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Beliefs and Doctrines The Scriptures We believe that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired, in that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in those original manuscripts is therefore, without error. We believe that all Scripture centers around the Lord Jesus in His person, work, and in His first and second coming. Therefore, no portion of the old Testament is properly read or understood until it leads to Christ. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16). The Triune Godhead We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father God, as Father, reigns over His entire universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father's hands. (Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; John 1:12; Romans 8:14-15; Ephesians 4:6; Jude 24-25). God the Son We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God's righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the accomplishment of that redemption and justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those of us who trust Him. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1,2,14,18; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 3:24-26, Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:22-25). God the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin (righteousness and judgment); that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that he indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them and fills (controls) those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8;16-17;16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13, Galatians 5:16-17; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18). Creation We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, by direct act. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). Man Although man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin and is lost. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. This is true of all men, and except a man is born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. (Genesis 1:26-27; John 23:3; Romans 3:10,23) The Devil - Satan We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, and the reason for the fall of man, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts 5:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10). Atonement for Sin We believe that the Lord Jesus is the gift of God's grace. It cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; Romans 6:23). The Great Commissions Upon the return of Christ, it is the Christian's duty and privileges to seek the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world. (Matthew 25:31-46;28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Two Sacraments Ordained by Jesus Christ. We believe there are two (2) sacraments, which were ordained by Jesus Christ: 1. Water Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20) 2. The Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). |
