What We Believe

It is on these Non-Negotiable Beliefs or closed handed theological statements, we derive our deep sense of unity and commitment to each other and the mission God has given us.

THE BIBLE

THE TRINITY

THE FATHER

The Bible is God’s written word to all people. Written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Since God inspired it, the Bible is truth without mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.

(Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16)

God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves a different function, they each possess equal power and authority.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19)

God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, He is holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good: He is our perfect Father, loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.

(Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6 John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4)

THE SON

THE HOLY SPIRIT

ETERNITY

Jesus Christ is completely human, but at the same time completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people far from God back into right relationship with God. Jesus lived a perfect life so that He could be the substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He received the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross satisfying God’s wrath, and defeating death in His resurrection so that we could all have life.

(Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 12:2; 13:8; 1 John 4:14-15)

The presence of the Holy Spirit assures us of our relationship with Christ, guiding believers into all truth and exalting Christ. He convicts people of sin, reminds us of God’s righteousness and the coming judgment. He also is our comforter, the giver of spiritual gifts, empowers us to witness boldly, and make us more like Christ.

(Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17)

Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

(John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15)

SALVATION

The blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned through our own efforts. Jesus is the antidote.

(Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:9-10; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20)

THE CHURCH

The church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ, obeying all His commands, and it seeks to share the gospel with the world. The Church works together through love and unity to fulfill the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

(Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3)