Our Beliefs

“The Bible is our rule of faith and Christ alone is Lord.” This lyric, by Charles W. Naylor, summarizes our core belief. For practical purposes, the following provides a snapshot of our positions.

JESUS IS LORD

The singularity, the exclusivity, the divinity of the one Lord Jesus is central to who we are. He is the Bread of Life. The Water of Life. The Lamb of God. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. The one Mediator between God and humankind. The Lord of lords, the King of kings. The Son of Man. The Son of God. The Word became Flesh. The Name at which every knee shall bow. Our Ruler. Our Sovereign. Our Lord.

Acts 2:36

SUPREMACY OF SCRIPTURE

We are a people of the Bible—the Old and New Testaments, supernaturally inspired, preserved across time, cultures, and continents, delivered to us, useful for reproof and instruction, for righteousness. The Scripture is our backstop, the ultimate field of inquiry and judgment, the measure of conduct, faith, and practice. Whatever the question, whatever the test, whatever comes before us, in the end, it is the Scripture, above all other disciplines, that informs and defines us. All other sources of knowledge fall beneath its shadow.

Psalm 119:105; 2 Tim 3:14–17

The Trinity

Though difficult for the human mind to fully comprehend, our one God expresses himself in Three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each Person of the Trinity is co-equal and co-eternal, distinguishable yet indivisible, and serves a unique role to bring God glory and accomplish His purposes in the world.

Gen 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Cor 13:14

HOLINESS

The Person, the work, and the power of the Holy Spirit is fundamental to who we are as a people. We unabashedly own the truth that the Spirit can transform us, possess us, equip us, and empower us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that sanctifies us, makes us holy, sets us apart for sacred service, and seals us for eternity’s sake. It is the Spirit that convicts us of sin and enables us to overcome sin. It is the Holy Spirit that can breathe supernatural gifts into us, for Jesus’ sake. He is the Comforter promised by Jesus and the witness of our redemption

Leviticus 20:26; Gal 5:22–23

Unity

We are a people uniquely called by God to be a catalyst for Christian unity, believing that the division of the body of Christ is hell’s greatest weapon to thwart heaven’s ends in this world. We are convinced that all believers, with or without a denominational ties, belong to the family of God; we believe that hell trembles at the prospect of a people united, redeemed by the blood, and possessed by the Spirit.

Psalm 133:1; John 17:21

Gifts of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit graces each believer with a spiritual gift. This is a special ability to be used to build and benefit the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The distribution of gifts is not based on merit, longevity or gender. God has poured out his Spirit on all people, and both sons and daughters will prophesy—and teach, and shepherd the flock. Service to others through the use of spiritual gifts and talents is a fundamental spiritual discipline.

Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-30; Ephesians 4:7-13; Peter 4:7-11

Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is life as God intends it to be, his original blueprint for all of creation. Whenever and wherever God’s character and will are displayed, the Kingdom is made evident.

The Kingdom narrative is the grand and heroic story of what God has done, and will do, to bring about the fulfillment of His plan and purpose for the universe.

Mark 1:14-14; Luke 17:20–21; John 18; John 18:36-37

Kingdom Engagement

Christ expects believers to imitate Him by living according to the norms of the dawning kingdom—a kingdom where the poor would receive justice, and peace would prevail.

Biblically, sin is both personal and social. In order for the Good News of the Kingdom to be realized personal sin must be addressed through evangelism and social sin must be addressed through social action. Ministering to both physical and spiritual needs of people is not optional, but essential to Kingdom work.

Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 4:18-21; Revelation 21:1-6

Humankind

Mankind was originally created by God in His image, fell into sin through disobedience, marred God’s image, plunged all of creation into depravity and made it impossible for man to save himself.

Genesis 1:27; 3:1-24; Romans 3:23, 5:12

Salvation

Salvation is God’s free gift to humankind, but must be accepted. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in the finished work of Jesus can women, men, boys, and girls be freed from sin’s penalty. When a person turns from their self-ruled life and turns to Jesus in faith they receive salvation. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. 

Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-7

The Resurrection

Jesus Christ was physically raised from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. Believers and unbelievers will also be raised and judged at the end of the age.

Luke 24:36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42-44

Jesus Sacrificial death

Jesus Christ, God-in-the-flesh, allowed Himself to be killed on a cross as a sinless substitute for humankind. He successfully paid the price and penalty for the sins of humankind once and for all. He satisfied the wrath of God, making it possible for God and humankind to be reconciled. His sacrificial death gives believing men and women access to God and entry into the family of God.

Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 10:10-12; 1 Peter 2:24

The Church

The church is the primary instrument of God in the earth to disciple people and establish the Kingdom of God through prayer, fellowship, ministry of the Word, and service.

Matthew 16:16-18, 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-16;                  2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 10:25 

The Second Coming

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. Only the Father knows the time of Jesus’ return. We believe in the resurrection of believers, the final judgement, and all things being made right in the new heaven and new earth. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.

Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7