Statement of Faith

THESE THINGS WE BELIEVE:

1. ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of
Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. (Psalms 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

2. ABOUT GOD

God is the creator of the universe. He reigns with providential care over His creation. He eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, Isaiah 43:10-13, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Peter 1:2)

3. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Born of a virgin, Jesus lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth, to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-15; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:14-15; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

4. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control every day. (John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18)

5. ABOUT MAN

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the crowning workof God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by disobedience toward God called “sin.” This sin separates man from God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-8; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)

6. ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is a free gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement
or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God’s offer for forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty; the one who refuses this offer will suffer the penalty for his sin. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith. (John 1:12, 14:3-6; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-14, 3:5)

7. ABOUT ETERNITY

Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in
union with God through forgiveness and salvation. Jesus will judge all men in righteousness. The
unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their
resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. (John 3:16, 6:40; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15)

8. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. (John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:13)

9. ABOUT BAPTISM

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. Biblical baptism takes place after conversion and in the mode of immersion. Baptism is an act of obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ and is a witness of salvation not a part of salvation. (Matthew 3:6, 13-17, 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41, 8:26-40, 16:25-34)

10. ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN WALK

The Christian life should be a life of sanctification and holiness. Such a life cannot be lived
through a person’s own efforts but only through the presence of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:22, Galatians 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; I Peter 1:13-16)

11. ABOUT THE CHURCH

The local Church is made up of those redeemed through Christ who are baptized believers. The
mission is to declare the gospel of redemption to a lost world. The local Church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the lordship of Jesus Christ. In the church, each member is responsible to one another. (Acts 2:41-47, 5:11-14; Ephesians 2:19-22; Colossians 1:18)

12. ABOUT STEWARDSHIP

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Therefore, we are under obligation to serve Him with our time, talents, and material possessions, and we should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and for helping others. We should contribute cheerfully, regularly, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the cause of Christ. (Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21; Luke 12:16-21, 42-48; Acts 2:44-47, 5:1-11, Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 12:4-7; 16:1-4; Philippians 4:10-19)