The following clearly states our scripturally-based beliefs and teachings on core principles of Christianity and the Bible. 

Word of God

The Bible (God’s Word) was written by men in observation of historical events and through God’s divine inspiration. a  It represents the infallible b and complete c source of God’s truth for all of mankind.  The Word of God and all of its doctrine cannot be separated from God or any belief in God d.  All truth provided in the Bible is as relevant now as it was when written and endures forever. e  It is the solitary authority for the life and judgement of man and the standard for all religious perception. f  Because God has already revealed Himself in complete and absolute perfection, nothing can be added to or taken away from the Bible. g

a Isaiah 55:11, Jeremiah 1:9, Matthew 4:4, John 14:26, Romans 3:2, 1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, Revelation 1:1-3

b Psalm 12:6, 18:30, 19:7, 33:4, Proverbs 30:5, John 17:17, Acts 17:11, Jude 1:3

c 1 Corinthians 4:6, Galatians 1:6-7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Revelation 22:18-19

d Exodus 3:14, Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 138:2, John 1:1-2, 6:63, 8:47, 14:14, 14:21, Colossians 3:16, 1 Peter 1:23

e Psalm 119:89, 119:160, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5:18, 24:35, Mark 13:31, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25

f   Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:8-10, 119:130, Proverbs 2:6,  3:11-12, Matthew 7:24, Luke 11:28, John 8:31-32, 12:48, 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16, James 1:21-22

g Deuteronomy 12:32, Matthew 15:3, 15:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Galatians 1:8, 2 Peter 3:15-17, Revelation 22:18-19

God

We proudly and boldly serve the one true and almighty God h – omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent in all things. i  He is the eternal creator and master of the universe and all things in it. j  God exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  He exists as a unity of these three distinct, equal, and divine beings. k  God is perfect in all ways and administrates His love, power, knowledge, judgement, grace, and mercy in absolute righteousness. l

h  Isaiah 43:10-11, 45:18, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16, 1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 1:8

i   Genesis 1:2, 1:30, Psalm 147:5, Proverbs 15:3, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 55:8-9, Jeremiah 10:12, 23:24, 32:27, Matthew 19:26, John 1:14, Romans 11:33-36, Hebrews 4:13, Colossians 2:3, 1 John 3:20

j   Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 2:7, Job 12:7-9, Isaiah 44:24, John 1:1-3

k  Genesis 1:26-27, 3:22, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:29, John 14:23, 15:26, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 13:14, Galatians 3:20                                                                                                                                                                                          

l   Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 7:1, 18:30, 33:1, 103:8, 145:17, Proverbs 1:7, Isaiah 5:16, Matthew 5:48, 2 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 2:4-7, 4:4-7, James 1:17, 1 John 4:8

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is one and equal with God the Father and Holy Spirit m as both God and man. n  He was presented in the flesh to the world by birth of a virgin mother. o  Jesus was and is without sin, p and, while on Earth, gave Himself up through death on a cross as the only acceptable sacrifice for all of our sins. q  After three days, He rose from the dead, r as prophesied, s in demonstration of His dominion over sin and death. Christ ascended to His Heavenly throne at the right hand of God the Father t and will return again to reign as Lord over the Earth forever. u

m Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 43:11, 45:21, Matthew 1:22-23, 3:17, 28:18, John 1:14, 8:58, 10:30, 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 1:1-3, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 John 5:20

n John 1:14, 3:16, Romans 1:3-4, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:5

o Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-27, 1:34-35

p 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5

q 1 Peter 2:24, Romans 8:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5

r   Matthew 28:5-6, Luke 24:6-7, Mark 8:31, John 11:25, 20:26, Romans 1:4, 8:11, 8:34, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 15:20,  Ephesians 1:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:8, 1 Peter 1:3

s Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34, Luke 9:22, 18:33, John 3:14, 8:28

t   Matthew 26:64, Mark 16:19, John 6:62, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Peter 3:22, Hebrews 1:3

u Matthew 16:27-28, 24:27, 24:42, Mark 10:32-33, 13:26-27, Luke 1:32, 17:28-30, 21:27, John 14:3, Acts 1:11, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 1:7, 11:15

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the divine helper and is one and equal with God the Father and Son. v  He convicts all in the world of sin, His righteousness, and God’s judgement, w and lives within believers from the point of salvation – providing truth, understanding, guidance, intercession, fellowship, and love. x  The Holy Spirit imparts certain spiritual gifts to believers to be used for the glory of God. y

v Genesis 1:2, 1:26-27, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7, Luke 1:35, Romans 8:9, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:30, Galatians 3:20, Hebrews 9:14, 1 John 5:6-8,

w John 16:8-11, 2 Corinthians 6:2

x  Isaiah 11:2, John 14:15-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13, Acts 2:38, Romans 5:5, 8:9, 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:13, Colossians 1:9, Titus 3:5-6

y  1 Corinthians 12:4, 12:11, Hebrews 2:4, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Mankind

God created two distinct beings – male and female, and bestows upon all human beings attributes of His spiritual likeness and character, z which are increased as we are transformed through salvation and the pursuit of God’s will. aa  Because of Adam’s sin, mankind, as descendants of Adam, was cast into depravity, inherited a sinful human nature, and realized God’s judgement of death. ab  The intrinsic nature of sin in man creates a separation between God and all of mankind that can only be bridged through salvation. ac

z Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1, 9:6, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Romans 1:20, 1 Corinthians 11:7, Ephesians 2:10, James 3:9

aa Psalm 17:15, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, 1 John 2:5-6

ab Deuteronomy 24:16, Psalm 51:5, Proverbs 14:12, John 2:5-6, Romans 3:23, 5:12, 6:16, 6:23, 7:9, 7:13-14, 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 3:10, Titus 1:15, Hebrews 9:27

ac Isaiah 59:2, Habakkuk 1:13, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 2:12, 4:18

Salvation

By His grace, God offers mankind reconciliation through the free gift of salvation.  Salvation is accomplished by the work of God in a person and acceptance of God’s free gift. ad  God’s gift of salvation can only be received through sincere belief and faith in Jesus Christ and His substitutionary atonement for our sins and repentance of one’s sins. ae  True Biblical repentance leads to contrition – a desire to turn from sin and towards Christ in obedience. af  It is by God’s grace through our belief and faith in Jesus Christ alone that we are transformed and reconciled with God as righteous through Christ’s atonement. ag  While Godly works and obedience are a byproduct of salvation, mankind cannot earn or reproduce salvation through any amount of good works. ah  True salvation is eternal and cannot be lost.  If one professes salvation, but does not live accordingly or indefinitely separates themselves from faith in Christ – they were never truly saved to begin with. ai   

ad John 4:10, Romans 3:24, 5:15, 6:23, 6:44, 6:65, Ephesians 2:8-9

ae Isaiah 1:27, Matthew 3:2, 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3, John 1:12, 3:16-18, 5:24, 6:47, 20:31, 4:12, 20:21, Romans 3:21-25, 5:1-2, 5:11, 10:9, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 7:10,

af 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 38:18, Proverbs 28:13, Ezekiel 14:6, 18:30-31, Matthew 3:8, Acts 3:19, 8:22, 2 Corinthians 7:9, Hebrews 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, 1 John 3:9

ag John 1:17, Acts 15:11, 20:32, Romans 1:17, 3:5, 3:2-24, 5:10, 5:18, 6:14, 10:4, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 15:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 2:21, Ephesians 2:8, Philippians 3:9, Titus 2:11, Hebrews 2:9, 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18

ah Matthew 5:16, John 6:28-29, 14:12, 14:23, Acts 26:20, Romans 3:20, 4:5, 11:6, Galatians 2:16, 3:10, Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 2:11-14, 3:5-7, James 2:20, 2:26

ai  Matthew 7:15-20, 12:33-35, John 3:16-18, 6:39, 6:47, 10:28, Romans 6:22, 11:29, 1 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, 5:17, Hebrews 10:14, 12:14, 1 John 2:4, 2:19

Afterlife

Heaven and Hell are factual eternal dwelling places.  After death, those who have experienced true salvation will spend eternity with God in Heaven – commonly referred to as “eternal life”.  Those who have not experienced true salvation will suffer eternally in Hell. aj 

aj  Numbers 16:29-30, 2 Chronicles 6:30, Nehemiah 9:6,  Isaiah 66:1, Lamentations 3:41, Daniel 12:2, Matthew 3:8-10, 6:19-20, 11:20-24, 13:49-50, 25:41, 25:46, Mark 9:48-49, Luke 12:5, John 3:36, 6:50-51, Acts 7:48-50, Romans 1:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Peter 3:21-22, Jude 1:7, Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 20:15, 21:3-4, 21:8

Baptism

There are multiple forms of baptism referenced in the Bible.  The subject has been a point of debate between Christian denominations for centuries.  Without attempting to engage in comprehensive apologetics in this section, our belief regarding baptism is centered on three realities: 1) the Word of God is infallible and does not contradict itself; 2) the Biblical requirement for salvation is referenced abundantly throughout scripture; 3) the importance of a complete context regarding Biblical history, original written languages, and referencing scripture. 

Baptism by water occurs after salvation as a symbolic and public representation of a believer’s death and burial of the old self, and resurrection into a new life – covered by the righteousness of Christ. ak  The physical act of baptism (just as the traditional Jewish covenantal rituals) does not provide for salvation. al  Baptism is also referenced by the Bible as the immediate and regenerative work of the Holy Spirit upon receiving the gift of salvation. am  We recognize the need to be respectful and gracious to Christians who participate in the covenantal practice of infant or child dedications that involve water. an  However, such practices cannot propose to satisfy any Biblical requirement for salvation or replace believer’s baptism.

ak   Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:41, 8:12, 8:34-38, 10:47-48, 16:30-34, 19:1-5, Romans 6:1-4, Colossians 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21

al    Mark 16:16, John 1:12, 3:14-18, 3:36, 5:24, 11:25-26, 20:31, Acts 2:41, 15:1-12, Romans 4:5, 4:9-11, 5:1, 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, 15:1-2, Titus 3:5

am  Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, 11:16, 22:16, Romans 2:28-29, 8:9, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 12:13, Colossians 2:12, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:18

an   Exodus 20:6, Romans 14:1-5, 15:5-7, Ephesians 4:1-3, 4:31-32, Colossians 3:12-14, 1 Timothy 1:5, 3:1-15

The Church

The church is referenced in two distinct manners in the Bible – a body of believers and a physical local church of believers.  Upon salvation, Christians are immediately positioned by the Holy Spirit into a unified body of believers, the Body of Christ, where Christ is the head and figurative “husband” of His church body. ao  The local church is an essential foundation for the development of all Christians.  The need for the establishment of the local church, the proper appointment of church leadership, conduct of church leadership, and fellowship, instruction, and support of believers is clearly attributed throughout scripture. ap    These ascriptions include the obedient application of ministering spiritual gifts by the church body to administer the gospel and glorify God. aq 

ao   Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 11:2, 12:12-13, 12:27, Ephesians 1:2-23, 2:19-22, 3:6, 4:16, 5:22-32, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 13:3, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 19:7-8

ap   Malachi 2:7, John 4:23-24, Acts 2:42-47, 20:28, Romans 16:1-16, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Galatians 6:9-10, Ephesians 4:11-13, 5:19-21, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 5:12-13, Titus 1:5-9, Hebrews 10:24-25, 13:17, 1 Timothy 5:17-24, James 3:1

aq   Romans 12:5-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Peter 4:10-11

The Great Commission

All Christians have been commissioned by Jesus Christ to share the message of salvation with all of mankind – making disciples and teaching them to be obedient to God.  This command from Christ Himself cannot be logically limited to the Apostles as the reproduction of that command is required when Jesus states “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. ar  The evangelism and instruction in His commands are not limited to those who are given certain ministering spiritual gifts – it is a calling for each and every Christian. as 

ar   Matthew 9:37-38, 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 1:8

as   Matthew 5:13-19, Luke 10:1-3, 12:8, John 4:36-38, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:15-16