In the essentials we need unity, in the non-essentials we need freedom; but in all things we need love.
– Rupertus Meldenius
Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their personal beliefs. We recognize that committed Christians will never come to agreement in all matters of belief. However, as a Christian church, we adhere to the historic Christian faith. The central tenets of Christianity are not changeable and in our gatherings, we teach the Bible, focusing on the essentials of the faith without getting needlessly caught up in the issues that divide people.
We believe...
There is one true God
God is called by many different names because of the different dimensions of His personality, but God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). God is super-dimensional and eternally self-existent (John 8:54-59). God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1-2:25). While God is one, He has revealed Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, the eternal Son of God. The Scripture declares his virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-23); His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26 & I Peter 2:22 & I John 3:4,5); His miracles (Acts 2:22 & 10:37-38); His substitutionary death on the cross (II Corinthians 5:21 & I Peter 2:24 & I Corinthians 15:4); His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:1-6 & I Corinthians 15:4); His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11 & Philippians 2:9-11).
Fall of Humanity
People were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). However, by a voluntary act of the will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis 3:6). That first sin had several repercussions. Adam and Eve were excommunicated from the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23), a curse was pronounced (Genesis 3:14-19) and the process of physical death (Genesis 2:17) and spiritual death (Romans 5:12-19) resulted. Sin separated humankind from God (Ephesians 2:11-18) and left us in a fallen or sinful condition (Romans 3:23).
Salvation
The only means of salvation is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6). He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (1 Peter 2:24). He offers each of us a pardon for our sins (Hebrews 9:26) and wants us to become children of God (John 1:12). When we put our faith in Christ, it triggers a spiritual chain reaction. We become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). We become citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20-21). We are given eternal life (John 3:16). We are adopted and become children of God (Galatians 4:4-7). Our sins are forgiven and forgotten (Hebrews 8:12). We are credited with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:4-5). We are born-again (John 3:3). God takes ownership of us (I Corinthians 6:20). We receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14 & I Peter 1:3-5).
The evidence of salvation is two-fold. The internal evidence is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). The external evidence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Ordinances of the Church
Baptism in Water: The Scripture teaches that all who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized by immersion (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to the world that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). Communion: The Lord’s table consists of two elements instituted by Jesus (Matthew 26:26-29). The bread and cup are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ’s sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation. It is an opportunity for believers to examine themselves and experience forgiveness (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
Church and Its Mission
The Church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and has a three-fold purpose: To evangelize the world (Acts 1:8 & Mark 16:15-16), to worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13), and to equip for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16 & 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).
The Holy Spirit
The nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity. The nine gifts of the Spirit are different manifestations of the Spirit to build up the body (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). We are instructed to diligently seek the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1), but they must be exercised in an orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:26-33) in the context of love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the dead will be resurrected and judged according to their works (Matthew 25:31-46 & Romans 2:1-9). Everyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, along with the devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be resurrected and stand at the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded for their good deeds (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Bible is the inspired Word of God
The Bible consists of two parts: the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament. The Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, the only written revelation from God to man. The Bible is infallible and the authoritative rule of faith and conduct for humankind (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 & 2 Peter 1:21).