BeliefsAbout the Bible...We believe the Bible is God's Word and is completely true. We believe that whatever the Bible says morally, scientifically, or historically is correct. It is error-free as it was originally given. We believe that the Bible has an answer for every human dilemma. We believe that the Bible is like no other book, and has the power to dramatically change the lives of those who read and obey it (Psalm 56:3-4; Psalm 119:105; Mark 13:31; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-2:2; 2 Peter 1:3-4). About God...We believe that God is all that He reveals Himself to be in the Bible. He is holy and good, merciful and just, and so much more (Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 45:6-8; Psalm 86:15; Isaiah 45:6-7; John 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:15-16). About the Trinity...We believe that there is only one God, but that He exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. We therefore reject New Age teaching that God is simply an impersonal "force" that connects all living things. God is distinct and separate from His creation, and yet is intimately concerned and involved with it (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-2). About Jesus...We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. We believe that He is fully God and fully man-the perfect God-man through his incarnation and birth through the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Galatians 4:4; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-15). ...the Risen Savior and LordWe believe that Jesus as God's Messiah (Christ), was chosen to pay the price for the sins of all mankind by His death on a cross. We believe He died, and was risen from the dead three days later. We believe Jesus Christ is alive now in Heaven to care for His people. We believe that, according to the Father's plan, Jesus will return one day to bring God's just rule to earth, and to take His people home to heaven (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 3:15-18; John 11:25-26; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28;1 Peter 2:21-24; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 19:11-21). About the Holy Spirit...We believe that the Holy Spirit of God is fully God, sharing the attributes, honor, and glory of both the Father and the Son. We believe His role today is to bring glory to the Son of God, by empowering the people of God (Christ's holy Church) to fulfill God's plan of taking the gospel to every person (Genesis 1:2; John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23). About Sin...We believe that all humans are sinful from birth, are in bondage to disobedient hearts, and are blinded and influenced by dark spiritual powers ruled by Satan. We believe that because of this sinful condition all stand condemned by God. We believe that apart from God's mercy and grace all would forever remain in the state of condemnation and ultimately would reside in the place of eternal punishment and torment called Hell (Genesis 8:21; Psalm 14:2-3; Psalm 36:1-2; Luke 16:19-31; Romans 1:18-20; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 7:18-21; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Revelation 20:11-15). About Salvation...We believe that God's mercy and grace toward sinful humans came through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. We believe that this act of God came because of His great love, and determination to save those who were lost. We believe that through the sacrifice of Jesus, complete, and eternal forgiveness is offered to all who will receive it (John 1:10-12; John 3:15-18; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:6-8; Romans 11:6; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:3-7; 1 John 5:11-12; Revelation 22:17). ...Salvation by FaithWe believe that the means by which a sinful human can receive God's forgiveness is faith, alone. We believe that no act of righteousness, no promise of a changed life, no amount of religious activity help a person attain God's forgiveness. Indeed, we believe that such things are an insult to God's holiness and grace, and may indeed prevent God's forgiveness. We believe that salvation is found only in Jesus, and faith in the forgiveness He purchased by dying on the cross (Isaiah 64:6; John 5:24; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:28; Romans 5:18; Romans 10:3-4; Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5). ...Salvation Means New LifeWe believe that a person who places his/her trust in Jesus becomes new from the inside out--just as if he had been born a second time. We believe that the believer in Jesus is clothed in the very righteousness of Christ; that his sinful condition has been exchanged for the perfect holiness of Christ, the spotless "Lamb of God." We believe that God's ultimate purpose in saving sinful humans is so that He can change them into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. We believe that this change begins at the moment of saving faith, but that it is a gradual process that will not ultimately be completed until that person arrives in heaven (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 1:29; John 3:3-5; John 5:24; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 13;14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:26-27; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:13; Colossians 1:21-22; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:3-7; 1 Peter 1:21-23; 2 Peter 3:18). |