I. The Word of God

  • Divine Authority & Accuracy: We believe in the absolute authority and accuracy of God’s word, both of the Old and the New Testaments. We believe in its plenary and verbal inspiration within the original manuscripts.

    • Scripture: Matthew 5:18, 22:32; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21

  • Living, Active, and Sufficient: We believe that faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of God. God’s word is living and active, serving as the standard by which everything and everyone is to be judged. Furthermore, we believe that God’s word is completely sufficient as our rule of faith and practice.

    • Scripture: John 12:48; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12-13; Matthew 4:4; Colossians 3:17; Jude 3

II. The Godhead (The Trinity)

We believe in one God: Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of all things, Who is perfect in all divine attributes, and Who eternally subsists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

  • Scripture: Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:8, 45:21, 48:11; Mark 1:9-11; 1 John 4:8; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14

1. God the Father

We believe in God the Father.

  • Scripture: Genesis 1:1; John 17:3; Acts 17:24-28; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 11:3

2. God the Son (Jesus Christ)

We believe in God the Son. Jesus Christ is the eternal and only begotten Son of God. He is fully human and fully divine—God of God, Light of Light, True God of True God—and the only mediator between God and man.

  • Incarnation: For us, and for our salvation, He came down from Heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate of the Virgin, Mary.

  • Crucifixion & Burial: For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, was buried, and descended into Hades.

  • Resurrection & Ascension: On the third day He rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures, and appeared to both men and women. Afterward, He ascended into Heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

  • Return & Judgment: From there He will come again, in glory, to both resurrect and judge the living and the dead.

    • Scripture: Genesis 1:26; John 1:1-3, 9, 14, 3:19, 5:18, 8:12, 58, 12:27, 19:7, 20:28, 31; Colossians 1:14-19, 2:9, 3:1-4; Hebrews 1:3-12, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2; 1 John 5:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 1:20, 12:40; Luke 1:35, 23; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11a, 8:9; 1 Peter 2:21-24, 3:22; Acts 1:9-11, 2:23-31; Romans 10:6-7; Ephesians 4:8-9; Mark 16:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 1:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15

3. God the Holy Spirit

We believe in God the Holy Spirit. He is the Giver of Life, Who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He teaches, sanctifies, seals, comforts and indwells every Christian. Together with the Father and Son He is to be worshipped and glorified.

  • Scripture: Genesis 1:2; John 6:63, 14:26, 16:7-15; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:11, 26-27; Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 2:27, 3:24; Exodus 34:14; 1 Chronicles 16:23-26

III. Humanity & Salvation

  • The Human Condition: We believe that mankind is created in the image and likeness of God. However, because of sin, we have incurred both physical and spiritual death. Apart from Christ we are lost; salvation is found only in Him.

    • Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1-3, 9:6; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23, 5:12; James 3:9

  • The Plan of Salvation: We believe that in order to be saved we must:

    1. Hear the word of God

    2. Believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God

    3. Repent of our sins

    4. Confess Jesus as Lord

    5. Be baptized (immersed) in water for the remission of sins

    • We believe that these items are not simply “works of men,” for Scripture presents each one as the “work of God.” Those who are obedient are added to the Church, having put on Christ.

    • Scripture: Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; John 3:36, 6:28-29, 44-45; Acts 2:38, 8:36-38, 11:17-18, 16:31, 17:30; Romans 10:9-10, 17; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 2:1-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 5:9, 11:6; 1 Peter 3:21

  • Christian Perseverance: We believe one must remain faithful, for it is possible to fall away.

    • Scripture: John 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 9:22-10:12; Galatians 5:1-4; Hebrews 2:1-3a, 3:7-12, 6:4-9, 10:23-31; James 5:19-20; 2 Peter 1:3-10, 2:1; Jude 4-5; Revelation 2:5, 3:5, 15-16

IV. The Church & New Testament Worship

1. The Global Body & Local Congregations

  • The Church: Founded on the first day of Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Christ is the Head of the Church, which is His body.

  • Local Churches: A company of Christians connected for worship, work, fellowship and discipline.

    • Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, 18:15-17; Acts 2:14-47; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 12:18-29

2. New Testament Worship Pattern

We believe that we should worship God according to the pattern and examples provided in the New Testament. Upon the first day of each week (Sunday), our corporate worship includes:

  • The Lord’s Supper: Partaking of communion weekly.

  • Singing: Offering vocal praises to God (a cappella).

  • Giving: Contributing financially as we have prospered.

  • Preaching: Teaching and proclaiming God’s word.

  • Prayer: Approaching God collectively.

    • Scripture: Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34, 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; John 14:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

3. Biblical Leadership Architecture

We believe that we should strive to be organized exactly as New Testament churches were, appointed with local church officers:

  • Elders (Spiritual overseers)

  • Deacons (Servant leaders)

    • Scripture: Acts 14:21-23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9

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