WHAT WE BELIEVE
Statement of Faith:
1. Revelation. We believe that God has made his power and glory known in creation. He revealed himself also in word and deed in the Old Testament. He revealed himself supremely and finally in the Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. We accept the entire Bible as the infallible word of God and as the authoritative guide for faith and life.
2. God. We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Father, the creator and sustainer of the universe, who in his infinite wisdom and love planned the redemption of mankind and accomplished it through Jesus Christ. We believe in Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, was crucified for our sins, rose from the dead, and was exalted to the right hand of God. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who effects redemption in the lives of those who believe in Christ. He convicts, guides, teaches, rebukes, indwells, empowers, comforts, intercedes, unites believers into one body, and glorifies Christ.
3. Salvation. We believe that humanity was created in the image of God, sinless and in perfect fellowship with God, with a free will to make moral choices. By sinning Adam brought death and judgement upon the entire human race. We believe that there is one mediator between God and humanity, the man Jesus Christ, who by his death redeems mankind from the power of sin, death and eternal punishment. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ and are born to a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Christian Life. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and transforms them into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to every believer in order to be used in their daily life to serve the Kingdom and edify the Church.
5. Marriage and Family. We believe the Bible teaches that marriage refers to the covenant relationship between one man and one woman, as instituted by God in the beginning, to the exclusion of all others.
6. The Church. We believe that the Church was established through Christ’s redemptive work in history, and that it is comprised of all who put their faith in him and are baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body, regardless of nation, race or social class. Despite the diversity of congregations and denominations, the Holy Spirit creates unity among all the people of God. We believe that the Church stands at the center of God’s redemptive history and is called to proclaim the redeeming message to all mankind and to model a new humanity within the world.
7. The State. We believe that God has instituted the state and that as citizens within it, we are called to serve and witness. Our chief concern and primary allegiance is to Christ’s Kingdom. As we work and serve, we pray for our government, respect those in authority, pay taxes, obey all laws not in conflict with the Word of God, and witness against corruption and injustice and be witnesses for that which brings righteousness and good to society.
8. Christ’s Triumph. We believe that God will someday bring history and his purposes to a final consummation. When Christ returns the dead in Christ will be raised and together with the living believers they will be transformed and will reign with Christ in the new Earth. In the end, all evil powers will be defeated, and while the ungodly shall suffer eternal punishment, the saints shall enjoy eternal life in the presence of God.
