Essential Beliefs

In ESSENTIAL BELIEFS, we have UNITY and in NONESSENTIAL BELIEFS, we have LIBERTY. In ALL OUR BELIEFS, we demonstrate CHARITY.

ESSENTIAL BELIEFS

1. We believe that God is one, sovereign and eternal, existing as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and is the Creator of all life and the Benefactor of our faith. (Deuteronomy 32:39; Revelation 1:8; I Corinthians 8:6; Matthew 1:23; Acts 5:3-4; Colossians 1:16-18)

2. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, our Savior, Mediator and Lord (John 3:16; I John 4:15; I Timothy 2:5), who was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20); was born of a virgin (Luke 1:34-35); lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:1); died a substitutionary death (II Corinthians 5:21); rose bodily on the third day (I Corinthians 15:3-4; Luke 24:39); and ascended to the right hand of God (Acts 2:32-33).

3. We believe that the Holy Spirit is sent to convict us of sin; to guide us into all things pertaining to truth and righteousness; to give spiritual gifts to the Church to enable its ministry; and to dwell within us, enabling us to live a holy life. (John 16:8; Ephesians 4:11; I Corinthians 12; Acts 11:16)

4. We believe the Holy Bible (consisting of both the Old and New Testaments) is the infallible and inspired Word of God, containing all truth. (II Timothy 3:15-16; II Peter 1:21)

5. We believe in the faith given to the Apostles by our Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Scriptures and summarized in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. (Hebrews 11:6)

6. We believe that salvation from sin comes by grace through faith in the atoning, vicarious sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross for our sins. It is by grace through faith in Christ that we are forgiven our sins, made right with God (justified), and given a new life in Christ.(Romans 3:21-25; 10:9-10; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:4-5,8; I John 5:11-12) We reject any attempt to make our new life in God through Jesus Christ dependent on works, forms, traditions or the ways of men.

7. We believe the Church is the fellowship of true believers under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, where the Word of God is preached and the sacraments are administered. (Ephesians 1:22)

8. We believe the Holy Sacraments ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:19; Matthew 26:26-28)

Agreement with these eight "essentials" is expected of everyone who joins this Church. But outside of these eight essentials and the clear mandates of Scripture (see Essential Belief 4, above), we have freedom. If Scripture does not speak clearly on a matter, we recognize the issue as "disputable" and hold that it should not be a cause for division in the church. Members may differ on nonessential beliefs so long as they do so in love and "endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

For additional and nonessential belief discussion, Click Here. If you desire more information or clarification, please contact the Pastor or one of the Elders.