Faith and values

Faith: What we believe about...

God

We believe, as the Bible says, that God exists in three equally divine and sinless persons (Father, Son and Spirit) who execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and salvation

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men and women, that He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and hell all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, born of a virgin. We believe that He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and that His teachings are true. He died in our place, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where He now represents us before the Father, from where He will one day visibly return to earth.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict humanity concerning sin, right living, and judgment. We believe that He draws us to Christ, gives us new life, sanctifies us (sets us apart), and empowers us. God’s Spirit lives in all who believe in Christ, and He continually helps, teaches and guides us. His present work includes the distribution and operation of spiritual gifts to fortify the Body of Christ.

the new birth of the believer

We believe that human beings are created by God in His own image; that they sin and thereby incur physical, spiritual and eternal death, which is separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature and are under condemnation because they are sinners by choice. Those who repent and turn from sin to follow Jesus Christ as Savior are “born again” spiritually, delivered from condemnation and receive new and eternal life.

Scripture

2 Tim 3:16 (ESV) tells us that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” By this, we believe the Bible is the Word of God. It is without error, written under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, and is the final authority in all we believe and do.

the church

The church is both universal (world-wide) and local, and is a living spiritual body of which Jesus is the head and all believers are members, and that because of this, every believer should seek to connect with a local body of believers. The local church consists of a group of believers in Jesus Christ who have each been baptized on a credible profession of faith, and are committed to worship, work, and fellowship together. God has entrusted the members of the local church with the primary task of offering the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, both in word and deed.

humanity

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally disabled, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.

The return of Christ

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will visibly return to earth, in person, to establish His Kingdom. At that time our bodies will be resurrected, all will be judged, the righteous will enjoy eternal happiness and the wicked will suffer endlessly.

values

As God’s faithful people, we:

Worship Him with all we are and have as our highest purpose, deepest joy, and most loyal response.
Devote ourselves to a distinct way of life together, led by the Holy Spirit.
Give ourselves away for His kingdom under the authority of Jesus, our supreme King.
Reveal Christ’s Incarnational Presence in the world.
Listen for His voice, look for His activity, and respond in prompt, joyful obedience.
Recognize and receive His grace in all humility, experiencing in it transformation of the heart.