Our Beliefs1. About God... God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal, co-existent, co-powerful, and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2) 2. About Jesus Christ... Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:2, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Titus 2:13) 3. About the Holy Spirit... The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we should seek to live under His control daily. (John 14:16- 17, 26; John 15:26-27; John 16:7-11, 13-14; Acts 1:8) 4. About the Bible... The Bible is God's word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:89, 105, 160) 5. About Human Beings... People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God. (Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53 :6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2) 6. About Salvation... Salvation is a gift from God to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2 :8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10, 13) 7. About Eternity... People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin in Hell or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; I John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 10:28) 8. About the Church... The local church is the place (i.e. agency) through which God has chosen to accomplish His work in the world. A New Testament church is a local assembly of born-again, baptized believers united in organization to meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and to engage actively in carrying out the Great Commission. (Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) 9. About Baptism... All who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized by immersion. Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to the world that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:41) 10. About Communion... The Lord's table consists of two elements: the bread and cup. Those elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ's sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation. (I Corinthians 11:17-28)
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