Our Beliefs
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the product of God leading human authors over many years to
reveal himself to humanity more completely. Since the Bible is from God, it carries with it the authority of God when used properly.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NIV)
God
It is difficult to summarize God because so much can be said. There is no other legitimate
“god” other than the God that created all that is good.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NIV)
““You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no
god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10, NIV)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. There is no way to fully comprehend how this happened,
because people are only human. He functions as the perfect revelation of God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.” (John 1:1, NIV)
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so
that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son
Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20, NIV)
Salvation
Salvation is accessible to all people, but Jesus Christ is the only one that it is accessible
through. Jesus is the only one who has reconciled creation to its Creator. This salvation is accepted through water baptism (immersion).
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the
new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and
gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself
in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the
message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God
were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be
reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17–20, NIV)
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
(Mark 16.16, NIV)
"...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (1 Pe 3:21–22, NIV)
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit was sent by God to empower the church here and abroad. The Holy Spirit
empowers the church to be transformed in this life and the next. The Holy Spirit also
empowers Christians to testify about Christ’s life and work.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not
because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us
through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:4–5, NIV)
“The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the
chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you
are reading?” Philip asked.” (Acts 8:29–30, NIV)
Human Nature
Humanity was created in the image of God. Yet, humans so often want to be a god
themselves. When we choose to be our own god, we actively oppose God. This is why we believe
all people need salvation, or reconciliation, to God.
“...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, NIV)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NIV)
Church
When Jesus came to earth, he began to bridge us with other people who are on the same
path of reconciliation. It is this group of people, the church, that by God’s grace and the
Holy Spirit’s power try to live “on earth as it is in heaven.”
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and
female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are
Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28–29, NIV)
““This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew
6:9–10, NIV)
End Times
We believe that Jesus will return to earth, though we do not believe anyone knows when
that will be. When he does return, evil will no longer exist, and the goodness of God will
reign for eternity.
“...for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:2, NIV)
““Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has
eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John
5:24, NIV)
