Our beliefs
What We Believe
It’s always good practice to investigate the faith of people before you take life-altering advice from them. Here’s what we believe.
God created and rules everything
All things were created by God and exist for God. God exists as the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. He has always existed and exists in eternity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are completely equal and are one God. We can not understand our existence outside of our relationship with God. Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3:22. Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 11:3, John 1:3.
Jesus is the Son of God
He is equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life and was the sacrifice for every sin of every person when He died on the cross. He demonstrated His power over sin and death by returning to life after three days. He returned to Heaven and plans to return to earth and reign as King. Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, Colossians 2:9-10.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, equal with the Father and Son, is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in each believer from the moment of belief and provides them with power, insight, and guidance for right living. He gives each believer special abilities and purpose. Acts 1:8, John 14:16-17, John 16:7-13, Galatians 5:25, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 4:10-11.
The Bible
The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors under the guidance of God the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and wisdom for Christian living. Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:160, Psalm 12:6, Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 1:13, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:12.
Humanity
People are made in the spiritual image of God and created to be like Him in character. We are, each of us, stained by disobedience toward God. We are all, without exception, sinners. Sin separates us from God and is the cause of many problems in our lives. Genesis 1:27, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:1-2, Psalm 139:13-16, Colossians 2:13-15.
Salvation
Because we are all sinners, we are all in need of a Savior. Self-improvement and good works do not earn favor with God or cause Him to overlook our sin. It is only by grace (undeserved favor) through faith in Jesus that we are saved from the penalty of sin. Salvation is entirely a gift from God made possible by Jesus suffering the penalty for our sins on the cross. Eternal life begins when we receive (by faith) the gift of salvation through Jesus and abandon the idea of becoming right with God by means of good behavior. Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 4:15.
Eternity
People are created to exist forever. Some will exist eternally with God because of salvation, while others will be eternally separated from God because they have rejected His Son. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To exist with God eternally is Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16-17, John 14:17, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 25:31-34, Matthew 25:41.
Baptism
Baptism is a symbol of our salvation. It is a physical depiction of our association with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. A wedding ring is not a marriage but the symbol that marriage has occurred. Baptism is not the vehicle of grace but a public demonstration of a new life in Jesus. Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12.
Liberty in non-essential beliefs
Too many people love their non-essential beliefs more than they love other believers. I think that is unfortunate and has soiled the thinking of many who genuinely seek God. Divisions regarding non-essential issues account for the many factions among believers and set a poor example for those outside the household of faith. Romans 14:1, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:12, Romans 14:22, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 1 John 4:15, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:2.