What We Believe

Anyone familiar with historic Christian doctrine will find that our Statement of Faith falls in the center of evangelical theology. In other words, it is biblical theology rather than speculative theology or theology rooted in tradition. We try not to be dogmatic about matters on which Bible-based believers have held divergent views. We want our core beliefs to be centered in Christ and His message, as found in and supported by the clearest passages of Scripture. More obscure doctrines, or teachings with less support, are left to individuals to sort out in their own relationships with God.

The Bible teaches that:

  • There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17, John 14:9-10 & 26, 1 Corinthians 8:6)

  • God is the creator of humans and of all things. (Genesis 1:1, Acts 17:24-28)

  • The Bible is the inspired and totally inerrant Word of God, and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

  • All people have sinned, and as a result, are lost and without hope apart from Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12, Romans 3:23, Luke 19:10)

  • Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, Who died for our sins and arose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 3:16)

  • Salvation (the forgiveness of sins) comes by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ (His death on the cross. (Matthew 26:28, Romans 5:8-11, Ephesians 2:8-9)

  • The New Testament teaches that the pattern to accept God’s grace is to believe in Jesus as God’s Son and Savior of the world, repent of personal sin, confess publicly that Christ is Lord, and be immersed in baptism. (Luke 24:45-47, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-7, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:9)

  • The Holy Spirit dwells within every Christian, and is a Gift promised to every penitent believer at baptism. Through the Spirit, God gives the power to live holy lives, and guidance in following God’s will. The Spirit empowers, equips, encourages, and comforts followers of Jesus in their service to Christ. (John 16:5-15, Acts 2:38, Galatians 5:22-25, Romans 8:26)

  • The Church is the body and bride of Christ, founded on the day of Pentecost, consisting of all Christians everywhere. (Matthew 16:13-18, Acts 2:14-47)

  • The saved will inherit eternal life; the unsaved, eternal separation from God. (Romans 8:10-11, John 6:47, Mark 16:16, John 3:18)

  • We believe that Jesus Christ will one day return to gather His followers and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. (Mark 13:26-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Additionally, one way we remember Christ's sacrifice is through weekly communion, which exists as an opportunity to both celebrate and reflect on all He has done for us.