What we believe
Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible is the written, and inspired, Word of God. That it was written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit to give an account of past, present and future divine truth. We believe that the Holy Bible has been preserved by God and is the supreme authority of the household of faith. We believe that the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is inerrant. Finally, We Believe that the Holy Bible is the final authority for both faith and life and is a guide for fallen man to live a righteous life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Godhead (Holy Trinity)
We believe that there is only one true God. We believe that the term “Trinity” refers to the triune nature of God meaning that the one true God exists in three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) each of Whom is fully and equally God. We believe that while the term “Trinity” does not appear in the bible the concept is evidenced throughout scripture (Genesis 1:26-28; Matthew 3:16-17).
God the Father
We believe that God the Father is the creator of all things and the first person of the “Trinity.” He is the sovereign ruler of the entire universe, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of all believers. Furthermore, He makes us aware of his goodness in creation and convicts us by showing us his attributes. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnibeneficient, all loving and righteous. (Gen. 1:1; Eph. 4:6; John 1:12-13; John 5:19-21; John 17:1-5; Isa. 43:10-13; Isa. 46:8-11; Rom 8:14-16)
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and the second person of the “Trinity.” We believe that he was born of the Virgin Mary after she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus was both fully man and fully God at the same time. We believe that, as a man, he lived a sinless life and died on the cross to fulfill prophecy and become the Savior by taking away the sins of the world. His death was the propitiation for our sins past, present, and future. We believe that He is the only way that a fallen man can get into a righteous relationship with the Father and He redeems us with His shed blood at Calvary. We believe that he physically died, was buried and resurrected three days later. We believe that he ascended to Heaven, in his glorified resurrected body, and now continues his ministry of intercession at the right hand of the Father. Furthermore, We believe that Jesus will return in descending fashion, in the same way that he ascended in the air, to claim his bride, the Church. Finally, We believe that He will come again to earth in bodily form, personally and visibly, to conclude human history and consummate God's eternal plan by executing judgment and ushering in his Millennial Kingdom. (John 1:1; John 3:16 Luke 1: 30-35; Phil. 2-5-8; Col. :3-9; Mark 10:45; Acts 2:22-24; John 1:29 Rom. 3: 25-26; Hebrews 10:5-14; John 14:6; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; John 20:20; Phil. 3:20-21; Hebrews 1:3; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Thes. 2:7; Matt. 24:44; Rev. 1:11-21; Rev. 21-22)
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the resident agent of God and the third person of the “Trinity.” He empowers us to accept Jesus and then teaches and guides us in our new life. He is the believer's friend, the comforter of the saints, the paraclete, the enabling spirit, the one who brings to our remembrance the things of Christ, and the one who makes intercession in our heart with groanings. He comes into our heart to reside the moment we accept Jesus Christ. (John 16)
Man
We believe that man is God's greatest creation; created in His image and given dominion over every living thing on Earth. We believe that man was created to glorify, worship, serve and have fellowship with God. However, man fell out of a right relationship with God because of the sin and disobedience that began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Man’s disobedience has led to both a physical and spiritual death. Man’s sin has led to alienation from God and renders him completely incapable of saving himself. Man can no longer enter into a right relationship with God by his own merit or effort. (Gen. 1:26; Gen 2:6,17; Gen 3: 17-24; Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 3:9-19,23; Rom. 5-8; Luke 18:26-27; Eph. 2:13)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the forgiveness of one’s sins through Jesus Christ and it is available to all that, by faith, believe in His finished work. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ serves as the atoning sacrifice and sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. We believe that salvation is the free gift of God’s grace and that it cannot be obtained through personal merit or work. We believe that there are three stages of Salvation; conversion, sanctification, and glorification. Furthermore, We believe that there are three stages of conversion; conviction which is gradual, repentance which is instantaneous, and regeneration which means to be renewed in Christ. Sanctification is the lifelong process of working out one's salvation. Glorification is when you die and are free from the power, penalty and presence of sin. Finally, We believe that those who put their faith in Jesus Christ are born again, and are a new creation in Christ. (Eph.1:7:13-14; John 1:12-13; John 14-16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:16; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1John 1:8; 1 John 1:9; Romans 12:2; Phil. 2:12; Romans 8:30)
Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ of which Jesus established and is the Head and whose members are those who have truly received Christ by faith. The church is the Bride of Christ and the Bride joins the Holy Spirit in calling members to come to Christ. We believe that the church is the visible presence of Christ on Earth and we are to continue his ministry in the world; people are supposed to be blessed and helped because we are his body. The church is the Battler for Christ referring to his called chosen and faithful few who operate in the power of his might, giving a critical critique to the dominant culture, articulating the pain of the people and working towards a creative response holding up the standards of the Kingdom. (Matthew 16:18; Col. 1:18; Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:27; 1 Cor. 12:14; John 14:12; 2 Cor. 10:4)
Baptism and Communion
We believe that Baptism and Communion are the ordinances of the church. Baptism is an outward statement of an inward change. It is the complete immersion of one in water symbolizing the cleansing from sin linking us to the community of faith. It is an act of faith and is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Communion, also referred to as the Lord’s Supper, is a symbolic act of obedience and it is a command. It represents Christ's last supper with the Disciples. Furthermore, We believe in the consubstantiation of Communion whereas the bread and fruit of the vine are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. (Matthew 3:16; Luke 22:17-19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Cor. 11:27-31.
Sin
We believe that Sin is choosing a standard other than God's law on which to base your life. We believe that sin began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Sin is disobedience to the will of God. We believe that man was in a perfect relationship with God but in an attempt to become his own God, separated himself from God and lost what God had for him. We believe that the penalty for sin is death. However God did not leave fallen man without a way to get back to him and through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have a way back to the father. (1 John 3:4; Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:6; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:2).