core values & doctrine
our core values
- To honor the dignity of each individual as an image-bearer of God
- To uphold personal integrity
- To live a life of faith
- To honor relationships and build community
- To live in obedience to the Holy Spirit�s leading
doctrine
God the Father
We believe in one (Deuteronomy 6:4)
almighty God (Genesis 17:1), Creator of all things visible and invisible
(Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2). Within the nature of the one true God, there are
three eternal, distinct Persons: the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), the Son
(Colossians 1:16), and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). These three
persons are the one God who has dwelt in community with Himself from
eternity.
Jesus Christ the Son of God
We believe in Jesus
Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary, maintaining both full humanity and full divinity (John
1:1, 2, 4, 14; Luke 1:35). During His time on earth, He lived in obedience to
the Father and was fully without sin (1 Peter 2:21-22). In order to offer
redemption from sins, He suffered under Pontius Pilate and was crucified, died
and was buried. On the third day He rose from the dead. He then ascended into
heaven (Acts 1:9), where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father
(Romans 8:34) and will judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5).
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who
was promised by Jesus Christ to be a counselor forever (John 14:16), as well as
a teacher and a comforter, to those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:26;
Luke 12:12; Acts 1:2). He is given to followers of Christ as the indwelling
presence of God which makes them spiritually alive (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians
3:6) and as a seal which guarantees redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy
Spirit is also active in the world, convicting people of sin and disbelief
(John 16:8-11).
Sin
We believe that humans were created in the
image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), but that through the sin of Adam and Eve the
race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. All people
are by nature evil, enslaved to sin, and unable to remedy their lost condition
(Romans 3:10-23). The ultimate punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23).
Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins
We believe that
God has a redemptive plan for the human race. God sent His only begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, to provide a means of escape. Through His death and resurrection,
Jesus made the sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26-27) which provided for our sins to be
forgiven, if we confess Him as Lord and believe on Him for life (Romans
10:9-10). It is by God's grace we are rescued from sin, through faith, and not
by good deeds we do (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Church and Fellowship
We believe that the church,
which is the body of Christ (Romans 12:1-13; Ephesians 1:22, 23), is a
spiritual organism made up of all who follow Jesus. We believe that the church
is established in local communities, and that these communities should meet on
a regular basis to worship, study Scripture and provide encouragement (Hebrews
10:24-25). Believers in the local church should provide for each other's needs
and preach the gospel to the surrounding world (Acts 2:42-47; Matthew
28:19-20).
Baptism and Communion
We recognize the baptisms of
those who believe, whether received as an infant or after coming to faith in
Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 18:8). We believe that baptism and communion are
given to the church as a testimony to the world of salvation through Christ (1
Corinthians 11:23-26).
The Return of Christ
Christ will return to earth to
bring those who are His to heaven to dwell with Him forever (1 Thessalonians
4:16-5:2).