Statement of Faith

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The Bible

The Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible, reliable Word. It is the only final authority for faith and life. Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21

God

God is Trinity, an eternal, loving unity of three divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Creation

God created the universe from nothing and made all things very good. Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3

Humanity

God created humanity in his image to glorify and enjoy God and to be stewards of creation. Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8; Isaiah 43:7; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 37:4

The Fall of Man

Humanity has fallen into sin, and we are totally unable to save ourselves. Genesis 3; Romans 3:12, 23; Romans 5:12

Sin

Sin is breaking God’s law; therefore, sin is lawlessness. No one can say they have never sinned; all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Sin separates us from God. Those who continue to live in sin are not of God but are of the Devil. Conversely, Christians should not continue to live in sin. Only Jesus can break sin’s power. Isaiah 59:2; Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 3:23; Colossians 2:11-12; 1 John 1:10, 3:1-10; James 4:17

Repentance

Repentance means to turn away from sinful living and to turn toward Christ, who makes us a new creation. We leave our sinful desires, habits, and acts behind us to pursue life in the Spirit. Repentance is a requirement for Salvation.

Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; John 5:1-13, 8:1-11; Romans 6:16-23

Forgiveness

For all who confess and repent, God forgives their wrongdoing and ignorance. All sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, except the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, believers are commanded to forgive others for their sins, regardless of how many times they sin against the believer. Matthew 6:12, 14-15, 12:31-32, 18:21-22; Mark 3:20-30; 1 John 1:9

Salvation

Salvation is entirely God’s gift that is received by faith in Christ alone; it is not earned by works of the law or good deeds. Salvation is merited only by Jesus’ perfect obedience and atonement. Isaiah 53; Hebrews 7:26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 2:16-21

Water Baptism

Baptism is dying to self and being raised to the newness of life with Christ. It is an outward act symbolizing an inner belief and a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, representing the cutting away of the sinful nature. Water Baptism does not save a person. *See Salvation. Colossians 2:11-12

Jesus Christ

Jesus is the promised Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. He is fully God and fully man. Jesus is God. Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1,14; 20:28; Romans 10:9; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:14

Jesus’ Life and Victory

Jesus was born of a virgin, obeyed God perfectly, worked great miracles, died on a cross, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and reigns over all things. He will return soon. Luke 1:26-35, Hebrews 4:15; John 14:11, Luke 23-24, Ephesians 1:20-23

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit gives new birth, unites us to Christ, assures us of His love, leads us in His truth, forms us in His character, equips us with His gifts, and empowers us to be His ambassadors. John 3:3-8; Acts 1:8; Romans 2:28-29, 8; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 3:16-21

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a tangible event credited only to God. He declares the timing of a believer’s Baptism. Through this baptism, the Holy Spirit fills a believer with power and boldness to be a witness. Believers may demonstrate gifts of the Spirit as God gives them ability. A Christian should seek to be continually filled by the Spirit; it is not just a one-time event. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate event from salvation and water baptism. 

Joel 2:28-32; Acts 1:8, 2:1-21

Truth

Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life. Therefore, truth is not decided by man, but only by Jesus Christ. Jesus is the absolute truth for life. The Bible is true concerning sexuality, sin, family, godly living, past, present, and future. *Also see The Bible John 1:1-5, 14:6

The Church

The Church consists of those who have placed their faith in Jesus as Messiah. They are the true children of God. The Church is not a geographical location; instead, it is all Believers who walk in Unity and meet regularly. The Church exists to care for one another and those who cannot care for themselves and to glorify Christ. Romans 12:5; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 10:25; James 1:27; 1 John 5:1; Revelation 7:9

Angels

God’s holy angels defend and help God’s people. Angels are not to be worshipped, just as man is not to be worshipped. Psalm 34:7, 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14; Acts 10:25-26; Revelation 19:9-10

Satan

Satan rebelled against God, and, as a result, he and a third of the angels (now called demons) fell from heaven. He deceived Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden; consequently, Sin entered the world and separated man from God. Satan is a tempter, father of lies, steals, kills, destroys, and lives to deceive the world and Christians. We have all authority over him and his demons. As Christians, we must be watchful and careful of his schemes. Genesis 1:31, 3:16-19; Luke 10:19; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:14; 1 Timothy 4:1; etc.

Eschatology 

Jesus Christ will return visibly and unexpectedly. The dead in Christ will be raised first, and then the living will be caught up to meet him. As the righteous judge of all, He will award faithful Christians; those who practice sin and are unbelievers will not inherit the Kingdom of God, perishing for all eternity. Believers will also receive a glorified body, just like Christ’s. Matthew 24:30-31, 25:31-46; 1Cor. 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 16:15, 21:1-5

Abiding in Christ

Christian character and development do not come from trying to better or perfect oneself; instead, it stems from consistently abiding in Christ. Abiding in Christ means staying connected to the Vine, which is Jesus. If we abide or remain connected to Jesus, we become fruitful, i.e., we produce fruit (attributes) of the Spirit. For those who bear fruit, God prunes them so they may bear more fruit; we do not prune ourselves. For those who do not bear fruit, He cuts them off. Through abiding, God empowers believers to obey the commands and commandments of Jesus, live holy/godly lives, and stay free from sin and/or disobedience. Through abiding, we receive the true love of God; outside of Christ, there is no true love. Through abiding, God keeps us on the narrow path and helps us to mature. We abide through daily practices of prayer, reading/study of the Word, and worship.

Matthew 5:48; John 15; Galatians 5:16-26; Hebrews 6:1-3; 1 John 3:1-10 

Love

Love is the most crucial element to a Christian’s life. Love is an action, not only a phrase. Without Love, we, and our efforts, are nothing. Without Love, we are unable to keep the Commands and Commandments of God. However, Love is not dictated by man’s opinions. Affirmation of sin or destructive lifestyles is not Love. Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 3:18-19