What we believe
God
There is one God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three manifestations: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22
Psalm 90:2
Matthew 28:19
1 Peter 1:2
2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of Father God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. He has been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born as a human of the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. Further, He arose bodily from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven where, at the right hand of Father God, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. The shedding of His blood enforced the New Covenant by which we are saved.
He will return again someday to earth to gather His elect.
Matthew 1:22, 23
Isaiah 9:6
John 1:1-5, 14:10-30
Hebrews 4:14-15
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Romans 1:3-4
Acts 1:9-11
1 Timothy 6:14-15
Titus 2:13
When and how will He return?
Matthew 24:29-31 (NET)29. "Immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.30. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, (the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context) and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven (An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full authority to judge) with power and great glory.31. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
Acts 1:8
1 Corinthians 3:17
John 16:7-13, 14:16-17
Galatians 5:25
1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16
Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, without error in the original writings. It is the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
2 Timothy 3:16, 1:13
2 Peter 1:20-21
Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6
Proverbs 30:5
About the New Covenant
The shedding of the Blood of Jesus enforced the New Covenant by which we are saved. We believe in the New Covenant and the Gospel of righteousness that is Jesus Christ. The New Covenant says God will put His Word in our minds and in our hearts and He will remember our sins no more. We interpret this as: the Word is the Gospel of Jesus. As we read this Word it enters our minds. As we meditate and study on this Word, the Holy Spirit gives us understanding that we are enlightened and that word becomes truth and enters our heart as absolute belief changing us to be more and more like the Lord.
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
Genesis 1:27
Psalm 8:3-6
Isaiah 53:6a
Romans 3:23
Isaiah 59:1-2
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 14:6, 1:2
Titus 3:5
Galatians 3:26
Romans 5:1, 10:9-10
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 14:17
Romans 6:23, 8:17-18
Revelation 20:15
1 Corinthians 2:7-9
About Baptism and Communion
Water baptism by immersion soon after accepting Christ as personal Savior, is a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a new life and is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to "fulfill all righteousness."
The Lord's Supper is a memorial service setting forth in sacred and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ; all true believers and only believers should share in it.
Matthew 3:16-17 , 28:18-20
Acts 2:41 , 8:12
Matthew 6:31-33 (NET) is very clear about it:31. So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?32. For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
In addition to Essential Beliefs, we uphold the following
In Non-Essential Beliefs, we have liberty. Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
In All our Beliefs, we show charity. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Romans 14:1,4,12, 22
1 Corinthians 13:2
Although our Ministry strongly affirms the clear teaching of the Word of God, it allows believers the personal freedom to have varying interpretations on theological issues that are not clearly presented in Scripture.