We believe in one (Deut. 6: 4) eternal (1 Tim. 1: 17), knowable (Heb. 1: 1ff), sovereign God (Dan. 4: 34-35). He knows all things (Ps. 139: 1-4), and providentially oversees all things (Matt. 10: 29-31). He is merciful (Ex. 34: 6) and just (Acts 17: 31), loving (1 John 4: 8) and holy (Rev. 4: 8), great in power (Ps. 147: 5) and good in purpose (Rom. 8: 28). His glory is our chief concern (1 Cor. 10: 31).

We believe in one God who exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28: 19). All three are uncreated, coeternal, and equal in power, glory, and honor. They are rightly worshiped as the one true God-three in one, and one in three (see Rev. 22: 13; Acts 5: 3-4).

We believe, that while God has revealed himself in his creation, he has spoken to us most clearly in his word (Ps. 19; Rom. 1: 18-20). The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are breathed out by God, holy, complete, and entirely without error in the original manuscripts (2 Tim. 3: 16; John 10: 35; 2 Pet. 1: 20-21). The Bible is our final authority in life, doctrine, and godliness (Matt. 4: 4; 2 Pet. 1: 3-4).

We believe God created the entire universe out of nothing (Gen. 1: 1; Heb. 11: 3). Man and woman were the crown of God's good creation, being created in his own image (Gen. 1: 26-27). As image-bearers, we were created to worship God and reflect him in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Eph. 4: 22-24; Col. 3: 9-10).

We believe that Adam and Eve, our first parents, rebelled against God and plunged themselves and all their offspring into ruin (Gen. 3). Because of Adam's sin, we are all guilty sinners (Rom. 5: 12-21). We come into the world with corrupt natures through and through (Ps. 51: 5). We are unable to turn to God unless he first turns to us (John 6: 44; Rom. 3: 10-18; Eph. 2: 1-5).

We believe Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. We believe he is also the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16: 16). He is fully man and fully God (1 Tim. 2: 5; Titus 2: 13). He was born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, taught the way of God's kingdom, worked miracles, suffered, died, and (bodily) rose again (1 Cor. 15: 1-8).

We believe Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and died a shameful death that we might be counted righteous and forgiven of our sins (2 Cor. 5: 21). He was our sacrificial substitute (1 Pet. 3: 18). He redeemed us from the devil, removed our guilt, and absorbed the wrath of God (1 John 1: 8-2:2).

We believe that we are justified-declared righteous before God-through faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone (Gal. 2: 16). The only way to be adopted into God's family is through union and communion with his Son, Jesus Christ (Eph. 1: 5).

We believe the Holy Spirit, working through the word, supernaturally converts (regenerates) the hearts of God's people by making alive what was spiritually dead (Titus 3: 5; 1 Pet. 1: 23). The Spirit causes us to grow in holiness (2 Cor. 3: 18), seals us for the day of redemption that we might be assured of our salvation (Eph. 1: 13-14), and equips us with spiritual gifts for the building up of the body (1 Cor. 12: 7).

We believe the church is the communion of God's people drawn from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Eph. 2: 11-22; Rev. 5: 9-10). This invisible body, of which Christ Jesus is the head, exists locally, and imperfectly, as the visible church. Jesus Christ has given his church two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Matt. 28: 19-20; 1 Cor. 11: 23-26).

We believe God's people should be marked by Christlikeness (Eph. 5: 1-2), prayerfulness (Rom. 12: 12), joyful obedience (John 14: 15), love of God and love of neighbor (Matt. 22: 37-40). We believe the mission of the church is one of word and deed (1 Pet. 4: 11). As salt and light (Matt. 5: 13-16), we seek to save the lost (1 Cor. 9: 19-23), make disciples (Matt. 28: 19-20), work for righteousness and justice (Amos 5: 24), and care for the hurting and needy (1 John 3: 16-18).

We believe the Holy Spirit gives gifts to every believer which are to be discovered, developed and deployed for the good of God's Kingdom. These gifts are to be exercised according to biblical guidelines and priorities (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12,14) We believe the Holy Spirit is sovereign and may give any gifts He wants at any time He wants. (1 Cor. 12: 11 ) Every believer is created, gifted, authorized and needed for service. (Mark 10: 45, Eph. 2: 10, Rom. 12, I Cor. 12: 14-20)

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection and confirm the power of the gospel. The lists of these gifts in the Bible 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. (Rom. 12: 4-8; 1 Cor. 12: 1-31; 14: 1-40; Eph. 4: 16; 1 Tim. 4: 14; 2 Tim. 1: 5-14; Heb. 2: 4; 1 Pet. 4: 10)

These gifts include the gift of tongues and the gift of healing. The gift of tongues is a spiritual gift that may be used for cross-cultural evangelism (Acts 2: 1-11), private prayer (1 Cor. 14: 14-19, 28), or for ministry to the body when an interpreter is present (1 Cor. 14: 5). We do not believe everyone must speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12: 30). The gift of healing is given as a sign which follows believers and is a part of Jesus’ work on the cross. (Ps. 103: 2-3; Isa. 53: 5; Matt. 8: 16-17; Mar. 16: 17-18; Acts 8: 6-7; James 5: 14-16; 1 Cor. 12: 9, 28)

We seek to avoid two extremes: 1) a non-biblical restriction of the gifts and 2) a non-biblical exaltation of the gifts.

We believe that God chooses our gifts and our purpose. (1 Cor. 12, Rom. 12) This gifting is to grow the church. If a woman is called to lead or teach, it is the body of Christ’s role to honor the gifting. The leadership role of women is recognized throughout scripture (ie: Miriam (Ex. 15: 20), Deborah (Judg. 4: 4) Huldah (2 Kgs. 22: 14-20), Priscilla (Acts 18: 26), Phoebe (Rom. 16: 1-2), and Junia (Rom. 16: 7)

We believe that the supreme task of every believer is to glorify God in our lives. True love for God should be our first priority and our conduct should be blameless before the world. We must be faithful stewards of the possessions God has given us through consistent sacrificial giving. We must commit to a lifestyle of consistent spiritual growth expressed both individually and communally. (Rom. 6: 1-4; Col. 3: 1-11, Mar. 12: 29-31, Acts 2: 44-47, I Pet. 2: 2, Heb. 3: 13, 10: 25)

We believe God created mankind in His image, forming each person in the womb from conception (Ps. 139: 13-16; Isa. 44: 2; 49: 5; Jer. 1: 4-5) until the point of death when they breathe their last (Gen. 25:8; Luke 23:46); and assigning gender to His people, male (man) and female (woman), as He created them sexually and biologically different, but with equal personal dignity and value (Gen. 1: 26-28).

We believe that God ordained marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman (Gen. 2: 18; Matt. 19: 4-9; Ephesians 5:31-33). Those who accept and live within God’s design for sex, biological gender, and marriage experience the blessing of His good design (Ps. 1:1-3; 128:1-4), and decisions to change, alter, or modify God’s will in marriage, sex, or gender are part of man’s brokenness and lead to despair (Rom. 1:21-22; James 1:13-15). Further, sexual intimacy outside of marriage is outside of God’s design. This includes living together unmarried, same-sex sexual behavior, pre-marital sex, and the use of pornography (1 Cor. 6).

We believe Jesus Christ will return to earth personally, visibly, and bodily as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Acts 1: 11). At his appearing, the dead shall be raised and the living and the dead will be judged (1 Cor. 15). The wicked and unbelieving will be consigned to hell, a place of eternal conscious punishment (Rev. 20: 10, 14-15). Those belonging to Jesus will have eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth and live in ever-increasing joy to the glory of God (Matt. 25: 21; Rev. 21-22).

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