We accept the Bible, including the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, as the written Word of God. The Bible is the only essential and infallible record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind. It leads us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Being given by God, the Scriptures are both fully and verbally inspired by God. Therefore, as originally given, the Bible is free of error in all it teaches. Each book is to be interpreted according to its context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the Lord who speaks through it in living power. All believers are exhorted to study the Scriptures and diligently apply them to their lives. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. Every doctrinal formulation, whether of creed, confession, or theology, must be put to the test of the full counsel of God in Holy Scripture. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9; 18:15-22; Psalm 19, 119; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 24:25-27, 24:44-49; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; 2Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2;  4:12; James 1:19-21; 1Peter 1:10-12; 2Peter 1:3, 1:19-21, 3:15-16; Revelation 22:18-19)

There is one God: infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth, and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal. The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Spirit, yet each is truly Deity. One God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—is the foundation of Christian faith and life. (Genesis 1:2, 26; 3:22; 11:7; Psalm 2; 110:1; Isaiah 6:8; 45:5-6; 63:10; Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:1-18; 3:16-21; 14:26; 17:24; Acts 1:1-11; Romans 8:27-39; 1Corinthians 12:4-6; 2Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:3-14; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:11-20; Hebrews 7:25; 1Peter 1:2; 1John 2:1; Jude 20-21; Revelation 5)

God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth. By His Word and for His glory, He freely and supernaturally created the world from nothing. Through the same Word He daily sustains all His creatures. He rules over all and is the only Sovereign. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. He is faithful to every promise, works all things together for good to those who love Him, and in His unfathomable grace gave His Son, Jesus Christ, for mankind’s redemption. He made man for fellowship with Himself, and intended that all creation should live to the praise of His glory.  (Exodus 4:22-23; Isaiah 45:5-6; 46:10; Hosea 1:11; Matthew 3:13-17; 6:9-10; 17:1-13; John 6:44; 17:1-26; 1Corinthians 15:28; Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:14-15; Colossians 1:12; James 1:13; 1Peter 1:2)

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was the eternal Word made flesh, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He was perfect in nature, teaching, and obedience. He is fully God and fully man. He was always with God and is God. Through Him all things came into being and were created. He was before all things and in Him all things hold together by the word of His power. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, and in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is the only Savior for the sins of the world, having shed His blood and died a vicarious death on Calvary’s cross. By His death in our place, He revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having redeemed us from sin, the third day He rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death and the powers of darkness, and for a period of 40 days appeared to more than 500 witnesses, performing many convincing proofs of His resurrection. He ascended into heaven where, at God’s right hand, He intercedes for His people and rules as Lord over all. He is the Head of His body, the Church, and should be adored, loved, worshipped, served, and obeyed by all.  (Genesis 3:15; 22:1-18; Psalm 2; Isaiah 11:1-2; 52:13-53:12; Mark 10:45; Luke 4:1-2; John 1:1-18; 3:16-21; 6:44; 14:25-26; 15:26; 17:1-26; Acts 1:1-11; 1Corinthians 15; Ephesians 1:3-14, 20-23; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 1:1-14; 4:14-5:10; 9:11-10:18; 1Peter 1:18-21; Revelation 1:9-20; 5:1-14; 7:9-17; 19:1-21; 20:11-22:21)

The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Through the proclamation of the gospel He persuades men to repent of their sins and confess Jesus as Lord. By the same Spirit a person is led to trust in divine mercy. The Holy Spirit unites believers to Jesus Christ in faith, brings about the new birth, and dwells within the regenerate. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify the Son, who in turn came to glorify the Father. He will lead the Church into a right understanding and rich application of the truth of God’s Word. He is to be respected, honored, and worshipped as God the Third Person of the Trinity. (Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 11:1-2; Ezekiel 36:26-27; 37:1-14; Joel 2; Matthew 3:16-17; 4:1; Luke 24:46-49; John 3: 1-15; 14:24-26; 15:26; 16:12-14; Acts 1:1-11; 10:38; Romans 8:1-39;  1Corinthians 12-14; Galatians 5: 16-25; Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:14-21; 5:18; 1Peter 1:10-12; 2Peter 1:20-21; 1John 4:1-3)

God made man—male and female—in His own image, as the crown of creation, that man might glorify God and have fellowship with Him. Tempted by satan, man rebelled and sinned against God. Being estranged from his Maker, yet responsible to Him, he became subject to divine wrath, inwardly depraved and, apart from a special work of grace, utterly incapable of returning to God. This depravity is radical and pervasive. It extends to his mind, will, and affections. Unregenerate man lives under the dominion of sin and satan. He is at enmity with God, hostile toward God, and hateful of God. Fallen, sinful people, whatever their character or attainments, are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:6-7, 16-24; 6:5; Exodus 20:1-21; Judges 21:25; Psalm 51:1-4; 143:2; Isaiah 43:7; Isaiah 64:6; John 3:1-18; Romans 1:18-23; 3:9-20; 5:18-19; 6:16-23; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 3:1-11; James 1:13-15; 3:1-12; 4:1-12; 1John 1:8-10; Revelation 20:11-15)

Jesus Christ is the gospel. The good news is revealed in His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Christ’s crucifixion is the heart of the gospel, His resurrection is the power of the gospel, and His ascension is the glory of the gospel. Christ’s death is a substitutionary and propitiatory sacrifice to God for our sins. It satisfies the demands of God’s holy justice and appeases His holy wrath. It also demonstrates His mysterious love and reveals His amazing grace. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. There is no other name by which men must be saved. At the heart of all sound doctrine is the cross of Jesus Christ and the infinite privilege that redeemed sinners have of glorifying God because of what He has accomplished. Therefore, we want all that takes place in our hearts, church, and ministries to proceed from and be related to the cross.  (Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Zephaniah 3:17-18; Luke 23-24; John 3:16-21; 5:19-46; 10:1-18; 14:6; 20:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:21-26; 5:1-21; 6:1-23; 8:1-39; 9:1-29; 10:9-10; 1Corinthians 15:1-28, 50-58; 2Corinthians 3:12-5:21; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:1-10; Philippians 2:5-11; 1Timothy 1:12-17; 2:5; 3:14-16; 2Timothy 1:3-18; Hebrews 9; Jude 24-25; Revelation 19-22)

God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, saves people not based on any foreseen merit, works, or faith, but according to His own purpose and grace, and for His own pleasure and glory.  It is also true that the message of the gospel is only effectual to those who genuinely repent of their sins and, by God’s grace, put saving faith in Christ. This gospel of grace is to be sincerely preached to all people in all nations. Biblical repentance is characterized by a changed life, and saving faith is evidenced by kingdom service or works. While neither repentance nor works save, unless a person is willing to deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow Christ, he cannot become His disciple. (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 11:28-29; Luke 9:23-27; 13:1-5; 24:46-47; Mark 1:15; John 3:16-21; 5:19-46; 10:1-18; 15-17; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; Romans 2:4; 3:21-26; 5:1-21; 6:1-23; 8:1-39; 10:9-10; 2Corinthians 7:10; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-25; Colossians 3:1-17; Hebrews 6:1; 1John 1:1-10; 2:7-15; 3:11-4:6; 5:1-21; Revelation 3:19; 5:6-14; 19:1-10)

Salvation, the free gift of God, is provided by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Anyone turning from sin in repentance and looking to Christ and His substitutionary death receives the gift of eternal life and is declared righteous by God as a free gift. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him. He is justified and fully accepted by God. Through Christ’s atonement for sin an individual is reconciled to God as Father and becomes His child through adoption. The believer is forgiven the debt of his sin and, via the miracle of regeneration, liberated from the law of sin and death into the freedom of God’s Spirit. (Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:16-21; 5:39-40; 11:17-27; 14:1-31; 20:30-31; Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-11; 8:1-39; 1Corinthians 15; 2Corinthians 5:11-21; Galatians 4:1-7; 5:1-25; Ephesians 1:3-23; 2:1-10; Colossians 1:3-14; 2:6-15; 3:18-24; Philippians 3:12-4:1; 1Thessalonians 1:2-10; Hebrews 4:11-5:10; 10:19-25; 1Peter 1:3-12; 1John 2:28-3:24)

The Holy Spirit is the active agent in our sanctification and seeks to produce His fruit in us as our minds are renewed and we are conformed to the image of Christ. Though indwelling sin remains a reality, as we are led by the Spirit we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, freely and joyfully keeping His commandments and endeavoring to so live in the world that all people may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. All believers are exhorted to persevere in the faith, knowing they will have to give an account to God for their every thought, word, and deed. The spiritual disciplines, especially Bible study, prayer, worship and confession, are a vital means of grace in this regard. Nevertheless, the believer’s ultimate confidence to persevere is based in the sure promise of God to preserve His people until the end, which is most certain.  (John 15:1-17; 17:17; Romans 6:1-14; 12:1-2; 1Corinthians 2:1-16; 13:1-13; 15:50-58; 2Corinthians 3:12-4:17; 5:11-21; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:15-24; 5:1-33; Philippians 1:3-11; 1:27-2:18; 3:12-4:1; Colossians 1:3-14, 1:24-2:5; 3:1-17; 1Thessalonians 1:2-10; 4:1-12; 2Thessalonians 2:13-17; Titus 2:11-14; 3:1-11; Hebrews 12:1-11; 13:20-21; James 1:2-4; 4:1-12; 5:7-11; 1Peter 1:22-25; 2Peter 1:3-15; 1John 3:2-3; Jude 24-25; Revelation 21:1-8)

In addition to effecting regeneration and sanctification, the Holy Spirit also empowers believers for Christian witness and service.  While all genuine believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at conversion, the New Testament indicates the importance of an ongoing, empowering work of the Spirit following conversion as well.  Being indwelt by the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit are theologically distinct experiences.  The Holy Spirit desires to fill each believer continually with increased power for Christian life and witness and imparts His supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body and for various works of ministry in the world.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit that were at work in the Church in the first century are also at work today, and they are vital for the mission of the church.  (Ezekiel 36:26-27; 37:1-14; Joel 2:28-32; Luke 24:49; John 3:1-15; 6:44, 63; 14:15-31; 16:4-15; Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-47; 21:1-11; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:20-22; 3:14-21; 6:10-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:3-18; 1 Peter 1:2; 2:1-12; 4:1-11; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 17-25)

God by his Word and Spirit creates the Church, calling sinful men out of the whole human race into the fellowship of Christ’s Body. By the same Word and Spirit, He guides and preserves that new redeemed humanity. The Church is not primarily a religious institution or denomination. Rather, the Church universal is made up of those who have become genuine followers of Jesus Christ and have personally appropriated the gospel. The Church exists to worship and glorify God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It also exists to serve Him by faithfully doing His will in the earth. This involves a commitment to see the gospel preached and churches planted in all the world for a testimony. The ultimate mission of the Church is the making of disciples through the preaching of the gospel. When God transforms human nature, this then becomes the chief means of society’s transformation.

Upon conversion, newly redeemed men and women are added to a local church, in which they devote themselves to teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. All members of the Church universal are to be a vital and committed part of a local church. In this context they are called to walk out the New Covenant as the people of God, and demonstrate the reality of the kingdom of God. The ascended Christ has given gift ministries to the church (including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) for the equipping of Christ’s body that it might mature and grow. Through the gift ministries, all members of the Church are to be nurtured and equipped for the work of ministry.  Leadership is called to care for the members of the Church as shepherds, exercising oversight willingly, eagerly, and in a spirit of gentleness and humble servanthood.  In keeping with God’s created design for leadership, elders who exercise leadership within the church must meet the qualifications as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. In the context of the local church, God’s people receive pastoral care and leadership and the opportunity to employ their God-given gifts in His service in relation to one another and to the world. (Deuteronomy 4:10; Matthew 18:15-20; 28:18-20; John 10:16; 17:21; Romans 16:5; Acts 2:1-13; 2:42-47; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 10; 12:28; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 6:14-17; Ephesians 1:12, 22-23; 2:14-22; 3:6; 4:12-16; 5:16-32; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Colossians 1:28; 2:19; 3:16; 4:2-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 1:6-9; Hebrews 3:3-6, 12-14; 10:19-25; 11:4-32; 12:23; 1 Peter 2:4-8; 3:15)

Baptism: Water baptism is intended only for the individual who has received the saving benefits of Christ’s atoning work and become his disciple. Therefore, in obedience to Christ’s command and as a testimony to God, the Church, oneself, and the world, a believer should be immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Water baptism is a visual demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of his death and resurrection.  Baptism does not save but signifies that his former way of life has been put to death, and vividly depicts a person’s release from the mastery of sin.  

The Lord’s Supper (Communion): The Lord’s Supper is to be observed only by those who have become genuine followers of Christ.  Participation in communion does not save, but this ordinance symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of his blood on our behalf, and is to be observed repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a sign of continued participation in the atoning benefits of Christ’s death. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper with an attitude of faith and self-examination, we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with other members of Christ’s body. (Exodus 24:9-11; Deuteronomy 14:23, 26; Matthew 5:23-24; 26:26-29; 28:18-20; Mark 1:5, 10; 16:16; Luke 22:20; John 6:41, 53-57; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36; 10:47-48; 22:16; Romans 6:1-11; 1Corinthians 10:17; 11:20-30; 14:26; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:11-12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9-10; 1Peter 3:21; Revelation 19:9)

The Consummation of all things includes the visible, personal and glorious return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the translation of those alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and the unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ’s kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth. In the Consummation, satan with his hosts and all those outside Christ are finally separated from the benevolent presence of God, enduring eternal punishment, but the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with Him forever. Married to Christ as his Bride, the Church will be in the presence of God forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory. Then shall the eager expectation of creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new. (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Psalm 16:11; 27:4; 73:25-26; Isaiah 43:25; 65:17; 66:22; Matthew 24:3-14, 29-51; 25:21-36; Mark 9:43-48; 13:10, 32-33; Luke 12:2-3; 12:40; 21:25-27; John 5:24-27; 14:2-3; Acts 1:11; 7:55-56; 10:42; Romans 2:5-7; 8:19-21; 11:25-26; 14:10-12; 1Corinthians 3:12-15; 4:5; 15:1-58; 16:22; Philippians 3:12-20; Colossians 3:25; 1Thessalonians 4:16; 5:2; 2Thessalonians 2:1-10; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 1:11-12; 8:12; 9:28; 12:26-27; James 5:8; 1Peter 1:17; 2Peter 3:10-13; 1John 3:2-3; 5:19; Revelation 1:7; 11:18; 19:1-2; 20:1-15; 21:1-22:20)

In light of current cultural erosion of sexual morality, it is essential that the church stand firm on the Bible’s teachings about sexual identity and purity. The holy institution of marriage is to be between one man and one woman for life, as established in God’s creation of man and woman in His image, and in the relationship between Christ and His Church. By “man” and “woman,” we are referring to an individual’s God-given gender as male or female based on his/her genetic and biological make-up at birth. Sexual chastity before, and lifelong fidelity in, a heterosexual marriage embody an abiding divine law which is to guide the faith and life of every Christian and the teachings of this church. Sexual chastity includes abstinence from pornography, adultery, homosexuality, and pre-marital sex; indeed any sexual activity outside of a one man and one woman covenanted marriage relationship. While sexual sin is uniquely serious before God, we affirm the love of God for all who are guilty of sexual sin in any of its forms, and offer the gospel and grace of God to all who will repent of such sins and turn in faith to Christ for their forgiveness and deliverance.  (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25; Matthew 5:27-30, 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Ephesians 5:22-33)

We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity take place outside of a Scriptural marriage. (Gen. 2:24; Gen 19:5-13;Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-33)

The Scriptures teach that human life, which is made in the image of God, begins at conception. This infuses sanctity into all human life from conception to death. This sacredness must afford to the unborn, and to the weak in body or mind of any age, all the rights and protections granted to all other human beings. It is the duty of every Christian to speak for and defend such rights in every way he or she is able. Consistent with the value of human life, which is made in God’s image, all people, including those guilty of capital crimes, should be treated with dignity. (Genesis 1:26-27, 9:6; Psalm 72:1-4, 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:4-5; James 1:27)

If God has not condemned or forbidden a practice in His Word, a Christian may be at liberty to participate in it. The exercise of Christian liberty, however, must at all times be governed by an earnest desire to walk in the fear of God and glorify Him in all things (1 Peter 1:17, 1 Corinthians 10:31), a loving regard for the conscience of the weaker Christians (1 Corinthians 8:9, Romans 15:1-3), a compassion for the lost (1 Corinthians 9:19-22), and a zealous regard for the health of one’s own soul (Romans 13:14, 1 Peter 2:16).