Our Core Beliefs
GOD
We believe there is one God who eternally exists in three equally divine persons; The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is the all-powerful Creator of everything and sovereign over all. He is infinitely holy and deserving of our highest worship. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 45:5-6)
HUMANITY
We believe men and women are the special creation of God, made in His own image. But through the sin of the first man, Adam, mankind fell from perfect relationship with God so that all people are inclined to sin and spiritually dead in their sins. Only the grace of God can reconcile this relationship. (Genesis 1:26-30; Romans 3:10-18; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-10)
JESUS
We believe Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was born of a virgin, was wholly God and wholly man, lived a sinless life, willingly died in our place as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, was buried, arose from the grave with a glorified body and ascended into heaven. Now He is exalted at the right hand of the Father and will literally return to earth to establish His Kingdom. (John 1:1-5,14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 25:31-33)
SALVATION
We believe salvation is the work of God and a gift to be received free from human effort. Only through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can man be saved from their sins. Even though salvation is effective immediately, our sanctification is a process that God develops over a lifetime. (Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:16, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6; Philippians 2:12-13)
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe God the Holy Spirit is active in carrying out the will of God. He worked in creation, inspiring the writing of scripture and the ministry of Jesus. The Holy Spirit still works by convicting unbelievers of their need for salvation, as well as comforting and guiding the lives of each believer. He is the fuel which empowers the Church. (John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21)
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the Word of God without any error. It is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind as the sole authority for life and faith and therefore should be trusted. It will never pass away and points all things to God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)
BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe Jesus Christ instructed His followers to regularly practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism does not save an individual but serves to symbolize an identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection and thus a connection with His Church. The Lord’s Supper demonstrates an ongoing remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ in order to align our lives with His as well as an anticipation for His return when we will fellowship around His table. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19-20; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
OTHER DOCTRINES
If you would like a more in-depth explanation of our doctrinal beliefs, you may want to read The Baptist Faith & Message.