Beliefs

We believe in one true living God—the Creator of all things, holy, infinitely wise, perfectly just, limitlessly powerful, and full of unfailing love. He exists in a unified relationship of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He made all things for his glory and is to be treasured above all else. Genesis 1:26-27, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 38:1-41:34, Matthew 3:13-17, John 3:16, Romans 1:19, 20, 11:33-36; 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:6

For us and our salvation, he came down from heaven and became fully human. As the eternal Son of God, he was miraculously born of a virgin, he lived a perfect life, died on the cross to atone for the sins of all people, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven where he reigns as King at the right hand of the Father and intercedes on our behalf.

Matthew 1:23-25, 28:6, Mark 14:61-62, Luke 1:27-35, 24:39, Acts 1:9, 11, 2:33, Ephesians 1:20, Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 4:4, Colossians 1:19, Hebrews 1:31, 7:26, James 2:12, I Peter 1:17, 2:22, Revelation 20:12-13

We believe that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is omnipresent from all eternity, dwells in every believer, gives every believer spiritual gift for service, and by His baptism unites all to Christ in one body. John 14:16–17; 16:7–15, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 2:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:7

We believe that all people are both tremendously valuable and inherently broken. God created us in his own image and we were intended to glorify and to have an intimate relationship with him. As a result of our sinful condition, we are spiritually dead and separated from him and from each other. We are incapable of undoing the effects of sin; therefore we stand in need of God’s saving intervention.

Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:23, 5:12-19, Ephesians 2:1-12, 1 John 1:8

We believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus are God’s mightiest acts of redemption toward humanity. Therefore, God alone has the power to restore us from our brokenness. Salvation is received by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone. We receive His gift of grace by turning from sin and placing our trust in him. Isaiah 59:2; John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 2:37-39, Romans 3:10, 11, 23; 5:1-11; 6:3,4; 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-8

We believe that the Bible is God’s word. Its main purposes are to reveal God, to equip believers to grow in spiritual maturity, and to enable them to participate in God’s mission for the world. All scripture is centered around and points to Jesus Christ. Matthew 7:24-27, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21

We believe the church is the global community of Christ-followers that continues the earthly ministry of Jesus. Therefore, the life and teachings of Jesus are the blueprints for the mission and identity of the church. The purpose of the church is to exalt God and make disciples of Jesus. He is the head of the church and calls us to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor, and justice for the oppressed.

Matthew 16:17-18, Luke 4:16-19, John 20:21, Romans 12:4-10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-27, Colossians 1:18, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47, Matthew 22:34-40, 25:31-46, 28:18- 20, Romans 12:1-21

We demonstrate our commitment to following Jesus by obeying His command to be immersed (baptized) in water to reenact the Gospel events, namely Jesus’ death and resurrection. Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47-48,16:32-33,18:7-8

Christ implemented communion as a means for His followers to regularly commemorate His sacrifice for us. We choose to observe this communion weekly when we gather together. Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:26

We believe, based on the teaching of the Scriptures, that marriage involves the union of one man and one woman in a sacred covenant until death. Though various cultures and customs have evolving definitions of marriage, it is God alone who has ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-9, Mark 10:1-12).

Though sinful sexual expression is grievous to God (as is all sin), the gospel provides redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7). We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. Hateful bullying or harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated as sinful and are to have no place among God’s people.