Section 1.  THE SCRIPTURES

    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16).

     We believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired written Word of God.  It is an essential and infallible self-disclosure of God to mankind.  The Bible contains everything that man needs for life and godliness.  It convicts man of his sin and separation from God.  It leads unregenerate man to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and through its study and application is a transforming agent for every believer to become refashioned in the image of Christ.

    The Scriptures are complete in them and may not be changed or altered in any way, nor are they subject to private interpretation.  (II Peter 1:20).  Its authority cannot be nullified through tradition or extra-biblical revelation.

(back to top)

Section 2.  GOD

    There is one God who is infinite, eternal, almighty and invisible.  Although He has revealed Himself to man in many ways (Romans 1:20), God does not try to prove or explain His existence.  He simply requires that by faith we believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6).  His attributes include omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotence (all-powerful), and omnipresence (all-present).

    God expresses His personhood through a triune Godhead consisting of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14).  Each of them is co-existent, co-eternal, co-equal, yet each of them has a distinct personality and each fulfills a distinct purpose in creation and redemption while still working in harmony together.

    One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the foundation for the Christian faith.

(back to top)

Section 3.  JESUS CHRIST

     Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God was the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14).  He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and was perfect in all His ways, living a completely obedient and sinless life.  Jesus is fully God and fully man, the perfect God-Man.  He was always with God and is God.  He was before all things, and through Him all things came into being and were created.  He holds all things together by the Word of His power.  He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation, and in Him dells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 1:5, 2:9).  He is the only Savior for the sins of mankind, having died a vicarious death at Calvary.  He rose bodily from the grave, victorious over the powers of sin and death.  He ascended into heaven and sits at God’s right hand where He intercedes for His people and rules as Lord over all.  He is the Head of His Body, the Church, and is worthy of all praise, glory, and honor. 

(back to top)

Section 4.  MAN

    God created man, male and female, in His image and likeness as the highest order and crown of His creation.  Tempted by Satan, man sinned and rebelled against God, thereby separating himself from God’s grace and fellowship and marring the image in which he was created.  Only through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the perfect God-man, can man be restored to relationship with God and recreated in His image a likeness.

    Apart from the salvation that is in Christ, all men regardless of their character or accomplishments are fallen and sinful in nature and are subject to God’s divine wrath.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  But through salvation in Christ redeemed mankind becomes sons of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17). 

(back to top)

Section 5.  THE GOSPEL

    The Gospel is very simple.  “Christ die for our sins according to the Scriptures, and…He was buried and…He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4).  The gospel is the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…(Romans 1:16).  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only means that God provided for man to have eternal life and be restored to a right relationship with Him. 

(back to top)

Section 6.  WATER BAPTISM 

    Scripture commands that all believers repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Water baptism is an act of faith that identifies each believer with Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.  Each facet of water baptism illustrates the believer’s identification with the redemptive work of Christ.  Being submerged under the water portrays the believer being raised in the newness of life in the likeness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

     A disciple of Jesus Christ should not consider water baptism optional.  Those who are serious about serving God wholeheartedly will embrace the command to be baptized as well as the other statutes, ordinances and teachings of Christ. 

(back to top)

Section 7.  HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM

    In water baptism the believer is baptized into Christ and His Body, however, Jesus promises to baptize us with the Holy Spirit to empower us to be His witnesses and accomplish the supernatural ministry and mission of the Church (Matthew 3:11).  The Holy Spirit desires to fill each believer and impart His supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body and the work of the ministry in the world (Acts 1:8).  Speaking in tongues is one evidence that one has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  We believe that all the gifts of the Spirit as taught in I Corinthians 12:4-10 are in operation in the Church today.  We consider these gifts essential tools to accomplish the mission of the Church in the world today. 

(back to top)

Section 8.  THE CHURCH

Section 8a.  THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

    The word church simply means “the called out ones.”  Every person who has responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ, repented of his sins, and placed his faith and trust for salvation in the person of Jesus Christ becomes a member of the company of saints who have been called out of the darkness of the world and into the marvelous light of the kingdom of God (Peter 2:9).

    The church is not a religious institution or organization, but a living organism whose sole purpose is to worship and glorify God while faithfully serving the purpose of God on earth. 

(back to top)

Section 8b.  THE LOCAL CHURCH

    All members of the Universal Church need to be active and committed members of a local church.  Only in this setting can the reality of the New Covenant be experienced so richly and fully.  The local church provides the believers the opportunity to be trained and equipped to serve through exposure to the five fold ministries that the ascended Christ has bestowed upon the Church (Ephesians 4:11).

    The local church also provides the proper setting for meaningful relationships to be cultivated and built.  Through close relationships effective ministry takes place and the needs of people’s lives are met.

    Pastoral care and leadership are further indispensable benefits of local church membership.  It is God’s loving intent to have His precious flock tended and protected by trained and caring men whom He has anointed and gifted for such vital service. 

(back to top)

Section 8c.  CHURCH GOVERNMENT

    This church is lead in its vision, ministries, and finances by the teaching and overseeing elder that is submitted to the council of elders.  Together this council has the responsibility and authority to lead this body in all affairs.  Additionally, a deaconate of responsible men and woman serve in many practical areas.  We, as a body, are committed to accountability and unity in all our undertakings for the kingdom of God.

(back to top)

Section 9.  THE CONSUMMATION

    The consummation of all things includes the visible, personal, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the translation of those who are alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ’s Kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth (II Peter 3:13).

    In the consummation, Satan with his demonic hosts and all those outside of Christ will be finally and eternally separated from the presence of God, enduring eternal punishment in the lake of fire, but the righteous in glorious bodies shall live and reign with Him forever.

    Married to Christ as His bride, the Church will be in the presence of God forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory.

(back to top)