The Bible We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice. (Ps. 119:89; Matt. 24:35; II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21) God We believe there is one God. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and attribute, fulfilling distinct, but complementary, roles in the great work of redemption. (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 3:16-17; II Cor. 13:14; I Tim. 1:17; I John 5:7) (1) GOD THE FATHER We believe in God the Father, the co-Creator with the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and unchangeable Creator of all. (Deut. 32:6; Ps. 103:13; Isa. 63:16; Matt. 6:9; Eph. 4:6; John 5:19-23, 17:1-11; Acts 17:28; Rom. 8:14-16; I John 3:1) (2) GOD THE SON We believe in God the Son, co-Creator with the Father and Holy Spirit, who took upon Himself human form, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and given the name, Jesus. His death by crucifixion and His bodily resurrection, reconciled the human race to God. He ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us as the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Isa. 53:1-5; Matt. 1:21-23; John 1:1-3, 11:25-26; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:1-6; I Tim. 2:5) (3) GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe in God the Holy Spirit, co-Creator with the Father and Son, who is now sent by the Father through the Son to convict the world of sin, lead us into all truth, and empower and equip the Church to carry on Christ’s work on earth. (Gen. 1:2; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:8; Acts 1:8) The Fall of Mankind We believe the human race is fallen from its original, created goodness because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Gen. 1:27, 3:1-6; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 5:19) The Plan of Redemption We believe Jesus Christ was the sacrifice God planned from the foundation of the world for the sin of the human race. By shedding His blood and dying on the cross, Jesus made provision for the salvation of all people. (Isa. 53:5; Titus 2:14; Heb. 7:25; I Pet. 1:19-20) Salvation We believe, because of our total inability to save ourselves, salvation is by God’s grace alone. It is received by faith with repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior. (John 3:3, 3:16-17; Eph. 2:8-10; II Cor. 5:17; I Pet. 2:24) Water Baptism We believe water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an outward sign of an inward work and is commanded by God following conversion. (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Acts 2:38) Communion We believe in partaking of the bread and the cup of communion in remembrance of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. We celebrate an open communion for all believers regardless of church affiliation. (Luke 22:7-22; I Cor. 11:23-28; II Cor.13:5) Baptism in the Holy Spirit We believe the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer at the moment of salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through faith. Consistent with biblical accounts, believers should anticipate Spirit-baptism to be accompanied by speaking in tongues and other biblical manifestations. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from God, to offer an inspired witness for Christ, to lead the believer in a life of holiness, and to equip for a Spirit-filled life of service. (John 7:37-39, 14:16; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 8:14-17, 10:44-46, 19:6; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 3:16) Spirit Filled Life We believe every Christian should walk and abide in daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit and experience continual renewing of God’s power to live a Spirit-filled life in attitudes, thoughts, speech, and conduct. In order to build up and equip both individual believers and the Church of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts that are to be earnestly desired and exercised in the spirit of love. The fruit of the Spirit to be cultivated in the life of every believer is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (John 15:4, 15:8; Acts 4:31; Rom. 8:1, 8:5, 12:1-2, 12:6-8; I Cor. 3:17, 12:7-11, 12:31; II Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:11, 4:30-32, 5:18; Gal. 5:16-25; I Thess. 5:22; I Pet.1:15, 4:10-11; I John 2:6) Divine Healing We believe the power of God to heal the sick and afflicted is provided for in Christ’s death on the cross. God is willing to and does heal today. (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; Acts 3:16, 10:38; James 5:14-16; I Peter2:24) Resurrection We believe the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ assures the believer of bodily resurrection and eternal life. (Matt. 28:1-7; Rom. 6:1-10; I Cor. 15:20-22; I Thess. 4:14-18) Second Coming of Christ We believe the second coming of Christ will be personal, visible, and triumphant. (Zech. 14:4; Matt. 24:36-44; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-18; II Thess. 1:7-10, 2:8; Titus 2:12-13; Rev. 1:7) Church Relationship We believe Christians should assemble regularly for edification, worship, fellowship, and proclamation of the gospel. All believers should do the work of the ministry according to their spiritual gifts, and should tithe and otherwise contribute financially to their church. (Ps. 111:1; Mal. 3:8-10; Acts 2:42-47, 16:5; Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-7; Heb. 10:24-25) Civil Government We believe civil government is ordained of God, and all people should be subject to the laws of the land, except those contrary to Scripture. In times of war, the individual’s participation in actual combat and taking of human life shall be governed by one’s own conscience. (Mark 12:17; Acts 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7; I Tim. 2:1-2; Heb. 12:14) Final Judgment and Hell We believe there will be a final judgment for all unbelievers. Hell is an actual place of great suffering, bitter sorrow, and remorse reserved forever for the devil and his angels and all whose names are not written in Christ’s book of life. (Matt. 13:41-43, 25:41; Mark 9:43-44; Rev. 14:10-11, 20:10-15; 21:7-8) Heaven We believe heaven is an actual place of happiness and security where believers will dwell forever with God and receive the reward of their deeds done while on earth. (John 14:2; I Cor. 2:9, 3:10-15; Rev. 7:15-17, 21:4, 22:5) Evangelism and Missions We believe the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to carry the gospel message to the entire world – to every nation, ethnicity, culture, and language. The growth and strength of the Church depends on its wholehearted sacrifice and support for world evangelization. (Ps. 2:8; Prov. 11:30; Matt. 9:38; Mark 16:15; John 4:35-37; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:13-15; Eph. 5:16; II Tim. 4:1-2; James 5:20; Rev. 5:9)