What We Believe

The statements below provide a quick view of some foundational understandings of a worldview shaped by the Bible.  These are things we agree to hold as truth.

People
People exist to glorify and worship the Creator revealed in the Bible, and to serve His will.  Our disobedience prompted God to give His Son, to pay the penalty for our sins.  We live in gratitude for what God has accomplished for us that we cannot do ourselves.  God gives everyone the choice to accept His love.  We are responsible for our response to God's gift of salvation, for our spiritual growth, and for the use of our gifts, talents, knowledge, and abilities to build Christ's Kingdom.  Romans 2:21-26; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-5

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament scriptures, the Son of Jehovah God.  He is the only way to God.  He lived a sinless life, died for our sins, experienced a bodily resurrection, appeared again alive to His disciples, and ascended into Heaven where He now dwells with God the Father.  Jesus will return to judge the world and begin the eternal heavenly reign.  Philippians 2:6-11; John 14:6; Revelation 19-21

The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God.  We revere it as the prime source of revelation of the character, nature and plans of the one true God.  Christians are to learn it's truths, and to apply what they know through the power of the Holy Spirit.  2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 7:21-27

The Church
We grow in our faith through our connection to other believers.  Following Jesus is not a lone ranger existence.  Our salvation is best understood and lived out in the community of believers known as the Church.  The Church is the Body of Christ.  It is God's instrument on earth to bring the ministry and the message about Jesus to the world.  It is a fellowship of those set apart to God's purposes, devoted to the Word of God, to communion and to prayer, to meet each others needs, to witness miracles and to share worldly goods, in order to accomplish the preaching of the Gospel in all the world.  Acts 2:41-44; 1 Corinthians 12; Matthew 28:18-20

Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers the Word of God to convict hearts about sin and reveals to anyone willing to hear.  Upon accepting Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells each believer and gives that individual at least one spiritual gift to build up the local Body of Christ.  Among other things, His ministry includes the use of the Word of God and life's circumstances to change our character, to help us exhibit the fruit of the Spirit; He gives us boldness and spiritual gifts to proclaim Jesus to the world.  1 Corinthians 12:3-7Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 5:22-23

Salvation
God gave us his Son, Jesus, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  It is by God's grace that we can be freed from sin.  We must respond to His offer of salvation by being reborn spiritually.  Each person is responsible to make a choice to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.  In our hearts, we must believe that Jesus is Lord, and repent of our sin.  Outwardly, we are to demonstrate our inward belief by confessing our faith to others, experiencing baptism, and living for Jesus.  Those who choose Christ have the gift of eternal life in heaven after death and will rule with Christ in His Kingdom.  Those who reject Jesus will experience an eternity separated from God in the anguish of hell.  John 3:3-6, 15:5-8

Christianity
Believers wear the name Christian thus promoting the unity of the church.  We are to work for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace among believers.  We are Ambassadors of Christ to everyone, everywhere, all the time.  Believers are to play an active role in ministry of the local church, being fully devoted followers and difference makers in the Church and world.  Believers have the privilege and responsibility of supporting the ministry of their local church with their time, finances, talents, energy and spiritual gifts.  Acts 11:26; James 2:14-26; 2 Corinthians 9:6-14