The Bible consists of 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, and is God's Word to all men. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit and is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is completely free of error in the original writings.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, John 17:17, Psalms 119:105)
There is one God; eternal, almighty, infinite in holiness and all his other perfections. He is the creator and ruler of the universe. He exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
(Genesis 1:1-2,26-27,3:22, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matther 28:19-20, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Peter 1:2)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that he might reveal God, fufill prophecy and redeem sinful man. Because He lived a sinless human life, His death on the cross (a subitionary sacrifice) was the only satisfactory way for sinful man to be reconciled to a perfect God. We believe our redemption and salvation are guaranteed by His literal physical resurrection from the dead and that He is the only means of salvation.
(John 1:1-5,14,18, Isaiah 7:6, Luke 1:35, I Timothy 2:5, Romans 3:24-26, 4:25, Titus 2:13)
God the Holy Spirit is a person. He makes men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He dwells in all who believe in Jesus. From the moment of belief in the Son, the Spirit baptizes believers into the body, seals them for salvation, regenerates them to new life, bestows spiritual gifts on each one, and is fully present to continually fill (control, empower and guide) His own.
(John 16:7-11, Johm 3:8, I Corinthians 12:4-11,13, John 14:16-17, Ephesians 4:30, 5:18, I Thessalonians 5:19)
Man was created in the image of God, to be like him in character. Man fell into sin, and as a result God's image is marred and all men and women are born seperated from God, with a predisposition to disobedience. A reunion called salvation is possible only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from works, through regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:26, 3:1-24, Romans 3:10-18, 23, 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by doing good works, we believe man is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for sin. We believe all true believers, elect of God, once saved, are kept secure forever.
(Matthew 16:18, 28: 19-20, Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11-13, I Corinthians 12:13,10:32)
The Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism, made up of all persons who have trusted Jesus Christ for salvation in the present age.We believe the Church began at Pentecost, is distinct from Israel and that a beliver is placed into the church by the baptizing works of the Holy Spirit. All members of the Universal Church are to be fully engaged in a local church where they can be nurtured and equipped for the work of ministry.
(Matthew 16:18, 28: 19-20, Ephesians 1:22-23, 11-13, I Corinthians 12:13, 10:32)
Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper, both of which are to be observed by believers until he returns.
We believe by water baptism, a believer publicly identifies with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. We believe that infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord, but should not be baptized until they can personally articulate their faith and the purpose of baptism.
We believe the Lord's Supper is a memorial of Chirts's death and expression of our faith in His future coming that is to be continually practiced by all believers. We believe every Christian has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord's Supper, but that participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination.
(Matthew 28:19-20, I Corinthians 11:23-26)