We recognize that the Bible contains many types and styles of writing (various forms of communication), including literal, moral, allegorical, songs, poetic, etc. We believe the only guide to interpreting Scripture is by Scripture itself. Verses must be taken in context, and one must be careful not to add or take away from what the text says.
We believe that the 66 books (as original autographs) of The Bible are the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God, and The Bible is the final authority on Truth. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 10:35).
We believe that The Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures. (Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:3-4, 21).
Creation is described as transpiring over six days, as confirmed in Scripture within the Ten Commandments regarding the Sabbath day of rest. Here, God commands us to work six days and rest on the seventh day to remember God’s creation. (Exodus 20:11 NKJV).
God created the Heavens and Earth and everything in them in six days and rested on the seventh day.
As such, the book of Genesis is confirmed as literal and historical, “the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created.” (Gen 2:4 NKJV).
Adam and Eve. Likewise, we believe Adam was the first human and Eve the first woman (both directly created by God) in His image as a triune soul: body, mind, and soul. The image of God is Spirit, not physical appearances. Since original sin, the Spirit is what died the day they sinned. They were clothed in light and suddenly found themselves naked. That is what being born-again is all about: receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and becoming an Image Bearer of God again.
The global flood of Noah, like the accounts of Adam and Eve, are historical events that cannot be divorced from Scriptural doctrine as allegorical but are historical and literal. We believe such literal historical events are foundational to the Christian faith because interpreting the text otherwise causes significant disunity in Scripture. The global flood was sent to destroy The Nephilim bloodline (an abomination of fallen angels and human women) and the violent, evil human beings behind it. (Genesis 4)
Despite the importance of literal events recorded in The Bible, such as Creation, we fully recognize and emphasize that these are secondary issues and are not salvation-related matters. One can only be saved by grace, through faith, by giving one’s life to Jesus Christ as Savior– regardless of any other belief regarding history or the age of the earth. Christians might disagree on many aspects of secondary issues, but some areas are non-negotiable, which includes Jesus as Savior.
We believe that the genealogies of The Bible (Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38) may be used to roughly calculate the lifespans of the patriarch, which can also be used to approximate the age of the earth (and the universe created on the 1st day). The age of the earth, whatever persuasion you might find correct, is not a salvation matter, so many Christians disagree.
Such genealogical calculations find the universe and earth approximately 6,000 years young.
We believe there is one God who eternally exists as three separate persons as The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that all things were created by Him and for Him. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:21-22, Matthew 28:19, Colossians 1:16).
We believe that God the Father is an infinite, eternal, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2, 102:27; John 3:16, 4:24; I Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3).
We believe that God the Son condescended Himself and became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. That He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life (for He was without sin), died a substitutionary death for all mankind, was raised from the dead on Sunday after being in the tomb three days and three nights (likely a midday Thursday crucifixion), ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, possessing two distinct natures which are co-joined in one person; was physically resurrected in the same body that was buried in the tomb by the power of the Holy Spirit; that Jesus Christ physically ascended back to the right hand of God the Father in heaven. (John 1:1, 14, Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 10:12-13).
We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit always testifies of Jesus and never Himself. Ultimately, we believe the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, and seals believers in the Lord Jesus Christ eternally. Once saved, always saved. The Spirit empowers us to live as His witnesses, who are no longer under the Law but redeemed by Christ. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11).
We believe that God created all things and life in the beginning. He created males and females differently as equals but to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between one man and one woman as the family’s foundation and as the basic structure of human society. He created males and females equal in value, dignity, and worth. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6; John 4:16-18; Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 5:11, 6:9-11,18-20, 7:1-3,8-9; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7; 5:22-6:4 ; I Timothy 1:9-11;3:1-7).
We believe that the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus and being born-again through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
“…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…” (1 Peter 1:23)
Matthew 25:46: “… the righteous into life eternal.”
Matthew 7:14: “For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Romans 6:22: “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.“
Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve, all people are sinners by nature and in need of a Savior, and Jesus is the only Savior from sin. Salvation is found through Him by grace and faith alone. We believe that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved eternally. Jesus does not cover our sins but sends the Holy Spirit, which removes sin and imputes salvation. Once saved, you are an all-new creation, and your salvation is eternally secure. (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:18-19, Matthew 1:21, 1 John 4:14, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9).
We believe there is one church, the Body of Christ, consisting of men and women from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. We believe that each local congregation is an expression of that universal church. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Revelation 5:9, Acts 2:42-47).
We believe in the ordinances of Baptism & Communion as the Lord Jesus Christ instituted for the church as water baptism of believers and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; I Corinthians 11:23-26). Baptism is not required for salvation but is an outward expression of an inward condition. It is announcing to the world your decision to accept Jesus as Lord!
We believe that the universal Church is an organic body composed of all believers, both living and dead, who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Water baptism is not necessary for salvation and cannot remove sins, but it is a picture of the salvation already received by the believer. We believe the only proper basis of Christian fellowship is Christ’s sacrificial agape love, more significant than any secondary differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves, Christians.
We believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Scripture are available and active in His church today. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11).
We believe in the second coming of Jesus as not yet occurred, when Jesus will sit upon the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob (Israel), and the entire cosmos, forever. (Revelation 20:1-6, Luke 1:31-33, Isaiah 9:6-7). We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which is His personal, visible return to Earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless separation of the wicked. (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:11-15).
We believe The church shall be “Raptured” or delivered from the “hour of trial” which has not yet occurred and may happen at any moment. At the Rapture all believers who dwell on the earth will be “caught up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Revelation 3:10).
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice, falling short of God’s standard and breaking His commandments – and therefore are under God’s righteous judgment.
One does not go to hell because of sin but because of rejecting the gift of salvation found only in Jesus. Rejecting God’s Grace is the only unforgivable sin!
Because Jesus died for the world’s sins, including yours! The invitation to believe and accept the Grace of Jesus is open to all. Whoever desires may come unto Jesus for new life and the forgiveness of all their sins: past, present, and future. We believe that salvation is initiated, attained, and procured by God through the death of Christ on the Cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead. The salvation Christ offers is available to all and is received freely by grace alone and through faith in Christ alone, apart from good works, thereby justifying and indwelling the believer. (Matthew 11:28; John 3:16; Acts 3:19, 20:21; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; I John 2:2; Revelation 22:17).
We believe in the resurrection of the dead. Believers will be raised to life, and unbelievers to shame and everlasting destruction in Hell. (Daniel 12:2, John 5:25-29, Revelation 21:1-22:5). This everlasting destruction is not an eternal torment but a “second death.” (John 3:16; Rev 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, 21:8)
We believe in a literal Heaven & Hell and that all those who place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord. Those who reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord by total destruction (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:3, 5:22, 18:9, 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 12:5; John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; I Peter 1:4; Revelation 14:10-11, 20:11-15).
We believe Satan is real. He is cunning and powerful enough to deceive, tempt, kill, steal, and destroy. However, his power is limited by God to only that which God permits. We believe Satan was defeated positionally at the Cross of Christ and will be defeated practically at Christ’s Second Coming.
We believe those who reject and do not personally trust in and receive the saving work of Christ by faith will be forever separated from God in everlasting punishment called the second death.
Matthew 25:41: “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…” Note: the PLACE Hell has eternal fire prepared for the Devil— not prepared for accursed people.
Matthew 25:45-46: “These (accursed people) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
2 Thessalonians 1:9: “These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…”
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 10:28: “…and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
Rom 6:23: “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Satan, The Beasts, The False Prophet (The Anti-Christ), those that take the number of The Beast, and the fallen angels will burn in Hellfire for eternity (everlasting) because these are immortal (cannot die) evil beings. Those people who reject Grace (The Holy Spirit) remain mortal and will be destroyed in Hell.
Rev 20:10 “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are] also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Note: does NOT apply to unrepentant people.
Those who accept Christ and believe shall be given Grace of everlasting blessedness, reward, and satisfaction and life. The choice is eternal life with God or eternal death and separation from God. Today is the day to decide because you are not promised tomorrow.