OUR BELIEFS

We Believe. . . 

The Bible 

“The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). “Every word of God is flawless” (Proverbs 30:5). “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (1 Timothy 3:16-17).  

One God 

There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of Deity and the characteristics of God’s personality (Mt. 28:19; Col. 2:9; 1 Jn. 5:7). 

​Jesus Christ 

He created all things and holds all things together. He came into this world to save us, offering Himself as our sinless sacrifice and rising from the dead. His bodily resurrection is our hope of a future resurrection (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:15-20; 1 Tim. 1:15). We eagerly wait for His return (Phil. 3:20).

One People 

All people(s) are created in God’s image and are loved by God. And although sin has separated us from our Creator, His image remains in all of us. And God remains gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, and compassionate to all he has made. Christ demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God is calling us into this love and we long for the day when every tear is wiped from our eyes and every tongue, tribe, and nation will worship together (Gen. 5:2, 9:6, 12:1-4; Ps. 139:13-14, 145:8-9; Prov. 22:2; Gal. 3:7-9; Mt. 28:18-20; Rom. 5:8; Rev. 7:9, 21:4).

Hearts and Minds

None of our hearts, minds, and bodies are perfectly good on our own. We have all been corrupted and fall short of God’s glory. Apart from Christ, we are unable to be reunited with God or live a truly holy life. Everyone is in need of regeneration and sanctification through the work of Christ’s death and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This corruption means that it can be difficult for us to know our true self, to truly connect with God, and to make good decisions that are loving to God, ourselves, and others in the long-term. However, God has promised to give us a new heart and tell us that we can renew our minds (Jer. 17:9; Ezek. 36:26; Rom. 3:10-11; 12:2, Jn. 14:6, 15:5; Eph. 4:18-19; Jas. 4:1-7). 

Saved by Grace Through Faith

As much as we might try, we can’t restore ourselves to God without Him first reaching out to us (Jn. 6:44; Eph 2:8-9). But the good news is that “God is unwilling that any should perish, but that all would come to eternal life” (2 Pet. 3:9) and that “if the Son of Man is lifted up, He will draw all people(s) to Himself” (Jn. 12:32). We can do nothing apart from Jesus’ sacrifice to find the abundant life we were created to share when we are in proper relationship with God, others, and creation (Jn. 15:5).

There is Life after Life 

Heaven is real and so is Hell. Jesus came that we might have abundant life (Jn. 10:10). Those who believes in Jesus will live, even though they die (Jn. 11:25). The rest will stand before God’s throne where he will decide each person’s eternal destination (Rev. 20:11-15). 

Jesus Cares for us in the Now and Not Yet 

Jesus said that it was better that He ascend into heaven than for Him to stay with us. Now at the right hand of the Father, He intercedes for us and guides us through His Spirit (Heb. 7:25; Eph. 2:18). This Spirit “does not speak on His own, but only what He hears the Father and the Son saying.” He leads, guides, teaches, reminds, and even shows things to come (Jn. 16:13). And He went away so that He could prepare a place for us with God the Father, so that we might be with Him forever (Jn. 14:3; Mt. 20). 

Jesus’ Gospel of the Kingdom

Although the kingdom of God is not here in its fullness, Jesus’ coming demonstrates that the Kingdom of God has been inaugurated (Mt. 4:7-20, 9:35, 24:14; Acts 28). The Kingdom is here in as much as the citizens of the kingdom are here (Phil. 3:20), and in as much as we are living in the Kingdom Way – on earth as it is in Heaven (Lk. 11:2). This Kingdom Way honors and influences governments – “offering petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). It acknowledges that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). As we walk out this gospel, we are helping to fulfill Jesus’ mission to “proclaim good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives, recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Mt. 4:18-19). And we are fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded.” (Mt. 28:16-20).