Statement of Faith

• The Bible.  We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books in the Old and New Testaments is the Word of God.  It is inspired by the Holy Spirit; infallible in the original writing and the supreme written authority for matters of life and faith.  No word may be added or taken away from the Bible (Jos.1:8; Ps.19:7-11; II Ti. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21).

• God.  There is only one Gd infinitely perfect and eternally in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  These three persons possess the same nature, attributes and glory but are distinct in office and activity  (De.6:4; Isa. 48:16; Matt. 28:19; James 2:19).

• Jesus Christ.  We believe in Jesus the Son of God, the Word made flesh.  We believe in his full Divinity, His conception by the Holy Spirit, His birth by the virgin Mary and His real but sinless humanity.  In His life on earth He was tested but remained sinless.  HE suffered willingly  taking our sin upon Himself and dying on the cross for our salvation.  On the third day He rose from the grave in victory over sin and death.  He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us (I Jn. 5:20; Lk. 1:35; Matt. 1:20; Eph. 2:8-9).

• The Holy Spirit.  Each believer is indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of Redemption.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict sinners.  The Holy Spirit also regenerates, indwells, guides, instructs and empowers believers for godly living and service  (Eph. 4:30; Jn. 14:16; Jn. 16:7-14; Ro. 8:9).

• Salvation.  We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin so that every member of the human race is separated from God and by His nature sinful and lost.  Salvation is entirely by God's grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.  Only those who receive Jesus as Savior are born of the Holy Spirit and become children of God (Gen. 1:27; Ro. 3:23; Eph. 2:8-9; I Peter 1:5-9 ).

• The Church.  The true church in not an organization but an organism comprised of all believers.  We believe Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church.  The local church is the expression of the true church, having the right under Christ to decide and govern its' own affairs.  Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed during the present age, but are to be regarded as means of grace  (Acts 4:32-35; Col.1:18; Gal3:26-28; Eph. 1:22-23 ).

• Return of Christ.  We believe in the person and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose coming is the fulfillment of the hope that is set before believers (Jn. 14:1-6; Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:11-26 ).