What we believe.

We believe the Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament are fully inspired by God and both inerrant and infallible. We believe the 66 books of the Old Testament and the New Testament are God’s complete and sufficient revelation and therefore carry God’s authority for the total well-being of mankind. (Psalm 119:97–104; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18; John 5:46–47; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15–16)

There is only one true God, and God simultaneously exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three persons are equally deserving of worship and honor. The three persons of the Trinity have distinct but complementary roles in the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan. (Genesis 1:1, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1; Romans 1:19–20)

We believe in the only true God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He created all things and upholds all things by the Word of His power. He is a God of truth and without iniquity; He is just and right, and He shall judge the world. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 9:8; Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 12:29; John 1:1–4; John 17:3; Revelation 4:11)

We believe Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. In His humanity, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He performed miracles and taught with authority, giving evidence of His position in the Trinity. In death, He was the atoning sacrifice for our sins. In His resurrection, He was victorious over death, ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, and now intercedes for His people as the eternal high priest. (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:34–35; John 1:1, 14, 18; John 8:58; John 14:8–9; Colossians 1:15–19; Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 2:6–11; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:42–46; Acts 1:6–11; Hebrews 7:23–25; Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 2:22)

We believe in the total deity of the Holy Spirit and that His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ; convict the world of sin, of God’s righteousness, and of coming judgment; regenerate the sinner upon belief in Christ; and baptize the believer into one body of which Christ is the head. The Holy Spirit indwells, guides, instructs, fills, comforts, and empowers the believer for godly living. (Mark 13:11; John 14:26; John 16:8–14; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16)

We believe humanity was created in innocence under the law of its Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that sinless and happy state. Consequently, all mankind is sinful—both by inheritance and by personal choice—and is under just condemnation without defense or excuse. We believe every man and woman is totally depraved and in need of a Savior. (Genesis 3:1–6; Romans 3:10–19; Romans 1:18, 32; Romans 5:12)

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice needed to reconcile the broken relationship between God and humanity. All who by faith receive Him as their personal Savior are justified on the basis of His blood shed on Calvary. Those who turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have new and eternal life. They are born again of the Holy Spirit and become eternally secure as children of God. The Holy Spirit baptizes a person who believes into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation. (Romans 8:37–39; Romans 10:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

We believe in a literal heaven and literal hell. Those who have salvation through Christ will be in unity with God for all eternity. Those who reject God’s free gift of salvation through Christ will be eternally tormented in hell in conscious separation from God. (Matthew 8:11–12; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:49–50; Matthew 25:34; Mark 9:47–48; Luke 12:5; John 14:2; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 21:8)

The Church is people and includes everyone who has experienced spiritual birth. Followers of Jesus Christ form local churches that worship, serve, and grow together. We grow in relationship with God through the study and application of His Word, which also leads us to love one another. Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, baptism and communion, fellowship, service through the use of gifts, and outreach in fulfillment of Christ’s command to make disciples. (Ephesians 5:23; Romans 12:1; Acts 2:42–46; Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Matthew 28:19–20)

Baptism and communion are the two ordinances required in the church. Christian baptism by immersion is a public identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection and is not salvific. Although baptism is not required for salvation, it is commanded of all believers and is for believers only. Communion commemorates Christ’s death and, through the bread and juice, remembers the Savior’s broken body and shed blood. It is a time of confession and careful self-examination. (Matthew 26:26–29; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 18:8; Romans 6:1–6; Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 11:20–29)

The natural life of the Christian is to become more like Jesus—taking on His actions and attitudes. A person committed to Christ personally adores and corporately worships Him, abides with Him, participates in spiritual community, loves freely, serves sacrificially, gives generously, and openly proclaims the good news of Jesus. This life develops a stronger desire for holiness, spiritual fruit, growth in sanctification, and a closer relationship with Christ. God gives spiritual gifts to all His people for mutual ministry in the healthy local church. (Ephesians 4:11–12; Colossians 1:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:2)

We believe marriage is created by God to be shared between one man and one woman in a lifelong holy covenant for companionship, sexual intimacy, and procreation. Our created gender, sexuality, and sexual fulfillment are gifts from the Creator to be embraced with gratitude and worship. God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed and consummated only between a man and a woman united as one flesh in marriage. (Genesis 1:27–28; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6)

Someday Jesus Christ will bodily return to earth to consummate His kingdom. Every person who has ever lived will be brought before God for final judgment. Those who have not come to faith in Jesus Christ will spend eternity separated from God’s loving favor. Those who have experienced spiritual birth will live in the joyous presence of God forever. (Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20–24, 35–58; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:4–15)