Basic Beliefs:

Statements of our foundational beliefs about God, Jesus, The Bible, etc.:

There is one, true God who is uncreated and creator of everything. He is one divine essence in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each possess the full, undivided essence of God.

Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19

God is self-existent, He does not change, and is without limitation. He has no beginning and no ending. He is always in all places, has all power, and knows all things. He is holy and perfect in every way.

Psalm 139:7, 147:5, Isaiah 6:3, 43:10, Malachi 3:6, 1 Kings 8:27, Matthew 5:48, 19:26

God is spirit and the source of all life. God is perfectly wise and faithful. God is love; He is gracious, merciful, and always good. God is completely righteous and just. He rules over the universe and does everything for His glory.

Exodus 34:6, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 43:7, John 4:24, 5:26, Romans 16:27, 1 John 4:8

Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully human. As the Word of God, He is active in creating and sustaining all things. As the Messiah, He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and was authenticated through signs and wonders. He suffered and died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where he makes intercession for His people. He will one day return to judge the living and the dead and to reign forever.

Luke 1:35, John 20:30-31, Acts 17:31 Romans 8:34, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 4:15

The Holy Spirit is fully God, a helper who dwells in and with God’s people. He inspired the Scriptures and empowered the ministry of Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles. He provides illumination of truth, convicts of sin, and transforms lives. He sanctifies, seals, and guides believers. He distributes spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.

Matthew 3:16, Acts 1:8, 5:3-4, John 3:5-6, 16:7-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Galatians 5:16-25, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Peter 1:21

The Bible is God’s special revelation of Himself to humanity. He inspired human authors through His Spirit such that each word of the Scriptures is the Word of God, without any error. It is sufficient for the salvation, faith, and obedience of the believer and is the highest authority for the Christian life and church.

Matthew 5:18, Luke 24:44, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21

Humanity was specially created by God in His image for His glory and to share in the blessings of life. This gives each human life at every stage and condition incalculable value, dignity, and worth. We have both a physical body and an immaterial spirit.

Genesis 1:26-28, 2:7, Psalm 139:13-16, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Isaiah 43:7

Humans are created equally and innately as male and female. Marriage is given by God exclusively as the union of one man and one woman that reflects Christ’s relationship to His church. Biblical marriage is the sole relationship for the expression of human sexuality.

Genesis 1:27, 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:31-32

Sin is any breaking of the Law of God in act or attitude and includes both wrong things we do and right things we fail to do. All humans are born sinners and accountable for their sins before God. The penalty for sin is death and hell.

Psalm 51:5, Matthew 25:46, Romans 3:19,23, 5:18-19, 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 John 3:4

We are dead in our sins, unable to do good and please God. But God calls us through the preaching of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. We respond by repenting of our sin and placing our faith in Jesus. God forgives our sins, gives us the righteousness of Christ, and adopts us into His family. This salvation is a free gift of the grace of God and thus cannot be earned or lost. He then works with us to make us free of sin and more like Jesus. At the end of this life, our spirit goes to eternal life in heaven while our bodies await the resurrection. This is the only means of salvation given to humanity.

John 6:44, 10:27-29, Acts 2:38, 4:12, 20:21, Romans 8:8, 14-17, 30, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, 2 Corinthians 5:8, 21, Ephesians 2:1, 8-9, Philippians 2:12-13

The local church is a community of believers who have repented of their sin, trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and professed their commitment to Him through baptism. Under the direction of Jesus through His Spirit and the Scriptures, the church makes decisions and appoints leadership for the body. They gather regularly for preaching, worship, and discipleship. They go out to fulfill the great commandment and the great commission.

Matthew 22:36-40, 28:19-20, Romans 12:5, Galatians 6:1-2, Ephesians 4:1-6, Hebrews 10:24-25, 13:17

Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ and is by immersion for those who have placed their faith in Jesus.

Mark 1:9-10, Acts 8:12, Romans 6:3-4

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial and symbol of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Christians partake of it regularly to remember what He did, reaffirm our commitment, and to anticipate His return.

Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:24-29