DOCTRINAL BELIEFS...
WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired and without error in their original writings, and are the final authority in faith and life. WE BELIEVE in one God, who exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ, who was God from eternity, was begotten by the Holy Spi
rit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true man and true God. WE BELIEVE that God created a host of angels who were sinless spiritual beings. Some of them, led by Satan, fell into sin, and now oppose God and those whom God blesses. The holy angels continue to minister as servants of God. WE BELIEVE that Adam was created without sin, but through his transgression fell from his original innocence. Descendants of Adam are born with a sin nature and are subject to death and eternal judgment, apart from divine grace. WE BELIEVE that Christ died for man’s sin and rose bodily from the grave. We believe in His bodily ascension, in His present work as High Priest and Advocate in heaven for those chosen in Him, and in the “blessed hope” of His personal, bodily return to receive the redeemed saints unto Himself. WE BELIEVE that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ as Savior and Sin-bearer and is entirely a free gift of God. Man’s works can in no way add to the finished work of Christ or in any way earn God’s favor, which is unmerited. WE BELIEVE that at death the saved enter into the presence of God immediately, to spend eternity with Him. At death, the unsaved go immediately into eternal conscious punishment. We believe in the future bodily resurrection of all the dead. WE BELIEVE that God the Holy Spirit regenerates those who trust Christ. He baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, indwells them permanently, and seals them unto the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit empowers the child of God to grow in grace and to live godly in Christ Jesus. WE BELIEVE that all who trust Christ as Savior are members of the Church, which is the body of Christ and of which He alone is the Head. The body of Christ is manifest in the local church, which gathers to glorify God through worship, equipping for service, fellowship, and witness. WE BELIEVE in the pre-millennial interpretation of Scripture. Israel and the church are distinct groups with distinct promises and purposes within the program of God. Jesus Christ will come in the air for His church (the rapture) before the tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th week) begins. He will come again at the end of the tribulation period and set up His millennial kingdom on earth over which He will rule for 1,000 years. Satan will be bound during the millennium and the saints will rule with Jesus Christ. At the end of this period Satan will be loosed for a short while for a final rebellion. The outcome will be that Satan will be cast into the lake of fire forever and with those who have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. A new heaven and earth will be created and the saints of all ages will dwell there forever in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. WE BELIEVE that all Christians are called and commissioned by the Lord to live to the glory of God and be witnesses to the gospel of Christ. WE BELIEVE that God will reward those who faithfully serve him. While eternal life is a free gift based on faith alone in Christ alone, eternal rewards are stored up for those who serve Christ out of love and proper motives.
