WHAT WE BELIEVE

1. The Bible is the Inspired Word of God

  • Everything we do is grounded in Scripture.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16 – "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."

2. The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

  • God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Matthew 28:19 – "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

  • Example: At Jesus' baptism, we see all three present (Matthew 3:16-17).

  • Jesus is fully God and fully man.

    • John 1:1, 14 – "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

    • Colossians 2:9 – "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

    • Philippians 2:5-7 – "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant."

3. Man is Sinful and Needs a Savior

  • Romans 3:23 – "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

  • Humanity is depraved and cannot save itself.

4. Jesus is the Only Way to Salvation

  • John 14:6 – "Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"

  • Acts 4:12 – "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

5. Faith Without Works is Dead

  • James 2:20 – "Faith without works is dead."

  • Grace is not a license to sin but a divine influence that transforms us.

  • Your outward life should reflect the inward change.

    • Matthew 7:16 – "You will recognize them by their fruits."

    • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

6. Justification vs. Sanctification

  • Justification is instant – We are declared righteous at salvation (Romans 5:1 – "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.")

  • Sanctification is progressive – We grow in holiness through renewing our mind (Romans 12:2), healing of past wounds (Psalm 147:3), and deliverance (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

  • Holiness is both immediate and ongoing.

7. New Testament Ordinances

  • Water Baptism by Immersion – An outward expression of inward transformation.

    • We baptize in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38) and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

  • Communion – Remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

8. Healing as Part of the Atonement

  • 1 Peter 2:24 – "By His stripes, we were healed."

  • Healing applies to physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

9. The Laying on of Hands

  • Jesus practiced the laying on of hands.

    • Luke 4:40 – "At sunset, people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them."

  • Used for impartation, ordination, and healing (Mark 16:17-18).

  • Mark 16:17-18 – "These signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

10. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

  • When a believer receives the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, they receive the power and ability to speak in tongues at will (Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

  • Speaking in tongues is a way to communicate with God that surpasses our natural intellect (1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:14).

  • The Bible encourages us to use this ability as often as possible (1 Corinthians 14:14-15, Ephesians 6:18, Jude 1:20).

  • Two Distinctions of Tongues:

    • Prayer Language (Personal Benefit):

      • 1 Corinthians 14:2 – "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God."

      • Romans 8:26 – "The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

      • No interpretation is needed because it is direct communication with God.

    • Spiritual Gift (Public Benefit):

      • The Holy Spirit initiates it, and it benefits others.

      • 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 – "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at most three, each in turn, and let one interpret."

      • Requires the gift of interpretation of tongues for the edification of the church.

11. The Gifts of the Spirit Are For Today

    • 1 Corinthians 12 – The nine manifestation gifts of the Spirit:

      1. Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healings, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment (Distinguishing Between Spirits), Tongues, & Interpretation of Tongues

    • Prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

    • We believe all of these gifts should be flowing, being used, and taught in the church. 

12. Five-Fold Ministry is for the Church Today

    • Ephesians 4:11-12 – "Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers... for equipping the saints."

    • These ministry gifts are to be functioning and operating within the Church for it to continue in strength.

13. The Return of Christ & Eternal Judgment

    • Jesus will return!

    • The dead in Christ will be resurrected (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

    • Heaven and hell are real places.