What We Believe

 We believe God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26–27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days, demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to Earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5; John 14:10–30; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13.

 The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.

He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Jesus baptizes every believer in the Holy Spirit and gives spiritual gifts from the moment they are born again. As Christians, we seek to live under His direction daily through the ongoing filling, or fullness, of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13; John 14:16–17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25.

 We believe the Bible is God’s Word to us, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspired it, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.

People are made in the spiritual image of God and are created to be like Him in character. Human beings 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. This sinful nature separates people from God and causes many of the problems we experience in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23.

Eternal life is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin through 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 a self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell; to be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.

Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 14:1-3; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17–18.

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If a person has been genuinely saved, that salvation cannot be lost.

Salvation is maintained by the grace and keeping power of God through the Holy Spirit, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is God’s grace, faithfulness, and power that give believers confidence and security in their salvation.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3–5.