OUR CORE MESSAGE

About Jesus: We believe that He was the promised Messianic King and Son of God, was born into the world in Bethlehem where He grew to manhood and lived the life of a sinless carpenter. He spent His life serving others-- feeding the hungry, healing the sick, raising the dead, teaching us the way to God, dying as an atoning sacrifice for sin, but rising victoriously from the tomb.

About the Triune God: We believe in the Triune God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who created all things visible and invisible. We believe that Jesus was the Son of God, fully human and fully divine. Further, we believe that the Holy Spirit is a present reality, convicting us of sin, illuminating God's word, providing evidence to us that we are the children of God, and glorifying Jesus in our eyes. (Gen 1, Jn 1:1-14, Jn 16:5-16, Rom 8:9, 15-17)

About Salvation: We believe that all humans have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This means that each person has put themselves where only God deserves to be in their lives, choosing to be their own lords. In Jesus' sacrificial death upon the cross, God substituted himself for us and took the punishment for our sinful rebellion. Through claiming the sacrifice of Jesus for ourselves and renouncing our rebellion, we can be made right with God.

This message forms the core of the gospel- that we were so bad that the Son of God had to die for us, but we were so loved that He was willing to do it! We believe that this message changes a person from the inside out. The sacrifice of Jesus gives us a radical new identity freeing us from self-righteousness (We were so bad that Jesus had to die for us, so how can we be spiritually proud?), guilt (We have been forgiven!), and pressure to conform to the world (Since Jesus thinks so highly of us that He was willing to give His life for ours, who cares what others think about us?). Thus, salvation liberates us, breaking the bonds of things (even good things) that once controlled and motivated us.

About Scripture: We believe the whole Bible is the Holy Scripture, God-breathed, and authorative for the Christian's life and for the church. We believe the Bible instructs us how to lives as followers of Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 3:15-17)

About the Christian Life: We believe that Christians are called to live lives of gratitude for the creating and redeeming work of God. As people who are overwhelmed by gratitude, we believe Christians naturally embrace God's call to sacrificial living that displays itself in wholehearted love for God and other humans. Practically, this radically affects our attitude towards God's will for our lives and our kindness to those we encounter. (Mat 22:36-40, Rom 12:1-2)

About Jesus' Return: We believe that Jesus will come again at a time of God's appointing and He will come for judgment. Those who are Christ's followers will dwell with God forever in Heaven; while those who have continued in their rebellion against God will be eternally separated from Him in Hell. Therefore we live in anticipation of His return, which could be imminent. (Mat 25:31-46, 1 Thess 4:13-18)

Articles of Faith

1. The Bible is our Rule of Faith. We believe the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word and is the standard for all Christians. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21).

2. The Trinity. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
   (II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19).

3. Man's Sinfulness. We believe the Bible teaching that man sinned and fell short of the glory of God.
   (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23).

4. Redemption. We believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious death, arose through a triumphant resurrection, sits at the right hand of God and lives to make intercession as man's only means of salvation.
   (Hebrews 7:25; John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

5. Sanctification. We believe the experience of sanctification as a second definite work of grace, subsequent to salvation. This enables us to live a life of holiness which is the standard and norm for every Christian. The evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is a holy life empowered to witness and not an unintelligible language or unknown tongue.
   (I Thessalonians 4:3-4; I Thessalonians 5:22-23; Hebrews 12:14; Acts 1:8).

6. The Church of God. We believe the Bible doctrine that the Church of God is the bride of Christ into which every believer is born and that here all born-again believers are united in one great Christian family of which Christ is the Head. (Acts 2:47; Acts 20:28; John 17:11-12; Ephesians 5:23).

7. The Kingdom of God. We believe that being born-again and added to the Church of God places us in the Kingdom of God, which is a present-day spiritual reality and not reserved for a future kingdom or millennial reign.
   (John 18:36-37; Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17).

8. Ordinances. We believe water Baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and Foot Washing are all commands of our Lord to be obeyed and practiced by those who have been born again.
   (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:1-14; I Corinthians 11:23-30; John 13:3-17).

9. Divine Healing. We believe in the Bible doctrine of Divine physical healing which is provided by faith to the believer. (James 5:13-16; Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 10:7-8; Acts 3:16).

10. Tithing. We believe in the practice of tithing through the local church as commanded by God in the Scriptures.
    (Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-14; Proverbs 3:9-10).

11. The Possibility of Backsliding. We believe the Bible teaches that "he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Being born again does not exempt a person from choosing to backslide and be lost.
    (Matthew 10:22 (NIV); II Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2:5)

12. The Second Coming of Christ. We believe in the personal Second Coming of Christ to this world to end time, resurrect the dead, judge the world, receive the church unto Himself, and to usher us all into eternity. This is not a "secret rapture".  (John 14:3; Matthew 25:31-46; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).