:4-6 Malachi 3:6 John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1 Acts 17:28 Romans 3:3-4
The Son
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
Isaiah 7:14; 53 Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6 Luke 22:70; 24:46-47 John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5 Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56 Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 Gal 4:4-5 Philippians 2:5-11 Colossians 1:15; 2:9 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2 Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff. Isaiah 61:1-3 Joel 2:28-32 Mark 1:10 Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12 John 15:26; 16:7-14 Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2 Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13-14 2 Peter 1:2 Revelation 22:17
The Eternity
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36 Romans 6:23 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13 Revelation 20:15
Man
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3 Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5 Isaiah 6:5 Jeremiah 17:5 Acts 17:26-31 Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22 Ephesians 2 Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7 Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6 Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32 John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24 Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31 Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6 1 Corinthians 1:18 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Galatians 2:20; 3:13 Ephesians 2:8-10 Philippians 2:12-13 Hebrews 9:24-28 Revelation 3:20
The Church
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20 Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12 Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32 Colossians 1:18; 3:15 1 Timothy 4:14 1 Peter 5:1-4 Revelation 21:2-3
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Psalm 119:11, 89, 105 Isaiah 40:8 Matthew 22:29 John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17 Romans 15:4 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12 1 Peter 1:25 2 Peter 3:16
Trinity God
has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 61:1 Matthew 28:19 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 1:35 John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16 Romans 8:9-11 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 13:14 Hebrews 1:8-10 James 2:19
The Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14 Numbers 23:19 Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2 Psalm 11:4-6 Malachi 3:6 John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1 Acts 17:28 Romans 3:3-4
The Son
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
Isaiah 7:14; 53 Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6 Luke 22:70; 24:46-47 John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5 Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56 Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 Gal 4:4-5 Philippians 2:5-11 Colossians 1:15; 2:9 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2 Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff. Isaiah 61:1-3 Joel 2:28-32 Mark 1:10 Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12 John 15:26; 16:7-14 Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2 Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13-14 2 Peter 1:2 Revelation 22:17
The Eternity
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36 Romans 6:23 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13 Revelation 20:15
Man
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3 Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5 Isaiah 6:5 Jeremiah 17:5 Acts 17:26-31 Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22 Ephesians 2 Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7 Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6 Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32 John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24 Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31 Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6 1 Corinthians 1:18 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Galatians 2:20; 3:13 Ephesians 2:8-10 Philippians 2:12-13 Hebrews 9:24-28 Revelation 3:20
The Church
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20 Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12 Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32 Colossians 1:18; 3:15 1 Timothy 4:14 1 Peter 5:1-4 Revelation 21:2-3
What We Believe
The deity of Christ
His virgin birth
His sinless lifeHis miracles
His vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood
His bodily resurrection
His ascension to the right hand of the Father
His personal return to power and glory
The salvation of every man is essential, resulting in eternal life in heaven. They that are lost are condemned to eternal damnation in hell.
According to John 3:16, God desires that all come to repentance and accept God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The deity of Christ
His virgin birth
His sinless lifeHis miracles
His vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood
His bodily resurrection
His ascension to the right hand of the Father
His personal return to power and glory
The salvation of every man is essential, resulting in eternal life in heaven. They that are lost are condemned to eternal damnation in hell.
According to John 3:16, God desires that all come to repentance and accept God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.