What We Believe

The Scriptures

We believe that "all Scriptureis given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the wholeBible is inspired, in that holy men of God "were moved by the HolySpirit" (2 Peter 1:21) towrite the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspirationextends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in theoriginal manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in those originalmanuscripts is, therefore, without error. We believe that all Scripture centersaround the Lord Jesus Christ in His person, work, and in His first and secondcoming. Therefore, no portion of the Old Testament is properly read orunderstood until it leads to Christ. We also believe that all Scripture was designedfor our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16)

The Triune Godhead

We believe in the one true andliving God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He isinfinite, eternal, and unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son,and Holy Spirit.

God the Father: God, as Father, reigns over all of His universe withprovidential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise.He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those whohave become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them intothe Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15: 24; Ephesians 4:6)

God the Son: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son ofGod, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the HolySpirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeemsinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as asinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’srighteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the accomplishment of thatredemption and justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, Heascended to the right hand of His Father, where He intercedes on behalf ofthose who trust Him. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 8:3)

God the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is the DivinePerson who convicts the world of sin (righteousness and judgment); that Healone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (orplaces) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ;that He indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption,bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and fills (controls) those who are yieldingto Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling HolySpirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit tothe glory of God. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18)