WHAT WE BELIEVE

He has been crucified on the cross for the sins of mankind, resurrected from the dead, ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father. His life, teachings, death and resurrection offer the only true hope for all people. (John 1:14; 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:7; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:20-21)

He convicts people of sin and draws them to Jesus. He indwells the life of each believer. He guides us into truth and seals us for eternity. He gifts each follower of Jesus to be useful in God’s hands in service to the church and world. He empowers the people of God to face the rigors of life on earth. (John 14:5-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 12:1-11; Ephesians 1:13-14)

The human authors of the Bible were uniquely inspired by the Spirit of God. His guidance led them to record His truth. The Bible is authoritative for every believer and it provides the counsel of God for everyday life. (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

All human beings are created in the image of God. However, each person is a sinner and is separated from God. Only through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can a person be restored into a relationship with God and receive the gift of eternal life. (Romans 1:16-18; 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Jesus established the church and it exists to perform God’s will on earth. Believers are to invest themselves in the life and work of the church. (Matthew 16:17-18;  Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 12:27)

Baptism is for believers only. Each believer is to be immersed in water as an act of obedience and humility. It symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It also is a sign of the new life each believer has discovered in Jesus. It is a requirement to be a member of our church. (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12)

The elements of the Lord’s Supper represent the body and blood of Jesus. This ordinance is for believers only. It also is a celebration of the community we experience through the new covenant established by Jesus himself. (Luke 22:14-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Believers are to share the Gospel message with those who are lost. We begin in our own communities, however, Jesus commanded us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. We are to join our efforts with other believers to insure all nations hear the good news of Jesus. (Matthew 10:32; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16-17; Colossians 1:6)

Believers are followers of The Jesus Way. This involves a life-long process of discovery. We are to be disciplined in learning spiritual truths and integrating them into our daily lives. This process leads to our transformation and offers us a life of spiritual productivity. (John 3: 3, 7; 14:6; Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Colossians 3:1-10)

God has blessed us with earthly resources. We are to honor Him in how we handle our money and our possessions. As obedient stewards we are to invest our time, talents and treasures regularly in the work of God’s Kingdom. (Psalm 24:1-2; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 16:13-21; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7)

In God’s perfect timing and in God’s perfect way, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as Lord. His return will be the fulfillment and final consummation of the purposes of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-16)