Theology & Doctrine

THE BIBLE: All Scripture is self-attesting and is Truth (2 Tim. 3:15-17), requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks. On this sure foundation we affirm these additional Essentials of our faith:

THE TRINITY: We believe in one God (John 17:3), the sovereign Creator (Rev 4:11) and Sustainer of all things (Heb. 1:3) infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever!

JESUS CHRIST: The living Word, became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of God the Father, He now is our High Priest and Mediator.

THE HOLY SPIRIT: Came to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He works in the life of the believer to help them mature producing fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). In addition He empowers the believer with gifts (1 Cor. 12) for ministry purposes. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption.

SALVATION: Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God's free grace (Eph. 2:8). God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life.

THE CHURCH: The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the ordinances are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving relationships are maintained. For its perfecting, the church awaits the return of Jesus Christ.

CHRIST’S RETURN: Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. (Rev. 22:20).

ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head over all the church (Eph.1:22), commanded His people to observe two ordinances, neither of which is essential to salvation, but both of which are an evidence of obedience and fellowship with the Lord. In neither of them has the unbeliever any part. Jesus commanded us to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Mat.28:19). Furthermore, The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”(1Co.11:23-26). In accordance with His command, therefore, we observe the ordinances of believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.