MAN:
We believe
that man was originally created in the image of God but fell
through sin and, as a consequence, became dead in sin and
totally depraved. This depraved nature has been transmitted to
all men in all ages, the only exception being Jesus Christ.
Thus, all men have a nature that is opposed to God and cannot be
renewed or regenerated apart from divine grace (Genesis 1:16,
2:17; Romans 3:10-19, 5:12; Psalm 51:5; 1 Corinthians 2:14;
Ephesians 2:1-5).
THE
SCRIPTURES:
We believe
that the Bible, consisting of the 39 books of the Old Testament
and the 27 books of the New Testament, is inspired by God (God
breathed) and that the words were written by holy men of God who
were guided by the Holy Spirit. This inspiration extends to all
parts of the Bible equally and fully, and in its original
manuscripts was absolutely without error. The central message of
the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible is the complete
and final authority for saving faith and practical instruction
(Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39, 14:26, 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:13;
2 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
THE
GODHEAD:
We believe
that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit and these three persons are one God, each being
fully God and having the same nature and attributes (Matthew
3:16-17, 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 6:27; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3-4).
SALVATION:
We believe
that because every man is spiritually dead, it is impossible to
receive life apart from God’s intervention. Life comes by means
of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and through the
finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There are no human
works of any kind that can provide this life. Salvation comes
only through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and that faith is
the gift from God. Personal faith in Christ is the sole
condition for life. Those who put their trust in Christ are the
children of God and are complete in Him (John 1:12-13; 3:16-18,
36, 5:11-12, 24; 6:37-39, 44, 10:24-30; Ephesians 1:3, 7; 2:8-9;
Romans 1:16-17; 4:5; 5:6-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:22;
Philippians 3:4-9; Colossians 2:10; Titus 3:5; Acts 13:38-39).
THE
DEVIL:
We believe
that Satan is the highest in rank of all angelic creatures and
that he sinned through pride, thereby becoming the author of sin
and the cause of the fall of Adam and Eve. He is the open and
declared enemy of God and man, implementing his plan through the
use of demons or fallen angels. Satan was defeated at the cross
and will be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah
14:12-17; Genesis 3:1-19; Colossians 2:14-15; Revelation
20:1-3,10).
THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST:
We believe
that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became man
without ceasing to be God. He took upon flesh in order to die
for sin. He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and
born of a virgin, taking on a fully human body with a sinless
nature, becoming completely human while at the same time
remaining completely divine. (John 1:1-3, 14, 18; Luke 1:30-35;
Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 1:1-2).
We believe
that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was sufficient to pay
man’s sin debt. He arose in a physically resurrected body to
confirm His deity, to ensure that His death was acceptable to
His Father and to serve as the first fruits of our resurrection
to come. He will one day rule over an eternal kingdom (2
Corinthians 5:21; Romans 1:4, 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; 1
Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 10:5-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5;
Philippians 2:10).
We believe
that Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, was exalted at the right
hand of the Father where He now serves as our High Priest and
Head of His body, the church, with the Father (Acts 1:9;
Ephesians 1:20-23, 4:15-16; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:3, 7:25;
1 John 2:1).
