Statement of Faith
Holy Scripture
The Holy Bible is infallible and the authoritative word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit for governing the tenants of faith and conduct.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 15:4, 16:25-26; 1 Thessalonians. 2:13; Hebrews 4:12)
Christ Jesus
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, conceived by the Father through the Holy Spirit, lived a perfect sinless life, performed miracles, died on a cross as a substitutionary atonement for the sins of the world, was buried in a tomb, rose from the dead after three days, revealed Himself the the apostles, ascended into heaven, now sits at the right hand of the Father, and will someday return in power and glory. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, as God the Son. He was fully God and fully Human. He is the only way to heaven and the only one in whom we find salvation.
(John 1:1,14, 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:34-35; Isaiah 7:14; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
The “I am” statements of Jesus according to the gospel of John.
1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51)
2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5)
3. I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9)
4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
7. I am the true vine (John 15:1)
Trinity
There is one eternal God, that exists within three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
(1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11).
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works and actions. Salvation cannot be earned through human efforts. Our salvation was earned by Jesus through the finished work of the cross; His death, burial, and resurrection.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22).
Repentance
Repentance is turning away from sin and committing our lives to follow Christ Jesus. Repentance is essential to the life of a believer. Through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and are able to receive redemption.
(Psalm 7:12-17, Ezekiel 14:6, Matthew 3:2, 4:17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 5:32, 13:3-5, Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to the working of the Holy Spirit. Through the working of the Holy Spirit we are able to produce spiritual fruit that enables us to live godly lives. This spiritual fruit comes from having a connection to the Spirit through spiritual disciples such as prayer, fasting, and studying the Word of God.
(Romans 6:1-11,13; 8:1-2,13; Galatians 2:20, 5:16-25; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11, 13:12).
Baptism
Water Baptism
When someone comes to repentance and believes in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they shall be baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Water baptism symbolizes the death and burial of one’s old self prior to Christ, and the resurrection of their new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit
(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).
Holy Spirit Baptism
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is separate from that of water baptism. All who come to the faith should desire the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, and by Jesus. The Holy Spirit draws us closer to the ways of the Lord through the giving of His spiritual fruit, gifts, utterance, and deeper revelations of His word.
(Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8, 16:17-18; Luke 3:16, Luke 24:49; John 1:33, 3:5-8, 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-5, 2:1-4, 4:8, 8:14-17, 10:44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)
Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit gives a variety of spiritual gifts to the Body of Christ for the benefit of all. The Spirit is manifested through the use of His gifts. As members of the Body of Christ we should earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in our lives. The Spirit distributes different gifts to different people and as one body, we are to work together in harmony for the sake of building up the church. We are to always operate under the authority of the Holy Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters
(Hebrews 2:3-4; Romans 1:11, 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10).
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus' Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is commanded to preach the Gospel to all creation, make disciples, love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to share in each other’s sufferings and joy as one Body, united by the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:27; John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 12, 13, 14; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:1-6; Colossians 3:12-17)