
-
About the Bible
We affirm the Holy Bible as the
inspired, infallible, and inerrant word of God and the basis for our
beliefs and practices. It was written by human authors under the
supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source
of truth. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any
mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2
Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5)
-
About God
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; Psalm 90:2,
Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2)
-
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the only begotten
son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus Christ was born of
a virgin woman, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as
the perfect lamb of God as a sacrifice for the sins of all men by
dying on a cross. He was buried and after three days arose from the
dead to demonstrate His power over death, sin, hell, and the grave.
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, 14; 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)
-
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the
Father and the Son as God. He is in the world to convict lost people
of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He lives in every Christian and
gives power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance
in doing what is right. Every believer should seek to live under his
control.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13;
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;
Ephesians 5:18)
-
About Man
Man is made in the image of God. He
is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous
potential for good, he is marred by disobedience toward God call
“sin.” This sinfulness separates man from God.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Romans
6:23; Revelation 20:15)
-
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God. Man
can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works.
Only by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as God’s only offer for
forgiveness can man
be
saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life with God begins the moment
one receives Jesus Christ by faith.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John
14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
-
About Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life
through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for
eternity. Salvation is begun and maintained by the grace and power
of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and
power of God that gives this security.
(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews
7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
-
About Heaven and Hell
Man was created to exist forever. He
will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union
with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally
separated from God means eternal existence in a real place of
eternal fire and torment called Hell. To be eternally in union with
God means eternal life in a real place of eternal bliss called
Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13;
Romans 6:23: Revelation 20:15)
-
About Church Ordinances
Baptism
A person who receives Jesus Christ
as Savior by personal faith; who professes him publicly at any
regular worship service of the church, and who indicated a
commitment to follow Christ as Lord will be received for baptism.
Baptism will be by immersion, and will be administered by the pastor
or whomever the church will authorize.
The Lord’s Supper
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper
is a proclamation of a past act, the pronouncement of a present
experience, and the prophecy of a future event. Those who sit at the
Lord’s table are to turn their eyes of hope to Christ’s coming
again, and are to open their hearts to fellowship with his Spirit.
The Lord’s Supper deals with believers in three tenses—past,
present, and future. As to the past, it is a commemoration; as to
the present, it is a meditation; as to the future, it is
anticipation.
Each person at the Lord’s table who
partakes of the broken bread and drinks of the cup becomes a mute
messenger to the truth of the everlasting gospel “that Christ died
for our sins according to scriptures.”