Core Beliefs
What We Believe
Our doctrines have been closely and carefully organized and formulated in a way that we can understand and teach them:
The Apostles’ Creed
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell; on the third day, He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant.
Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25–26
The Trinity
There is one God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and coeternal.
Scripture References: 1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7–11
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man to have ever lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind, and thus atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory.
Scripture References: John 1:1; John 1:14; John 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5–6; 1 Timothy 2:5
The Virgin Birth
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father through the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God.
Scripture References: Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27–35
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression, he fell. His only hope for redemption is in Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:26–31; Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 5:12–21
Regeneration
For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential.
Scripture References: John 6:44; John 6:65; Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and through His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God and is not a result of our good works or any human effort.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:8–9; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22
Repentance
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance, we receive forgiveness of sins and salvation.
Scripture References: Acts 2:21; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that Christians are enabled to live godly lives.
Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 2:11
The Blood of Jesus
The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross at Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be freed from the penalty of sin, which is death.
Scripture References: 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10–12; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:9; John 1:29
Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers
Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them through His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives to Him, thus making Jesus the Lord and Savior of their lives. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead.
Scripture References: John 1:12; John 14:17; John 14:23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Given at Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth.
Scripture References: Joel 2:28–29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:1–4; Acts 2:17; Acts 2:38–39; Acts 8:14–17; Acts 10:38; Acts 10:44–47; Acts 11:15–17; Acts 19:1–6
Gifts of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the gospel.
The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters.
Scripture References: Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11; Romans 12:4–8; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6–7; 1 Corinthians 12:1–31; 1 Corinthians 14:1–40; 1 Peter 4:10
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ and the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:19–22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11
Two Sacraments
Water Baptism
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture References: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; Acts 10:47–48
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice, representing the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, are received in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Scripture References: Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25
Healing of the Sick
Healing the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus and is included in the commission Jesus gave to His disciples. It is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also part of Jesus’ work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.
Scripture References: Psalm 103:2–3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16–17; Mark 16:17–18; Acts 8:6–7; James 5:14–16; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 11:29
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected: those who are saved to the resurrection of life and those who are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.
Scripture References: Luke 24:16; Luke 24:36; Luke 24:39; John 2:19–21; John 20:26–28; John 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42; 1 Corinthians 15:44; Philippians 1:21–23; Philippians 3:21
Heaven
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 19:21; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4
Hell
After living life on earth, unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell, where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels.
Scripture References: Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43–48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9–11; Revelation 20:12–15; Revelation 21:8
The Second Coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur on a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.
Scripture References: Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:63–64; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8; Revelation 1:7
God’s Will for Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman for life. His plan from the beginning has not changed. He desires sex to be enjoyed only within the marriage covenant between a man and a woman.
We affirm that there are only two genders, male and female, created by God. We welcome all people to worship at our church, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, background, culture, or any other identifying markers. While we welcome all people, we do not affirm all beliefs, lifestyles, or behaviors.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9
Our doctrines have been closely and carefully organized and formulated in a way that we can understand and teach them:
The Apostles’ Creed
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell; on the third day, He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant.
Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25–26
The Trinity
There is one God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and coeternal.
Scripture References: 1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7–11
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man to have ever lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind, and thus atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory.
Scripture References: John 1:1; John 1:14; John 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5–6; 1 Timothy 2:5
The Virgin Birth
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father through the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God.
Scripture References: Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27–35
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression, he fell. His only hope for redemption is in Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:26–31; Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 5:12–21
Regeneration
For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential.
Scripture References: John 6:44; John 6:65; Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and through His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God and is not a result of our good works or any human effort.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:8–9; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22
Repentance
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance, we receive forgiveness of sins and salvation.
Scripture References: Acts 2:21; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that Christians are enabled to live godly lives.
Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 2:11
The Blood of Jesus
The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross at Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be freed from the penalty of sin, which is death.
Scripture References: 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10–12; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:9; John 1:29
Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers
Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them through His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives to Him, thus making Jesus the Lord and Savior of their lives. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead.
Scripture References: John 1:12; John 14:17; John 14:23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Given at Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth.
Scripture References: Joel 2:28–29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:1–4; Acts 2:17; Acts 2:38–39; Acts 8:14–17; Acts 10:38; Acts 10:44–47; Acts 11:15–17; Acts 19:1–6
Gifts of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the gospel.
The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters.
Scripture References: Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11; Romans 12:4–8; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6–7; 1 Corinthians 12:1–31; 1 Corinthians 14:1–40; 1 Peter 4:10
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ and the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:19–22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11
Two Sacraments
Water Baptism
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture References: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; Acts 10:47–48
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice, representing the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, are received in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Scripture References: Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25
Healing of the Sick
Healing the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus and is included in the commission Jesus gave to His disciples. It is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also part of Jesus’ work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.
Scripture References: Psalm 103:2–3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16–17; Mark 16:17–18; Acts 8:6–7; James 5:14–16; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 11:29
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected: those who are saved to the resurrection of life and those who are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.
Scripture References: Luke 24:16; Luke 24:36; Luke 24:39; John 2:19–21; John 20:26–28; John 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42; 1 Corinthians 15:44; Philippians 1:21–23; Philippians 3:21
Heaven
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Scripture References: Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 19:21; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4
Hell
After living life on earth, unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell, where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels.
Scripture References: Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43–48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9–11; Revelation 20:12–15; Revelation 21:8
The Second Coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur on a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.
Scripture References: Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:63–64; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8; Revelation 1:7
God’s Will for Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman for life. His plan from the beginning has not changed. He desires sex to be enjoyed only within the marriage covenant between a man and a woman.
We affirm that there are only two genders, male and female, created by God. We welcome all people to worship at our church, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, background, culture, or any other identifying markers. While we welcome all people, we do not affirm all beliefs, lifestyles, or behaviors.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9