There is only one God, the Creator, and Ruler of the universe. God 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; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, II Corinthians 13:14, John 15:26)
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, sent to earth to save mankind from their separation from God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus, born of a virgin, completely God and completely human, lived a sinless human 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 God’s power over sin and death. Jesus ascended back to Heaven’s glory and will return again to reign as our Judge, 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, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13, Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 6:14, Matthew 25:31-46)
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son as God, and is present in the world, making people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Spirit begins living in every believer from the moment of salvation, providing the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian daily and increasingly seeks to live under the Holy Spirit’s control, seeking to have a heart like God’s heart, and motivated by sacrificial love. (II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13; 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18)
Humanity was created by God and for God. All people are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of God’s creation on earth. Although God designed us for fellowship with Himself, we became alienated from God through disobedience. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin against God. We are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through our own efforts. However, by faith in Jesus Christ, and by the increasing indwelling of the Holy Spirit, this sin nature can be changed. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, Romans 3:23, Colossians 1:21, Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 8:9-11)
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is without error in its original intent and the supreme source of truth and authority for our beliefs and living. (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21, II Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105,160, Psalm 12:6, Proverbs 30:5)
God designed and intended for all people to exist forever. They will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. When you die, you will either spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Eternal separation from God happens in Hell. Eternal union with God occurs in Heaven. (Matthew 10:28, John 3:16, I John 2:25; 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15)
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can people be freed from the bondage of Sin and saved from sin’s penalty, through God’s grace and mercy. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith. (Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12;3:16, 36; 5:24; 14:6; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18;3:23-25;5:8-10;6:23; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10;Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20; Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 8:16, 1 Timothy 1:9)
The Church is the universal body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, made up of local communities of Christ-followers, unified through faith in Christ. Through Jesus, we are one family. Through Christ’s love and leading of the Holy Spirit, we offer help, healing, and hope. We are committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and seek to spread the Gospel and scriptural holiness across all corners of the world. We work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
The Church, as ambassadors of Christ, represent Him through the honoring and celebration of: Open Communion to all followers of Jesus Christ, Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and recognition and affirmation of Traditional Marriage, as defined by God in the beginning, being between one man and one woman. (Matthew 16:18-19, 18:15-20, Acts 2:41-47, 5:11-14, 13:1-3, 14:23, 16:5, 20:28, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 9:13-14, 12, Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 3:10-12, 5:22-32, Colossians 1:18, 3:15, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Revelation 21:2-3, Genesis 1:26-28, 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6)
These are the values that shape who we are as a church and how we live out our mission. They are different from our beliefs. They have more to do with our perspective and focus.