1. The Inspiration of Scripture
We believe that the entire Bible is inspired by God. By this we mean that all Scripture is God-breathed: holy men of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote the very words of Scripture. We believe this divine inspiration applies equally and fully to every part of its writings—historical, poetic, doctrinal, and prophetic—as they were given without error in the original manuscripts.
Scripture references: 2 Peter 1:21; Exodus 20:1; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:11–14; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Samuel 23:2; Deuteronomy 4:35
2. One God: The Trinity
We believe there is one God who has eternally revealed himself in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture references: John 10:30, 36; Galatians 4:6; Acts 2:17–18; Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Deuteronomy 4:35; John 17:5; Romans 1:20
3. The Deity and Humanity of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and took on a human body and a sinless human nature. At the same time, he retained his full deity and was truly God the Creator and truly human.
Scripture references: John 1:1–14; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 1:16–25; Luke 1:30–35; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 1:8; Titus 2:13; John 10:30, 38; John 5:17–23; Revelation 22:12; Hebrews 1:1–3; John 17:5; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:16, 19; John 14:9
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit, who lives in every true believer.
Scripture references: John 15:26; Romans 8:26–27; Ephesians 4:30; Acts 13:2; John 16:13–15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 14; 1 John 2:27; Acts 5:3–4; Ephesians 1:13–14; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Acts 1:8
5. The Creation and Fall of Humanity
We believe that humanity was created in the image of God, then sinned and consequently became subject not only to physical death but also to spiritual death—that is, separation from God. All people are born with a sinful nature.
Scripture references: John 3:3–8; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:1–3; John 1:12–13; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 53:1–3; Isaiah 64:6; 1 John 5:19; Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22; Jeremiah 13:23; Mark 7:20–23; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12; Jeremiah 17:9
6. Atonement and Salvation
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as our representative and substitute. On the basis of his shed blood, all who repent and believe in him are justified and saved.
Scripture references: Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:28; John 14:6; Romans 4:4–5; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; Colossians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:1–3; Romans 5:6–8; Galatians 3:13; Romans 3:23, 25; Colossians 1:13–14, 20–21; Colossians 2:10; Acts 13:38–39; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
7. The Resurrection, Ascension, and Intercession of Christ
We believe in the bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and in his present ministry of intercession in heaven for his saints—that is, true believers.
Scripture references: Acts 10:40–41; 1 Corinthians 15:3–6; Romans 4:25; Mark 16:9–18; John 20:11–29; Acts 1:3; Acts 2:24; Acts 3:15; 1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 1:9–11; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20–21; Ephesians 2:6; Hebrews 4:14; Luke 24:39; Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 1:3
8. Baptism
We believe that baptism should take place at the first opportunity after salvation. Its purpose is to obey the command of Jesus Christ and to declare our union with his death and resurrection.
Scripture references: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:18–21
9. The Church, the Body of Christ
We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is made up of all who personally receive Jesus Christ by faith alone as their Savior and Lord. They are born again, and the fruit of their repentance and faith is evident in their lives.
Scripture references: Ephesians 1:22–23; John 3:1–8; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 1:12; John 5:24; John 6:47; Acts 13:38–39; Romans 4:5, 24–25; Romans 5:1; 1 Corinthians 1:30; John 17:21–23; Ephesians 2:19–22; Colossians 2:10; Hebrews 10:10–14; Ephesians 5:30–31; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17
10. The Reality of Satan
We believe in the real existence and personhood of Satan.
Scripture references: Revelation 12:9; John 14:30; 1 John 5:19; Luke 13:16; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 20:10; Hebrews 2:14; Matthew 25:41; 1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11–12
11. The Return of Jesus Christ
We believe in “the blessed hope”: the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Scripture references: Philippians 3:20–21; John 14:1–3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 2:28; Titus 2:13; Matthew 24:44–46; Luke 17:26–30; Luke 18:8; Revelation 1:7–8; Revelation 22:13
12. The Resurrection and Eternity
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous, the eternal blessedness of the saved, and the conscious, everlasting punishment of the lost.
Scripture references: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; John 14:2–3; 1 Corinthians 15:35–57; Colossians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Matthew 25:41, 46; Mark 9:42–48; Luke 16:26
13. The Mission of Believers
We believe that after salvation, God regards us as strangers and pilgrims in this world, and as ambassadors and witnesses of Christ. The purpose of our lives is to make Christ known throughout the world.
Scripture references: Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; John 17:18; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Peter 2:11
14. The Power of Prayer
We believe in the power of prayer for salvation, healing, the filling of believers with the Holy Spirit, and the advancement of God's Kingdom.
Scripture references: Luke 11:1–4; Luke 22:32; James 5:14–16
15. Marriage and the Created Order
We believe that marriage, as established by God and revealed in Scripture, is a lifelong covenant union between one man and one woman. We also believe that God created every person, from birth, as male or female according to his divine design, and that these two sexes together reflect his created order.
Scripture references: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9; Ephesians 5:31–32
