What We Believe

Question 1

ABOUT GOD

Answer

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and all created things. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct in personage yet coequal in power, authority, and eternal existence, and yet are one God.

Gen 1:1,26, 27; 3:22; Ps 90:2; Mat 28:19; 1 Pet 1:2; II Cor 13:14

Question 2

ABOUT THE FATHER

Answer

God the Father is eternal, transcendent, and spirit. Many of His distinct characteristics are visible in the New Testament description of His relationship to God the Son, Jesus. While coequal in their eternal relationship, Jesus, in His earthly ministry and humanity, lived in perfect submission to the will of the Father. God the Father is without fault and perfectly good.

Jn 8:28; 10:30-38; Rom 6:5; II Cor 1:3; Heb 12:9; Jas 1:17; I Jn 3:1;

Question 3

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Answer

Jesus Christ is God the Son, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. In His earthly ministry, He was begotten of the Father, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. He freely offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended back to the Father and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever.

Mat 1:22, 23; Isa 9:6; Jn 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Heb 4:14, 15; 1 Cor 15:3, 4; Rom 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

Question 4

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

Answer

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make humanity aware of its need for Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are spiritually “made alive” again. He resides in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, comfort in trials, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian is to live daily under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor 3:17; Jn 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 2:12; 3:16; Eph 1:13; Gal 5:25

Question 5

ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Answer

The operation of all gifts of the Spirit as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12:6-8, and manifested in the early Church are ongoing today. They are intended to build up and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, be a sign to the unbeliever, and confirm the power of the Gospel in the world. The Scriptural lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.

Heb 2:4; Rom 1:11,12:4-8; Eph 4:16; II Tim 1:5-16; I Cor 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Pet 4:10

Question 6

ABOUT HUMANITY

Answer

Men and women were created in the “image” of God, to be like Him in character and nature. We are the supreme object of God's affection in creation. Although humanity has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sinful desire. When our desires lead us to sin, sin separates us from God.

Gen 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Isa 53:6a; Rom 3:23; Isa 59:1, 2

Question 7

ABOUT ETERNITY

Answer

Humanity was created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God through unrepentance or in union with God through salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to be in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

Jn 3:16; 2:25; I Jn 5:11-13; Rom 6:23; Rev 20:11-15

Question 8

ABOUT SALVATION

Answer

Salvation is a free gift from God intended for and extended to all humanity. We could never make up for the penalty incurred by our sin through self-improvement or our good works. Only by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty.

Rom 5:1, 6:23; Eph 2:8, 9; Jn 1:12; 14:6; Titus 3:5; Gal 3:26

Question 9

ABOUT BAPTISM

Answer

Water: Water baptism is an ordinance (commanded observance) through which the believer publicly confesses their faith in Jesus Christ by obedience to this command. The biblical illustration of this event involves full submersion, and is done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. - Mat 3:11; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:26; Mat 28:20

Infilling of the Holy Spirit: Being “filled with” or “baptized in” the Holy Spirit is intended to be an ongoing experience in the life of the believer. It is necessary for the empowerment of the believer and for the work of the ministry. The primary indicators of the Spirit-filled life are: a boldness to proclaim the Gospel, desire for fellowship with one another, the “fruit of the Spirit”, empowerment in the gifts of the Spirit, and the sanctification of the believer.

Acts 2:1-13; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9; Eph 5:18

Question 10

ABOUT COMMUNION

Answer

Communion, along with baptism, is one of two ordinances (commanded observances) given directly by Christ. (Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26) When we join together for the “Lord’s Supper,” we celebrate the willing sacrifice of Christ and anticipate His return. We believe that communion is a symbolic act that by faith calls to mind real events and embraces the ministry and presence of Christ in a unique way. It is intended for the believer and is to be taken in a manner worthy of Christ.

Mat 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25

Question 11

ABOUT THE BIBLE

Answer

The Bible is God's Word to all humanity, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of our understanding of God, truth for life, purpose, and eternity. Inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error in its intention or message.

2 Tim 1:13; 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20, 21; Ps 12:6; 119:105,160; Prov 30:5

Question 12

ABOUT THE CHURCH

Answer

The Bible tells us that the Church collectively is the physical representation of “the body of Christ” in the world today. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ. The Biblical purposes of the Church include things such as: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and compassionate care for others. The New Testament describes the local church as being comprised of “born again” followers of Christ, who regularly gather together for worship, encouragement, and fellowship. Support for the ministry of the local church is to be accomplished through the joyful, sacrificial generosity of its people.

Mat 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41, 42, 47; 5:11-14; Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; 3:16; Eph 1:22, 23; 4:11-16; Phil 1:1; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Pet 5:1-4; Mat 23:23

Question 13

ABOUT GOD

Answer

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and all created things. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct in personage yet coequal in power, authority, and eternal existence, and yet are one God.

Gen 1:1,26, 27; 3:22; Ps 90:2; Mat 28:19; 1 Pet 1:2; II Cor 13:14

Question 14

ABOUT THE FATHER

Answer

God the Father is eternal, transcendent, and spirit. Many of His distinct characteristics are visible in the New Testament description of His relationship to God the Son, Jesus. While coequal in their eternal relationship, Jesus, in His earthly ministry and humanity, lived in perfect submission to the will of the Father. God the Father is without fault and perfectly good.

Jn 8:28; 10:30-38; Rom 6:5; II Cor 1:3; Heb 12:9; Jas 1:17; I Jn 3:1;

Question 15

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Answer

Jesus Christ is God the Son, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. In His earthly ministry, He was begotten of the Father, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. He freely offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended back to the Father and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever.

Mat 1:22, 23; Isa 9:6; Jn 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Heb 4:14, 15; 1 Cor 15:3, 4; Rom 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

Question 16

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

Answer

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make humanity aware of its need for Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are spiritually “made alive” again. He resides in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, comfort in trials, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian is to live daily under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor 3:17; Jn 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 2:12; 3:16; Eph 1:13; Gal 5:25

Question 17

ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Answer

The operation of all gifts of the Spirit as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12:6-8, and manifested in the early Church are ongoing today. They are intended to build up and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, be a sign to the unbeliever, and confirm the power of the Gospel in the world. The Scriptural lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.

Heb 2:4; Rom 1:11,12:4-8; Eph 4:16; II Tim 1:5-16; I Cor 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Pet 4:10

Question 18

ABOUT HUMANITY

Answer

Men and women were created in the “image” of God, to be like Him in character and nature. We are the supreme object of God's affection in creation. Although humanity has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sinful desire. When our desires lead us to sin, sin separates us from God.

Gen 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Isa 53:6a; Rom 3:23; Isa 59:1, 2

Question 19

ABOUT ETERNITY

Answer

Humanity was created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God through unrepentance or in union with God through salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to be in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

Jn 3:16; 2:25; I Jn 5:11-13; Rom 6:23; Rev 20:11-15

Question 20

ABOUT SALVATION

Answer

Salvation is a free gift from God intended for and extended to all humanity. We could never make up for the penalty incurred by our sin through self-improvement or our good works. Only by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty.

Rom 5:1, 6:23; Eph 2:8, 9; Jn 1:12; 14:6; Titus 3:5; Gal 3:26

Question 21

ABOUT BAPTISM

Answer

Water: Water baptism is an ordinance (commanded observance) through which the believer publicly confesses their faith in Jesus Christ by obedience to this command. The biblical illustration of this event involves full submersion, and is done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. - Mat 3:11; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:26; Mat 28:20

Infilling of the Holy Spirit: Being “filled with” or “baptized in” the Holy Spirit is intended to be an ongoing experience in the life of the believer. It is necessary for the empowerment of the believer and for the work of the ministry. The primary indicators of the Spirit-filled life are: a boldness to proclaim the Gospel, desire for fellowship with one another, the “fruit of the Spirit”, empowerment in the gifts of the Spirit, and the sanctification of the believer.

Acts 2:1-13; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9; Eph 5:18

Question 22

ABOUT COMMUNION

Answer

Communion, along with baptism, is one of two ordinances (commanded observances) given directly by Christ. (Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26) When we join together for the “Lord’s Supper,” we celebrate the willing sacrifice of Christ and anticipate His return. We believe that communion is a symbolic act that by faith calls to mind real events and embraces the ministry and presence of Christ in a unique way. It is intended for the believer and is to be taken in a manner worthy of Christ.

Mat 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25

Question 23

ABOUT THE BIBLE

Answer

The Bible is God's Word to all humanity, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of our understanding of God, truth for life, purpose, and eternity. Inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error in its intention or message.

2 Tim 1:13; 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20, 21; Ps 12:6; 119:105,160; Prov 30:5

Question 24

ABOUT THE CHURCH

Answer

The Bible tells us that the Church collectively is the physical representation of “the body of Christ” in the world today. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ. The Biblical purposes of the Church include things such as: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and compassionate care for others. The New Testament describes the local church as being comprised of “born again” followers of Christ, who regularly gather together for worship, encouragement, and fellowship. Support for the ministry of the local church is to be accomplished through the joyful, sacrificial generosity of its people.

Mat 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41, 42, 47; 5:11-14; Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; 3:16; Eph 1:22, 23; 4:11-16; Phil 1:1; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Pet 5:1-4; Mat 23:23

What We Believe

Statement of Faith

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Expanded Doctrinal Statement

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Expanded Doctrinal Statement