Core Doctrinal Beliefs
God:
We believe that God is the eternal creator of all things. He preexists time and space, and is separate from his creation. All things were created by him “ex-nihilo” (out of nothing). Though He is separate from His creation, God is also immanent and active within creation. God is one in essence but eternally exists in 3 persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe God is sovereign over His creation and has full knowledge of all things- past, present, and future.
Jesus:
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and the promised Messiah. He was born of the Virgin Mary, who conceived Him by the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, and was buried for 3 days. On the third day He physically rose from the dead and 40 days later ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Jesus will historically and literally return to the earth to judge all things and establish His eternal kingdom.
We believe in the dual nature of Jesus, He was both fully man and fully God. We believe that Jesus was a historical man who lived in first century Palestine. We also believe that Jesus is the eternally begotten son of God, and there was never a time in which He did not exist.
Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God. He is a person and has been sent by the Father and Son to bring conviction to the hearts of people, to reveal the Glory of Jesus, to bring about regeneration in the hearts of God’s children, and equip the Church to accomplish its mission on earth. We hold that true conversion, regeneration, and sanctification cannot occur without the active work of the Holy Spirit within the individual.
Humanity:
We believe that man and woman were created by God in His image. The first people (Adam and Eve) were created sinless and perfect. Man chose to rebel against God and subsequently fell, and is now living in separation from God. Man’s sin separated him from God, created division within humanity, and brought about destruction and decay within creation. The consequence of sin is both physical death (separation of spirit and body) and spiritual death (separation from God).
Because every person bears the image of God all people have great intrinsic value and worth. Though formed in God’s image every person is born with a fallen nature and being separated from God is in need of salvation.
Salvation:
We believe salvation is by Grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is the work of God: it was ordained by the Father at the beginning of time, accomplished by the Son through Jesus’ atoning death and physical resurrection, and is applied to individuals by the Holy Spirit.
We believe those who have come to true repentant faith in Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, will continue in the faith, bear spiritual fruit, and upon death their spirits will be made perfect in the presence of God. At the end of the age their spirits will be united with their glorified resurrected bodies to spend eternity with God in His Kingdom.
Scripture:
We believe that the 66 books making up what is referred to as the “Old and New testament” are the infallible word of God. The scriptures are “God breathed”, written by faithful men, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The scriptures are the ultimate authority for all doctrine, beliefs, and practices.
The Church:
The universal church consists of all who have repented and placed their trust in the Person and work of Christ. The Church exists to continue the mission set forth by Jesus, proclaim the Gospel, glorify Christ, and to live as a community of believers reflecting God’s future Kingdom here on earth.
The local church is called to be a localized expression of the universal church. The local church is a community of believers joined together to worship Jesus, grow together in faith, and continue Christ’s mission on earth. We believe that every believer is given spiritual gifts for the purpose of glorifying Christ in the world and building up of the church.
Our Future Hope:
We believe that all those who have placed their faith in Christ will go to be with Him upon their death, awaiting the future resurrection and judgment. We believe in the final physical resurrection of all people, the final judgment, and the renewal of creation in the new heavens and earth. All who belong to Christ will ultimately spend eternity in God’s kingdom, which will be established on earth. All those who refuse God’s free offer of salvation will ultimately spend eternity separated from God cast out from His kingdom in hell.
