|
Our
Faith Statement
What We Believe
In essential beliefs—we have unity.
"There is one Body and one Spirit … there is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all …"
Ephesians 4:4–6
In nonessential beliefs—we have liberty.
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters … who are you to judge someone else's servant?
To his own master he stands or falls … so then each of us will
give an account of himself to God … So whatever you believe
about these things keep between yourself and God."
Romans 14:1, 2, 12, 22
In all our beliefs—we show charity.
" … If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge
but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can
move mountains—but have no love, I amount to nothing at all."
1 Corinthians 13:2
The Essentials We Believe
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed
in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2;
2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father.
Jesus lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice
for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the
dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.
He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth
to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5, 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 coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He
is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus
Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.
He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of
spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every
believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we
seek to live under his control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13, 14:16–17; Acts 1:8;
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25
About the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Jesus fully intended that every believer be endued with the same
kind of power He had while He was here on earth. He used the phrase,
"comes upon you," in Acts 1:8 to mean that the Holy Spirit
that came to reside in you at salvation is now put in place to release
the power to live the Christian life and to be a witness for the
kingdom of God. Upon receiving the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
we experience the power of the Holy Spirit, and are released in
praise, and normally receive a new language referred to in scriptures as "tongues".
Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6; 1 Corinthians 4:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was 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 inspires
it, it is the 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
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in
character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although
every person has tremendous potential for God, all of us are marred
by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin."
This attitude separates people from God and cause many problems
in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah
59:1, 2; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5;
Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can
never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only
by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone
be save from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life
and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the
moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We'll either exist eternally
separated from God by 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, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17, 18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians
2:7–9
About the Church
We believe in the one universal Church. All who turn from their
sins and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior are regenerated by the
Holy Spirit and form the living body of Christ, of which He is the
head and all are members. The Church is God's primary way to accomplish
His purposes on earth today. Jesus Christ committed two ordinances
to the church: Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Both are available
to all believers.
Matthew 16:13–19; Ephesians 3:10–11, 4:15, 16, 5:23
About Stewardship
We believe that all we have belongs to God.
Matthew 25:14, 15; Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 25:23; 1 Chronicles 29:14;
Psalm 24:1; 1 Timothy 6:17–19
|
Faith
Statement