ArTICLES OF FAITH

At the center of Christian faith and practice stands the belief that God has spoken to the world in the person and work of Jesus Christ, which is accurately and authoritatively revealed in the Christian Bible (“the Scriptures”). The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and sufficient Word of God and is thus the ultimate authority for life, faith and morals. These articles reflect succinct summaries of biblical boundaries, but it is the Bible itself to which we are in ultimate submission. The phraseology employed in these articles is not inspired, and no claim is made that they contain all biblical truth. They are intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us so that we all speak the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42).

#1 - The Scriptures

We believe the Holy Bible, consisting of both the Old and the New Testaments, is the inspired revelation of God to man. Therefore, the Scriptures are the infallible, authoritative rule for all matters of faith and conduct. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

#2 - GOD (the trinitY)

We believe in one God who is eternally self-existent, the Creator of all things, and the Redeemer of mankind. Almighty God exists in three coequal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22)

#3 - JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ who is the eternal Son of God and is God himself, manifest in the flesh (John 1:1,14). The Scriptures declare:

  • His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)

  • His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)

  • His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)

  • His redemptive work (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

  • His bodily resurrection (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4)

  • His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)

  • His second coming (John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Hebrews 9:28)

#4 - The HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, coequal with Jesus and the Father in the Godhead; that He convicts the world of sin, regenerates, indwells, baptizes, empowers, and promotes righteousness and judgment; that He is helper, comforter and guide to all who believe in Jesus. (John 14:15-17,26; 15:26; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

#5 - The Spiritual New Birth

We believe in the spiritual new birth of repentant sinners who, having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection, receive the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit. This experience, provided by the vicarious death and redemptive work of the blood of Jesus Christ, brings a person into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:3-8; Romans 3:24-25; 10:9-13)

#6 - The Church

We believe Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which is made up of all who have experienced the spiritual new birth (1 Corinthians 12:27; Colossians 1:18). We further believe God has ordained the local church to edify and equip believers to carry out Christ’s command to make disciples (Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:18-20).

#7 - The NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH

We believe there will be a new heaven and a new earth where Jesus Christ will rule and reign (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:1). This will be preceded by the return of Jesus Christ and the final judgments (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 11:15; 20:12-13).