Beliefs

We believe the Holy Bible. We believe it is God’s Word and therefore it is central in all we do. It proclaims the life-changing message of God’s love, forgiveness and hope. Read on to learn more about our beliefs.

See also:
Our Constitution details our beliefs as a church and our Bylaws define how our church operates.

What we believe about…

the Scriptures

(via our Constitution) We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18)

Trinity

(via our Constitution) We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 4:11; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6)

God the Father

(via our Constitution) We believe the Father originally manifested Himself to man as the creator of all things who interacts with His world through providence. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. All who follow Christ are spiritually begotten by the Father. We are taught to direct our prayers to the Father through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 32:6; Matthew 5:45; 6:6-15; 1 John 3:1; John 1:14, 18; 5:17-26; 6:37-40; 14:12-16; Ephesians 1:3-6)

Jesus Christ

(via our Constitution) We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is our High Priest and Advocate, and in the person of the Holy Spirit, He indwells the Believer. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 7; John 1:3-14; Romans 3:24, 25; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Acts 1:9, 10; 1 John 2:1,2)

Holy Spirit

(via our Constitution) We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict, regenerate, seal, indwell, guide, instruct and empower for life and service. He has given spiritual gifts for the functioning of the Church to each believer. (John 16:8-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20-27)

Salvation

(via our Constitution) We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe. All who repent of their sin and receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God (Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:4-10; Titus 3:4-7; John 1:12; 3:16-36; 5:24; Romans 5:9, 10; 8:1)

Christ’s Return

(via our Constitution) We believe in the personal, pre-millennial and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Mark 13:32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 1:7)

Judgment

(via our Constitution) We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord in Heaven, and of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal separation from God in Hell. (Malachi 3:18; Matthew 25:34-41; John 5:28, 29; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Discipline within the church body

(via our Bylaws) If anyone shall bring a charge of sin against another member, he will follow the Scriptural procedure of going to the member alone and then with two or three witnesses (Matthew 18:15-17). If the matter remains unresolved, the concerned member will bring the matter to the Elder Board. If, after careful review of the problem, the Elder Board agrees with the charges, they will designate certain pastors or elders to interview the erring member in love and for the purpose of restoration (Galatians 6:1). If the member should refuse to accept counsel, the matter will be referred to the church at a specially called Congregational meeting (Matthew 18:17). If the member repents, he or she will be restored to fellowship. If the member refuses to repent, he or she will be referred to the Elder Board for discipline. Discipline may include resigning positions of leadership or ministry, suspension of membership privileges or expulsion from the church in extreme cases where the testimony of the church in the community is threatened.