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Our Basic Beliefs
Our Belief about God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one Being.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Our Belief about Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Is. 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
Our Belief 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 people 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. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when he/she is born again. As Christians, we seek to live under his leadership daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
Our Belief about the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
Our Belief about Human Beings
People are made in the image of God and intended to be like him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by attitudes and acts of disobedience toward God called “sin,” hence we are separated from God and life has become problematic.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
Our Our Belief about Salvation
Salvation is God’s gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement, good works, or religion. Only by becoming a follower of Jesus through belief can we receive God’s offer of salvation. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are rescued. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
Our Belief about the Church
The Church is the Body of Christ in the world today. Every member has special abilities (spiritual gifts) with which to serve the Body. The local church is an autonomous local body of baptized believers that are under the lordship of Christ with Jesus at the head. The purpose of the church is to connect people with God, others and bring others to faith in Jesus. This means to connect people with God in worship and a personal relationship of salvation. It also means to connect people in discipleship, biblical community, and service. The New Testament refers to the Body of Christ, which includes all believers of all the ages.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrew 11:39-40;1 Peter 5:1-4.
Our Belief about Baptism and the Lord's Supper
The New Testament practice of baptism is the immersion of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a symbol of obedience to Christ’s command and symbolizes the believer’s faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is a requirement of church membership and always follows a personal commitment of faith in Jesus as Savior.
The Lord's Supper is an act of worship that is symbolic and in remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
Our Belief about Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. 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 us security.
The Lord's Supper is an act of worship that is symbolic and in remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 2:19
Our Belief about Eternity
People were created to exist forever even though our physical bodies now experience death. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in the fullness of God through forgiveness and salvation. Hell is the place of God’s judgment on sin. Heaven is life in God’s special presence and the realization of who he intended for us to be. God made us to be with him, but he gives us a choice and respects our decisions.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
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