About God
We believe there is one true God who has revealed himself in three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These are equal and one God. God the Father is all powerful, loving, and holy. God the Son was miraculously born of the virgin Mary and became flesh and blood without ceasing to be God. He died on a cross taking our place, was raised from the dead on the third day and is now interceding for us at the right hand of God. God the Spirit indwells and empowers the church and the believer. The Spirit’s presence in our lives is both a seal and a guarantee that we are God’s children.
About Humankind
We believe God’s crowning act of creation is forming man and woman. According to the creation story in the book of Genesis, “…God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1:27) Because we are made in the image of God we are designed to worship and glorify God forever. That image, however, has been marred and corrupted by sin. In fact, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)
About Salvation
We believe that because we have all sinned we are all in need of salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. Paul describes it this way: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8-9) Salvation is a gift available to all who place their trust in Jesus as Savior.
About Baptism
We believe baptism is the immersion of a believer into Christ expressing faith or trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. When we repent of our sins and are baptized, we identify with Christ and are added to the church. In baptism, we imitate Christ’s example, experience the forgiveness of sins, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, are clothed in Christ, and begin a new life.
About the Church
We believe the church is the body of Christ, the bride of Christ and a temple where God lives by his Spirit. The church is a gathering of believers called by God, united by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit to be God’s presence and carry out God’s purposes in the world. Just as God sent his Son and his Spirit into the world, so now the church is sent by the Father, Son, and Spirit to be God’s redemptive influence in our community.
About the Bible
We believe the Bible is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Tim. 3:16-17) The Bible, although containing one overarching story, is a collection or library consisting of 66 books written in different styles or genres; each containing the message of God. The pinnacle of the Bible story is when God himself entered history as a baby born of a virgin in Bethlehem. In time, Jesus grows up, begins a ministry, and gives his life for each of us on a cross. Ultimately, the Bible is a divine love story between God and the object of his unrelenting faithful love, us.