God
We believe in one true and living God who exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully and equally God, yet distinct in role and relationship. God is holy, righteous, and just, yet full of love, grace, and mercy. He desires a relationship with humanity and has revealed Himself through creation, Scripture, and ultimately in His Son, Jesus Christ.
God the Father
God, as Father, rules with sovereign care over His creation, guiding the course of human history according to His divine will. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly loving, and infinitely wise. To those who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, He is a true Father.
(Gen 1:1; Ps 103:19; 1 Chron 29:10–11; John 1:12; Gal 4:5; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6)
God the Son (Jesus)
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man, yet without sin. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, fully revealing His will, and identified completely with humanity in its needs and struggles. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, He secured redemption from sin, and by His resurrection, He triumphed over death, appearing to His disciples in His glorified body. He ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, reigning as the one true Mediator between God and man. One day, He will return in power and glory to judge the world.
(Is 7:14; Matt 1:20; Gal 4:4–5; Rom 8:34; Col 1:15–23; Phil 2:5–11; Heb 4:15)
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the eternal, divine Spirit of God, coequal with the Father and the Son in all His attributes. He was sovereignly active in creation, the incarnation, and the inspiration of Scripture, and He continues His work in salvation and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Sent by the Father at Pentecost as promised by Christ, the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, drawing people to salvation and regenerating those who believe. The Spirit indwells and baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ, sealing them for the day of redemption. He transforms believers, producing in them the fruit of the Spirit. We believe that the full range of spiritual gifts mentioned in Scripture continues to operate for the edification of the church and the advancement of the gospel.
(Gen 1:2; Is 40:13–14; Joel 2:28–29; Matt 1:18; Matt 28:19–20; John 1:32–34; Acts 1:8; Acts 5:3–4; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 2:10–13)
The Bible
We believe that the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the divinely inspired Word of God, given through the Holy Spirit. It is without error in the original manuscripts and fully trustworthy in all it affirms. The Bible is necessary for knowing and understanding the gospel of Jesus, instruction in life, and knowing God’s will. As God’s revelation of Himself and His eternal purposes, Scripture is the ultimate authority for discerning truth, morality, and right living.
(2 Sam 7:28; 2 Tim 3:16; Rom 10:13–17; 2 Pet 1:21; Jas 1:18)
Humanity and Sin
Humankind, both male and female, was created in God’s image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created free from sin and were appointed as God’s representatives and caretakers of creation. However, when they chose to disobey God, they deviated from their intended purpose, becoming distorted reflections of God’s image. This rebellion led to a broken relationship with God, and the effects of their sin spread throughout all of creation. We believe that humans are sinners by nature and choice and need a righteousness that we cannot achieve on our own. We must be spiritually reborn, made alive through Christ, to be restored to fellowship with God and fulfill His original purpose for us.
(Gen 1–3; Jer 17:9; Rom 1:18–31; Rom 3:9–31; Rom 5:12–21; Eph 2:1–22)
Salvation
We believe that Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, suffering and dying in our place on the cross to fully absorb God’s wrath and pay the just penalty for our sins. He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again. We believe that salvation is found only through the cross and blood of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was resurrected for our justification. All who repent of their sins and trust in Christ are forgiven, cleansed, and fully reconciled to God as His children, and granted eternal life. We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith, in Christ.
(Rom 1:16; Rom 3:23–25; Mark 1:15; John 1:12; 3:36; 1 Cor 15:3–6; Gal 2:15; Eph 2:8–9; Col 1:15–23)
The Church
We believe that the Church is a spiritual family, established by God and built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, who is its cornerstone. As the Body of Christ, the Church is called to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and reflect God’s glory in the world. It exists to worship God, nurture believers, and fulfill the Great Commission by advancing His kingdom on earth. We affirm that the Church is both universal and local. All believers in Christ, past and present, are part of the universal Church, united by faith in Him. However, the primary way a believer experiences and expresses this reality is through commitment and submission to a biblically based, local church. It is within this community that spiritual gifts are exercised, discipleship takes place, and the love of Christ is made known. We believe that God has given leaders—such as elders and deacons—to equip and shepherd His people, and that all members of the Church are called to serve one another in love.
(Matt 16:15–19; Acts 20:28; Eph 2:20; Eph 3:9–11; 1 Cor 14:12; Eph 5:25; Heb 13:17)
Baptism
We believe that baptism is a sacred ordinance commanded by Jesus Christ for all who have placed their faith in Him. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation, symbolizing the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism by immersion in water serves as a public testimony of one’s repentance, faith, and new life in Christ. We do not believe that baptism is a means of salvation, but an act of obedience, demonstrating a believer’s commitment to follow Jesus as Lord. It signifies the washing away of sin, not by the water itself, but through the redemptive work of Christ. We affirm that baptism is a visible proclamation of the gospel and a declaration of allegiance to Christ, following His example and command.
(Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Rom 6:4; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3–4; 1 Pet 3:21)
The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ as a means for His followers to remember His sacrifice, proclaim His death, and anticipate His return. When the church gathers, believers are called to partake in the bread and the cup as a testimony of their faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross. The Lord’s Supper serves as a continual reminder of the new covenant established through His blood, bringing unity to the body of Christ and deepening our communion with Him and one another. We affirm that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed regularly by those who are in Christ—those who have repented of their sins and placed their trust in Him.
(Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 11:26; 1 Cor 10:17)
Last Things
We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and gloriously to establish His kingdom in its fullness. His return will bring the final judgment of the living and the dead, the resurrection of believers to eternal life, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. We believe that those who are in Christ will resurrect to everlasting joy in the presence of God, and those who reject Him will experience eternal separation and judgment. We believe in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells, and where God’s people will enjoy eternal fellowship with Him. Until that day, we live in hope, eagerly awaiting Christ’s return and seeking to advance His kingdom on earth.
(Eph 1:9–10; 1 Thess 4:16; Heb 9:27; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:3)