Statement of Faith THE HOLY SCRIPTURES Ephesians 4:14-15 tells us that we are not to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine, but we are to grow up in Him, and speak the truth in love. We believe the Scriptures teach us the TRUTH, and as such, this expression of our statement of faith is communicated with a heart to be clear and is spoken from a position of love—for Jesus, for His Word, and for people. Sin is defined in the New Testament as “missing the mark” (GK: Hamartia). If we miss the mark of Bible understanding and our lives are out of alignment with His Word, His grace is provided in Jesus—we can turn to Him in repentance and surrender, ask His forgiveness and receive His strength to walk in a new way according to His Word. We believe the Bible is God-inspired and is without error in its origin. In all matters of faith and practice the Bible is our final authority, according to our best reasonable effort to determine its accurate interpretation. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, John 10:35) • THE ETERNAL GODHEAD We believe in the one true God, eternally existent Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14) • THE FALL OF MAN We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that by voluntary disobedience he fell from perfection (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-21) • OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST We believe in the pre-existence, incarnation, virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, ascension to Heaven, and the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-2, 14, Philippians 2:6-11; Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 4:15; Acts 2:22-24; Hebrews 9:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, Acts 1:9) • THE PLAN OF SALVATION We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, signing the pardon of all who believe on Him. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8) • SALVATION THROUGH GRACE We believe that we have no righteousness and must come to God pleading the righteousness of Christ. (Ephesians 2:8) • REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE We believe that upon sincere repentance and a whole-hearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God. (1 John 1:9) • THE NEW BIRTH We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a very real one. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20) • WATER BAPTISM We believe that Jesus commanded believers to be water baptized for the remission of sins. Water Baptism does not “get you saved” but our response to our Lord’s command is vital. The benefits of Water Baptism for a believer are many, including increased power over the old sin nature and temptation, as well as being an outward expression of the inward work done by Christ Jesus at salvation. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:9-13, Acts 19:2-6, Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 20:21, Hebrews 10:22) • BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power; and that this baptism is after the same manner as in Bible days. This baptism is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth in Christ. The gift of speaking in tongues is the usual, but not only, accompanying sign of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4,38; Acts 10:45-46; Acts 11:14-16; Acts 15:7-9; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22, Romans 15:16) • DAILY CHRISTIAN LIVING We believe that it is the will of God that we be sanctified daily, growing constantly in the faith. (Hebrews 6:1) • THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon the Christian and that we should demonstrate spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life. We believe the fruit of the Spirit in our lives will be expressed in the believer’s growth in living a life of righteous works as an expression of one’s faith. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Galatians 5:22) • DIVINE HEALING We believe that divine healing is an expression of the power of Jesus to heal the physically sick, in answer to the prayer of faith. We pray in faith; however, we do not always see specific and tangible answers to our prayers for healing. We do not demand from our loving God. We pray persistently in faith and we accept His loving answers. We also believe it is no spiritual conflict of faith for God to use physicians and medicines in the healing process. (Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-16) THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE We believe that it is the will of God that we walk in the Spirit daily. The Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to ever grow to be more like Jesus (sanctification). (Ephesians 4:30-32) • THE COMING AGAIN OF CHRIST We believe in the literal return of Christ, which is personal and imminent. We do not know the “when” of His return, and therefore we choose to grow in Christ daily and ready ourselves for His coming again. ) 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Matthew 25:1-13) • CHURCH INVOLVEMENT We believe Christians are to identify themselves with the visible body of Christ. (Acts 16:5, Hebrews 10:25) • CIVIL GOVERNMENT We believe that rulers should be upheld, prayed for, obeyed, and respected at all times except in things opposed to the will and Word of God. Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the governmental head of His Church and our obedience to Him cannot be compromised by any other governmental authority. (Romans 13:1-5, Acts 5:29, Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 1:18) • THE FINAL JUDGMENT We believe that all shall stand some day before the judgment seat of God, and there receive eternal life or death. (2 Corinthians 5:10) • HEAVEN We believe that Heaven is the glorious eternal home of born-again believers. (John 14:1-3, Revelation 7:15-17) • HELL We believe that hell is the place of eternal torment for all who reject Christ as the Savior. (Revelation 20:10, 15) • EVANGELISM We believe that evangelism is a vital priority ministry for Christians. It is not the heart of God to see any go to hell, so He is giving time for Christians to evangelize and for unbelievers to repent and come into relationship with our Loving God who sent His Son Jesus to die for us, and save us by His grace. (John 3:16-17, James 5:20, 2 Peter 3:9) • MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH We believe the practice of our Christian faith includes, but is not limited to, teaching, preaching, ordination of ministers and all other forms of Christian education ministries (Acts 5:42, 10:42, Proverbs 22:6); counseling and ministry (Acts 20:31); evangelism and ministry outreach ((Mark 16:15) the edifying and strengthening of the Church (Ephesians 4:11-13); and all other aspects of obedience to the Bible as inseparable and indistinguishable ministries of the Church. This may include any aspect of service to God and to people of any age, in any location, in any realm: spirit, soul, or body. (Proverbs 22:6, Mark 10:14, James 1:27 1 Timothy 5:3-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23). These ministries include, but are not limited to: worship, Bible teaching and training; Evangelism activities, Childcare and training; Recreational Activities; Media and Arts activities; and other activities, events, or programs as the Word of God directs and the Spirit of God leads. • TITHES AND OFFERINGS We believe that the method ordained of God for the support and spread of His cause is by believers giving tithes and free-will offerings. (Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 9:7) • HUMAN SEXUALITY We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.  We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, Genesis 26:88-9, Leviticus 18:1-30, Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4.)  We believe that the Scripture teaches that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 5:22-23). • MARRIAGE IS GOD-ORDAINED The Creator made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  (Matthew 19:4-5). Marriage is to be an exclusive relationship, a lifelong faithful union between a man and a woman. This relationship between a husband and wife should parallel the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:23-30). • SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. We seek to uphold and preserve the sanctity of all human life (Job 3:16, Psalms 51:5; Psalms 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 49:1,5; Jeremiah 20:15-18; Luke 1:44) Any omissions from this Statement of Faith are not necessarily an indication of denial of any propositions or beliefs, such as the creation of the universe by God, etc.