We believe that God's word is infallible in that all of it's promises are trustworthy. In other words, we believe that when we follow, obey, or apply God's word as it prescribes, we can trust the outcomes that will result (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible, God's word, consists exclusively of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. As such, the Bible is complete. Thus there are no more books to be discovered or revealed to us and no more books to be added to the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19).
SALVATION
We believe that we are saved by grace through faith (i.e., belief) in Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible, God's word, tells us that we have all sinned (i.e., that we have all disobeyed God by violating His perfect commands to us - cf. Romans 3:23). God's word also tells us that the consequence of our sin is eternal death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). We believe that Jesus is God the Son who is both fully God and fully man (John 1:14). Jesus lived a perfect life so that He would be the perfect, eternal sacrifice to satisfy our holy God's sentence of death towards all who will trust in Him. Faith in Jesus is the only, exclusive way to forgiveness of sin and eternal life (John 14:6). When someone trusts or believes in Jesus Christ as their Savior & Lord, they believe that Jesus died to pay the price for their sins (i.e., disobedience) against our holy, just, perfect God. They also believe that Jesus arose from the grave after His sacrificial death on the cross, that He ascended to heaven, and that He is soon coming back to gather all believers to be with Him forever. We believe that although not all persons will be saved, we do believe that God desires that all would be saved (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-6).
Although we believe that we are saved by grace through faith alone and that we are specifically not able to deserve, merit, work for, or earn God's forgiveness and salvation on the basis of our own goodness or own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9), we do believe that as believers who are saved by grace through faith that we must respond to our salvation by living obediently for God's glory (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2).
BELIEFS
1. God's word, the Bible (i.e., Scripture), is the sole basis for all doctrines or beliefs. Therefore, doctrine should in no way contradict or disagree with God's word.
2. God's word, the Bible, is the supreme and final authority for all of the Christian life.
3. We properly understand God's word only by the illumination (i.e., leading, guidance, and direction) of God the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit empowers us to live and obey God's word in such a way that is pleasing to God (Philippians 4:13).
4. We fully affirm the "Baptist Faith & Message 2000" as published by the Southern Baptist Convention as we believe that it correctly represents the doctrines (i.e., teachings) of the Bible (i.e., God's word; Scripture).
