What We Believe
|
|
| About God: God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2;11; II Corin 13:14 |
| About Man: People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our lives. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2 |
| About Jesus Christ: Jesus is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13 |
| About the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power available to every believer. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the New Birth. The evidence of this infilling is a deeper, overflowing love, power to witness, and greater manifestation of spiritual gifts. This was an ordinary experience of the first century church. II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 2:12; 12:7-11; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18, 4:7-16; Galatians 5:22-23, 25; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:4; Romans 12:6-8 |
| About Salvation: Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment someone receives Jesus Christ into their life by confession of faith in His life, death and resurrection. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1,10:9-10 |
| About Eternity: People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; I Corinthians 2:7-9 |
