THEOLOGY

The Bible

The Bible is the fully inspired Word of God in both the Old and New Testaments, without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct, and still penetrates people’s hearts today. 


2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; Hebrews  4:12; 2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Timothy 5:18; 1 Corinthians 14:37; John 17:17

The Trinity

There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection and execute distinct but harmonious functions in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. 


John 1:3,10; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:3-14

God the Father

God the Father is an infinite, unchanging, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, sovereignty, and love. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.  


Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; John 3:16; Psalm 68:5; Psalm 89:26; Matthew 6:9; Matthew 26:39; 2 Peter 1:17; 2 John 1:3 

God the Son, Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God’s one and only Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin. Jesus lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and his teachings are recorded in the gospels.  Jesus’ death was our substitutionary atonement. Jesus had a bodily resurrection, ascended into heaven, is interceding for His people, and will have a personal visible return to reign forever as King of earth. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father’s being and the Christian’s best example for holy conduct.


Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5,14; John 10:25-30; Mark 10:45; Hebrews  4:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Romans 1:3-6; Acts 1:9-11; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit actively and permanently lives inside every believer in Christ from the moment of salvation, and He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.


John 16:7-15, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14;  Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:9-11

Creation

I believe in the scriptural account of creation; that God created out of nothing the universe and all that is in it, including people.


Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19:1-2; Psalm 104; Jeremiah 10:12; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11

Humanity

We believe that men and women were created in the image of God for relationship with God. However, they fell from their original state through their disobedience to God in the garden; and since then all people are sinners by nature and by choice. We believe that people are separated from God by sin, and cannot by themselves be rejoined to God by their own effort or merit.


Genesis 1:26-31; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23, 6:23; Isaiah 59:2

Marriage

God created men and women unique, which means biological sex determines one’s gender.  Likewise, marriage is the union of one man and one woman in a lifelong covenant relationship. This definition of marriage was defined in creation, confirmed by Jesus, reiterated by the Apostle Paul, and affirmed throughout Church history by leaders of the Christian faith.  Sexual relations are to be exercised solely between one man and one woman in a monogamous covenantal marriage. Therefore, any sexual relations outside of marriage, including but not limited to adultery, polygamy, polyamorous, pornography, premarital sex, and same sex activity are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church.  Without affirming sin, we show love to all people living in brokenness.


Genesis 1:28, 2:24, Matthew 19:3-6; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:31-33; Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Salvation

Jesus’ death and resurrection are the only way for humanity to be restored to their relationship with God. Salvation is a free gift of God only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from any human merit. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are saved and are immediately a part of the kingdom of God. 


Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 5:1; John 10:29;  I Peter 1:3-5 

The Church

The Church is the universal family of God, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The Church consists of all saved people commanded and empowered to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. The local church consists of a community of Jesus’ followers, baptized on credible profession of faith, and committed to worship, evangelism, instruction, spiritual growth, and serving.


Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 10:25; 2 Timothy 2:19; Ephesians 4:11-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 6:40 

The Christian Life

Christians will strive to glorify God; grow to be more like Jesus; love one another; exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit; faithfully steward  their time, talents, and resources for the kingdom of God; and reach unbelievers with the love and truth of Jesus.


Romans 15:5-6; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; Luke 6:40; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 28:19- 20; John 13:34 

The Ordinances: Baptism and Communion

Jesus has committed two ordinances to the Church: Baptism and Communion. Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Communion was instituted by Christ for the commemoration of His death, the elements being symbolic. These two ordinances should be observed until the return of Jesus Christ.


Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; Mark 14:22-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

Second Coming

I believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ for his followers when Jesus will reign forever on earth.


Psalm 2; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Revelation 20:1-6 

Eternity

All people were created to exist forever, and will experience bodily resurrection and judgment. Jesus’ followers will receive eternal life with God in a real place known as heaven and also be rewarded for works done in this life,and unbelievers will be eternally separated from God in a real place known as hell.  


John 3:16-18; Romans 6:2; Revelation 20:10-15; Matthew 25:46; 1 John 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 5:12; Revelation 22:12