We believe in one God—Creator of all, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4). We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life, died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven where, at th
e right hand of God, He is our High Priest and Advocate (Jn. 1:1,2; Lk. 1:35; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Heb. 9:24; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 Jn. 1:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:6c, 1 Pet.2:22). We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ, convict individuals, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, and empower the believer for Godly living and service (Jn. 15:26; Jn. 16:8; Rom. 8-9; Eph. 1:13-14; Jn. 14:26; Jn. 16:13; 1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 5:18)
We believe that the New Birth (Salvation) and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit are the same experience. All believers have been baptized into Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit making one unified body; because of this, we do not teach a second definite work of grace. As a result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, His gifts and fruit are to be manifested during this church age (Rom. 6:1-4; 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:4-7). We believe the Bible to be the only inspired Word of God, without error in the original, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). We believe that man, created in the image of God, fell into sin and is therefore lost. Only through faith in Christ and the regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Gen. 1:25-26; Rom. 3:22-23; Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 1:1-3, 12; Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8-9). We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for redemption, and only those who receive Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and are the children of God (Jn. 1:12; Acts 4:12; Heb. 9:22). We believe that the Lord's Supper and water baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation (Mt. 28:18-20; Rom. 6:1-4; Lk. 22:19). We believe that the true Church is composed of all who have been regenerated by saving faith and are united as the body of Christ, of which He is the head (Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 5:23). This “Blessed Hope” is to encourage and to have a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. As we long for His appearing, believers are called to be confident, ready, and to “stay awake” (Rev. 22:20; Acts 1:11; 2 Tim 4:8; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-13; Matt. 24:42-44). We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to eternal joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting punishment (Mk. 9:43-48; Rev. 20:10-15; Rev. 22:3-5; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
