What We Believe
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born as a man of the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins o f all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory to sit at the right hand of God the Father, to continually pray for those who follow Him. He will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He give every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. He also is the “Sanctifier” (the one who makes us holy) as discussed under “Entire Sanctification” below. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God ’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and final authority for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. We are all guilty of acts of sin caused by living out this attitude, and need to be forgiven. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
About Salvation
Salvation is by grace alone, through Christ alone, by faith alone. God’s grace comes before our salvation, and teaches us that we are sinners (conviction), and makes us able to respond to Jesus in faith. Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self improvement or good works, but only by faith in Jesus’ finished work for us on the cross. When we turn from our sin (repentance) and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. However, we can reject God’s free gift of salvation even after receiving it by rejecting Jesus Christ and the command to follow Him. So it is necessary to maintain by God’s power, our faith in Jesus (demonstrated by obedience) in order to keep God’s gift of salvation. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Entire Sanctification
All humans have been born with a “sin nature,” an attitude of disobedience toward God. This nature is not our fault, therefore cannot be forgiven in Salvation. It must be cleansed from our heart. This “second work” of God’s grace takes place after salvation and is called “entire sanctification.” It happens when a believer surrenders his life completely to God as a “living sacrifice” (Rom . 12:1 ) and believes that God will cleanse this attitude of disobedience (sin nature) from his heart and fill us with Hiis Holy Spirit. It enables us to love God will all our heart, and to walk in His commandments with victory over sin. I Thessalonians 4:3 , 5:23-24 , Romans 12:1 , Ephesians 5:18 , II Corinthians 7: 1, Acts 2:1- 4, 15:8-9
About Eternity, Heaven & Hell
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. Those who are unrighteous will be raised again to judgment and separated from God eternally in a lake of fire called Hell. Those who are righteous through faith in Jesus will be eternally with Him in a place called heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9
A comment about our beliefs:
• In essential beliefs — we have UNITY. “There is one Body and one Spirit... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...” Eph. 4:4-6 “…command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer.” I Timothy 1:3 Some things are not up for debate. They have been settled in the Christian faith since the earliest days. Jesus is God, he really lived, died, rose again… the Bible is true… and much more.
• In non-essential beliefs — we have LIBERTY. “Accept him whose faith is weak , without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22 We won’t tell you what political party to belong to… what kind of food to eat... etc. If it’s not based on the Bible, we try to stay out of it, and leave it to each person. That’s the liberty of a child of God!
• In all our beliefs — we show CHARITY. “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph) In everything we do, the love of Jesus should be our goal. To those who agree… we show love. To those who disagree... we show love.
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born as a man of the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins o f all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory to sit at the right hand of God the Father, to continually pray for those who follow Him. He will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He give every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. He also is the “Sanctifier” (the one who makes us holy) as discussed under “Entire Sanctification” below. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God ’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and final authority for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. We are all guilty of acts of sin caused by living out this attitude, and need to be forgiven. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
About Salvation
Salvation is by grace alone, through Christ alone, by faith alone. God’s grace comes before our salvation, and teaches us that we are sinners (conviction), and makes us able to respond to Jesus in faith. Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self improvement or good works, but only by faith in Jesus’ finished work for us on the cross. When we turn from our sin (repentance) and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. However, we can reject God’s free gift of salvation even after receiving it by rejecting Jesus Christ and the command to follow Him. So it is necessary to maintain by God’s power, our faith in Jesus (demonstrated by obedience) in order to keep God’s gift of salvation. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Entire Sanctification
All humans have been born with a “sin nature,” an attitude of disobedience toward God. This nature is not our fault, therefore cannot be forgiven in Salvation. It must be cleansed from our heart. This “second work” of God’s grace takes place after salvation and is called “entire sanctification.” It happens when a believer surrenders his life completely to God as a “living sacrifice” (Rom . 12:1 ) and believes that God will cleanse this attitude of disobedience (sin nature) from his heart and fill us with Hiis Holy Spirit. It enables us to love God will all our heart, and to walk in His commandments with victory over sin. I Thessalonians 4:3 , 5:23-24 , Romans 12:1 , Ephesians 5:18 , II Corinthians 7: 1, Acts 2:1- 4, 15:8-9
About Eternity, Heaven & Hell
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. Those who are unrighteous will be raised again to judgment and separated from God eternally in a lake of fire called Hell. Those who are righteous through faith in Jesus will be eternally with Him in a place called heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9
A comment about our beliefs:
• In essential beliefs — we have UNITY. “There is one Body and one Spirit... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...” Eph. 4:4-6 “…command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer.” I Timothy 1:3 Some things are not up for debate. They have been settled in the Christian faith since the earliest days. Jesus is God, he really lived, died, rose again… the Bible is true… and much more.
• In non-essential beliefs — we have LIBERTY. “Accept him whose faith is weak , without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1,4,12,22 We won’t tell you what political party to belong to… what kind of food to eat... etc. If it’s not based on the Bible, we try to stay out of it, and leave it to each person. That’s the liberty of a child of God!
• In all our beliefs — we show CHARITY. “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph) In everything we do, the love of Jesus should be our goal. To those who agree… we show love. To those who disagree... we show love.
