"True instruction was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity."
(Malachi 2:6)
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Things We Believe
A brief guide to understanding the doctrine that drives us.
ESSENTIAL BELIEFS
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:14.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
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.
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people 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. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
1 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by acts of disobedience toward God called “sin.” These acts separate man from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2.
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.
The Bible is God’s word written for humanity. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christians' beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.
The people of God are called to live as His image-bearers together. The New Testament also speaks of the church as the body of Christ and reveals that the church exists in the world so that the ministry of Christ would be done through the body of Christ.
Matthew 16:15-19, 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; Acts 5:11-14, 6:3-6, 13:1-3, 14:23, 27; Acts 15:1-30, 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 3:16, 5:4-5, 7:17, 9:13-14, 12; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 3:8-11, 21; Ephesians 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14, 3:1-15, 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3, 21:2-3.
When people trust Jesus for salvation and for life, they are brought into a relationship with God that guarantees their eternal security. Jesus makes salvation secure. As Scripture declares that salvation is the sole work of God, it promises that once brought into relationship with God through Jesus, absolutely nothing has the ability to separate us from God.
John 10:28-29; Jude 24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:38-39.
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; 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15.
Other Important Matters of Belief
The salvation Jesus offers to mankind includes both the forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God, as well as citizenship in the Kingdom of God, where Jesus reigns as King, life is spiritually abundant, and His will and His way are embodied by His people. A person is saved both from a life of sin and to a life of righteousness. Jesus’ kingdom exists even now and will be fully realized upon His return.
Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 5:3-16.
Jesus will return to the earth in His full glory. He will judge the living and the dead. God will establish the new heavens and the new earth for His eternal kingdom.
John 14:3; Matthew 24:27; 2 Peter 3:13
God gives every Christian spiritual gifts for the purpose of building up the church. Gifts are given for the common good of the church and should be used in humility, generosity, and sacrificial love.
Ephesians 4:7-12; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Baptism is immersion in water, which is the first act of obedience of the believer. It identifies a person with the Godhead, with the death and resurrection of Jesus, and with Christ’s church, serving as a testimony to the regeneration of a person’s life by the Spirit. Communion is a symbolic act of obedience in which Christians, through the partaking of bread and fruit of the vine, celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the unity of the church in Jesus, and anticipate His second coming.
Mark 1:10; Acts 8:38; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."
(2 Timothy 1:13)
"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this, you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."
(1 Timothy 4:16)