About God
God has existed in relationship with himself for all eternity in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Although each member of this Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
• Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22 • Deuteronomy 6:4 • Psalm 90:2 • Isaiah 61:1 • Matthew 28:19 • Mark 1:9-11 • Luke 1:35 • John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16 • Romans 8:9-11 • 2 Corinthians 13:14 • Hebrews 1:8-10 • James 2:19 • 1 Peter 1:2
About The Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in him that we live, move, and exist. God is good: He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to his people and his promises.
• Exodus 3:14 • Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2 • Numbers 23:19 • Psalm 11:4-6 • Malachi 3:6 • John 3:16; 4:24; 14:1 • Acts 17:28 • Romans 3:3-4
About The Son
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus is a timeless being yet incarnated and came to earth in the form of humanity to live a sinless human life and offer himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to finish redeeming and reconciling humanity and all creation to his perfect rule as King and Lord.
• Isaiah 9:6 • Matthew 1:21-23 • John 1:1-5; 14:10-30 • Acts 1:9-11 • Romans 1:3-4
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 • 1 Timothy 6:14-15 • Titus 2:13 • Hebrews 4:14-15
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under his control daily.
• John 14:16-17; 16:7-13 • Acts 1:8 • 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16-17 • Galatians 5:25
• Ephesians 1:13; 5:18
About The Bible
The Bible is God's Word to all people. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
• Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160 • Proverbs 30:5-6 • 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16 • 2 Peter 1:20-21
ABOUT Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
• Genesis 1:27 • Psalm 8:3-6 • Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2 • Romans 3:23
ABOUT Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us that we must receive and believe. We can never make up for our sin by self- improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
• John 14:6 • Romans 5:1; 6:23; 10:9-10 • Galatians 3:26 • Ephesians 2:8 • Titus 3:5
ABOUT Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
• John 14:16-17; 16:7-13 • Acts 1:8 • 1 Corinthians 2:12 • 2 Corinthians 3:17 • Galatians 5:25 • Ephesians 1:13, 5:1
ABOUT The Church
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Jesus Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Jesus and obeying all of his commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 16:18-19, 18:15-20 • Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28
• 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12 • Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32
• Colossians 1:18; 3:15 • 1 Timothy 4:14 • 1 Peter 5:1-4 • Revelation 21:2-3
ABOUT Baptism
Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Baptism does not save you but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Jesus Christ.
• Matthews 28:19-20 • Acts 2:41 • Ephesians 2:8-9 • Colossians 2:12
ABOUT Communion
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation. Rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross.
• Matthew 26:26-30 • Mark 14:22-26 • Luke 22:19-20 • 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES
ABOUT Divine Sovereignty
God is sovereign over all things such that there is no aspect of reality outside of His ultimate control. Though God’s rule extends to all things, it is particularly His sovereignty over the work of salvation that is a theological distinctive. We believe that it is exceedingly good and glorious news that salvation is not dependent on the desires and deeds of man, but is grounded instead in God’s eternal decree of election. Though man is responsible for his sin, God is ultimately and entirely responsible for drawing those He would save unto Himself and overcoming their natural resistance to the gospel.
ABOUT The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see exercised in the Scriptures have not ceased with the death of the last Apostle or the closing of the New Testament canon. They are available today and are to be eagerly desired and practiced in submission to the Spirit speaking through the Scripture.
ABOUT The Complementary Roles of Men & Women
Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value but are different by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church, especially as it comes to teaching and authority. These role distinctions are God’s grace to man and woman and are to be protected, preserved and practiced for His glory and our joy.