1. Authority of Scripture – We believe that the entire Bible is God’s Word to us, and it is the one sure foundation on which we base all of our beliefs. All of the Bible is without error and is completely reliable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the follower of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Nature of God. There is only one God and that God eternally exists in three persons: Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. All that exists Has been created by God and He alone is worthy of our worship and true devotion. Luke 3:22, Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14, Rev. 15:3-4
Jesus is fully God and fully human, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose from death on the third day. After He showed His resurrected body to His followers, He ascended to heaven to be seated next to the Father, where He reigns forever as our high priest. At the appointed time, He will return to earth to gather His church to take them all to heaven with Him. John 1:1-3, John 1:14, Matt. 1:18-23, John 19:16-30, 2 Cor. 5:21, Luke 24:36-43, Heb. 7:24-26, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 20:1-6, Titus 2:12-13
The Holy Spirit is the presence of God that exists in the heart of every follower of Jesus. He convicts all people of their sinfulness, giving guidance and instruction to all who will accept it. He comforts those who suffer, He strengthens the weak, helps people understand the Bible, and gives power to our prayers. The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in us can be seen through our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. John 16:7-15, 1 Cor. 12:13, Rom. 8:9 & 26, Eph. 3:16, Acts 1:8, Gal. 5:22-23, John 14:16-17 & 26, 2 Cor. 3:17
3. Human Nature. God created people with the ability to choose right from wrong so that we might choose to have a relationship with Him. All people created by God have rebelled against God by choosing to not do what God has told us to do and this is called sin. It is this sin that separates us from the holy and perfect God. All who die in their sin will be eternally separated from God in hell. Gen. 1:26-28, Gen. 3:1-24, Rom. 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, John 3:3-6
4. Salvation & Eternal Life. The only way to be forgiven of our sin and restore relationship with God is by accepting Jesus Christ as our savior. All who believe Him in their hearts and confess Him as Lord will become His adopted children, be saved from hell and spend eternity with God in heaven. This grace is a free gift of God and cannot be obtained through any effort of ours. John 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7, John 1:12, Rom 8:15-17, 10:9-10
5. Ordinances. Jesus gave both baptism and communion by His command and by His example. There are 2 commands of Jesus that are above all others and on which all of the rest of the Bible commands are based. “37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40). All who wish to follow Jesus will obey these commands. Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:3-4, 1 Cor. 11:23-29