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Statement of Faith

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Section 1: The Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1: 21)

This means we believe in the sufficiency and the authority of the Bible.

Sufficiency means that the Bible is all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and that no other book, philosophy, or psychological insights are required.

Authority refers to the fact that the sixty-six (66) books of the Biblical Canon come from God, and therefore it is the true and accurate expression of His will toward mankind. We believe that these truths, as expressed in the Bible, are being conveyed from God to our hearts and lives.

Furthermore, we believe the writings of the Bible to be infallible in their original articles. We recognize that years of translation have had a minor effect on certain portions of the Bible.  However, the meaning and clarity of the text has not been affected at all. Rather, we see the hand of God over the years preserving the Bible for us. 

Section 2: The Godhead

We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, distinguishable but indivisible. (Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2)

This means we are solidly Trinitarian in our theology. Trinitarian theology makes a clear distinction in the members of the Godhead as separate and distinct Persons – Who together make up the One, true God.

Section 3: The Nature and Work of Jesus Christ (God the Son)

We believe in the full deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth and sinless life; in His complete and finished work on the cross, and in His bodily resurrection from the dead. (Luke 1:26-35; Hebrews 2:14-15, 9:12, 10:11-12; John 1:12)

First, we believe that Jesus is fully man and fully God. Both are essential to what He came to do for us as Lord and human representative. Second is the vital issue of His virgin birth.  Third, our Lord’s work upon the cross, which paid for the sins of mankind, was complete and lacking nothing. And lastly, His bodily resurrection, which is vital for understanding how He conquered death.

Section 4: Salvation by Faith – The Promise of the Indwelling Spirit

We believe the only means by which we can be forgiven is to turn from our sin and personally accept the death of Jesus Christ as payment for our own penalty and to receive Him as Savior and Lord. Further, we believe that anyone who believes in and accepts Jesus Christ as Savior becomes the recipient of God’s Holy Spirit, by which he/she is born again. (John 3:3-9; 20:22; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)

While Section 3 above focuses on what Jesus Christ did on our behalf, this section defines the result – namely forgiveness of sins, the new birth, and entry into the family of God. We believe that the new birth is made possible through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us at the point of faith. 

Section 5: Water Baptism

We believe in water baptism by immersion – not for salvation, but because of salvation – to fulfill a command of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:34-36)

Since water baptism is a command, it cannot save us.  We are not saved by keeping commands, but rather by putting our faith in the death of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Yet water baptism is a step of obedience for a new believer and a public declaration of the death and resurrection we share with Jesus Christ.

Section 6: The Holy Spirit

We believe that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, enabling the believer to enter a new and powerful realm of service, praise, worship, personal edification, and witnessing. (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2-6; 1 Corinthians 14)

When an individual comes to faith in Jesus Christ, they receive the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit to indwell them. By this indwelling, they are born anew (see Section 4 above).  The Bible also speaks of a ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer whereby we are empowered to serve Jesus Christ. 

Section 7: Our hope is in Jesus Christ

We believe that through Jesus Christ, hope is found for the broken – physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and in Jesus Christ we are new creations. (Psalm 147:3; Luke 9:42; II Corinthians 5:17; James 5:14-15)

In this statement, we are declaring our trust in the power of Jesus Christ to restore and transform lives that have been broken and marred by sin. For many, the human condition has become beyond desperate. Hopelessness seems to reign. But we continue to place our faith in Jesus Christ to restore those who call upon His Name – even those whom the world would declare to be broken beyond all hope.

Section 8: The Role of the Church

We believe the Church is the Body of Jesus Christ on the earth, and it is God’s chosen instrument to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a restraint to sin. By this statement, we proclaim our alliance with and prayerful support of every Bible-believing, Jesus Christ-honoring fellowship worldwide. (Matthew 16:18; Matthew 5:13-14; John 13:35)

This means we are not competing with other Christian churches, but we are linked in Jesus Christ and in a common calling.  (See Amendment dated 4/18/21)

Section 9: Marriage

We believe marriage was created by God for the good of mankind, the propagation of the human race, and the expression of His image on earth. Furthermore, we believe that the union of a man and a woman in marriage depicts the spiritual relationship between Jesus Christ and His Bride – the Church. Marriage is a union into which one man and one woman may enter for the glory of God. This understanding of marriage is revealed in the Bible as God’s intention for marriage, the truth of which is clearly affirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospels. As such, this biblical definition of marriage may not be amended, reinterpreted, or redefined by society or the governments of men. (Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Matthew 19:8-12, Mark 10:4-9, Romans 7:2)

Section 10: In Conclusion

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, which speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all we believe. The Elder Board bears the responsibility of overseeing that the Bible is handled and interpreted properly within the ministries that exist under the identity of this fellowship of believers.