Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, the eternal Son of God. The Scripture declares his virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-23); His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:4,5); His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:37-38); His substitutionary death on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24 & 1 Corinthians 15:4); His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:4); His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; Philippians 2:9-11).
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives within and guides Christians so they are enabled to live godly lives (John 14:15-26, 16:5-16; Ephesians 1:13-14). The nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity. The nine gifts of the Spirit are different manifestations of the Spirit to build up the body (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). We are instructed to diligently seek the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1), but they must be exercised in an orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:26-33) in the context of love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
We believe that God created all human beings in His image. Therefore, we believe that human life is sacred from conception to its natural end; that we must honor the physical and spiritual needs of all people; following Christ’s example, we believe that every person should be treated with love, dignity, and respect (Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10).
Mankind was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). However, by a voluntary act of the will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis 3:6). That first sin had several repercussions. Mankind was excommunicated from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23), a curse was pronounced (Genesis 3:14-19), the process of physical death began (Genesis 2:17), and mankind died spiritually (Romans 5:12-19). Sin separated people from God (Ephesians 2:11-18) and left mankind in a fallen or sinful condition (Romans 3:23).
The only means of salvation is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (1 Peter 2:24). He offers each of us a pardon for our sins (Hebrews 9:26) and wants us to become children of God (John 1:12).
When we put our faith in Christ, it triggers a spiritual chain reaction. We become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelations. 3:5). We become citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). We are given eternal life (John 3:16). We are adopted and become children of God (Galatians 4:4-7). Our sins are forgiven and forgotten (Hebrews 8:12). We are credited with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:4-5). We are born again (John 3:3). God takes ownership of us (1 Corinthians 6:20). We receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
The evidence of salvation is two-fold. The internal evidence is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). The external evidence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12) The Bible teaches that, without holiness, no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, beginning at the time of salvation and continuing until the return of Christ (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:30).
We believe God’s design for sexual intimacy is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman to complement and complete each other. God instituted marriage between one man and one woman as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, we believe that marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-2; Corinthians 6:9). All alternative sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage, such as homosexuality/bisexual practices, adultery, fornication, bestiality, incest, polygamy, pedophilia, and pornography is sin (Genesis 1:27; 2:24, I Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6:9-11).
The Church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and has a three-fold purpose: To evangelize the world (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-16), to worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13), and to equip for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).
There will be a final judgment in which the dead will be resurrected and judged according to their works (Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:1-9). Everyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, along with the devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Revelations 20:11-15). Those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be resurrected and stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ to be rewarded for their good deeds (1 Corinthians 4:5).
