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The Word of God

The Bible is God’s Word to us. The Holy Spirit of God directed human authors to write down just what He wanted. When the Bible was originally written, it was without error. The Bible is true and trustworthy, instructing us how to please God and find meaning and fulfillment. (Mk 13:31; Jn 8:31-32; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21)

The Trinity

There is only one true God, and God exists in three persons. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equally deserving of worship and honor. The three persons of the Trinity have distinct, but complimentary roles in the fulfillment of God’s flawless plan. (Gen 1:1,26; Deut. 6:4; Matt 28:19; Jn 1:1,3; 4:24; Rom 1:19-20; Eph 4:5-6)

The Father

The Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is infinite (having no beginning or end), yet He wants to interact with you on a personal level. The Father is perfect in every quality and virtue. He has the power and integrity to keep all of His promises. (Matt 23:9; Lk 10:21-22; Jn 3:16;6:27; Rom 1:7; 1 Tim 1:1-2; 2:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6)

The Son, Jesus Christ

Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He is the unique Son of God who always existed with the Father. Jesus entered human history; God became man, and was born to Mary while she was still a virgin. Jesus was born and lived free from sin. He performed miracles and taught with authority, giving evidence of His position in the Trinity. Jesus was murdered by being nailed to a cross. He died willingly and His blood provides the perfect and only sacrifice for sin. Jesus was buried in a tomb. Three days after His death He came back to life, demonstrating the greatest evidence that His sacrifice for sin was accepted by the Father. Jesus returned to heaven and is a representative for mankind in the presence of the Father. (Matt 1:18-25; 20:28; Lk 1:26-38; Jn 1:1; 20:28,30-31; Acts 1:11; Rom 5:6-8; 6:9-10; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:4-5; 1 Pet 2:21-24; Heb 7:25; 9:28)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the One who shows people how they violate God’s standard of perfection. He shows them what is good and right and lets them know there will some day be a judgment. He gives God’s people spiritual life and special abilities for service. The Holy Spirit lives in every person who has their sins forgiven by Jesus Christ. He is consistent in His help, teaching and causing people to change from the inside out. (Jn 3:6-8; 14:14-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-14; Rom 8:8, 13-14, 26; 12:4-8; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:11,19; 12:1-31; Gal 4:29; 5:18; Eph 3:16; 4:1-13; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 1:7; Tit 3:5; Rom 15:16)

Spiritual Birth

Every person has broken God’s standard of perfection. Every person has sinned. We have chosen to do things that are wrong and we have inherited an inner nature from our forefathers that has been in violation of God’s standard since the first person, Adam. Sin requires death which is why Jesus died on the cross. Jesus gave His own blood to provide the only way of forgiveness. When the Holy Spirit shows a person that the blood of Jesus Christ is the only satisfactory price for sin, He also gives the power to turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ for new life, bringing that person forever into God’s family. We believe those who turn from their sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are given new and eternal life. (Gen 1:26; 2:17; 3:19; 5:2; Psa 51:7; Prov 28:13; Ecc 2:11; Jer 17:9; Jn 1:12-13; 3:14; 5:24,30; 8:12; 10:26-28; Rom 3:19-20; 5:19; 8:1-17; 9:14-24; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Thess 1:9; 2:13; Tit 3:5-7; 1 Jn 1:9; Jam 1:14; Rev 20:10, 14-15; 21:1-8)

The Church

The Church is people and includes everyone who has experienced spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who are followers of Jesus Christ also come together to form local churches who worship, serve and grow together. We grow in relationship to God through the study and application of His Word, which also leads us to love one another. Jesus is head of the Church. The Church is to do the things Jesus gave us to do and help others learn about the Good News of forgiveness and life in Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; 2:41-42; Eph 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Col 1:18; Heb 10:23-25)

How Christians should live

Christians have the privilege of living free of the control of sin that had us trapped before the Holy Spirit gave us new life. We can now make progress in living in a way that makes God happy, maintains our freedom and lets others know God does change lives! It is for our best that we learn to live what the Bible teaches. As we grow we will see God changing our character to be more like the character of Jesus. People around us will see that God really is good. (Jn 14:15, 23-24; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 9:6-13; Eph 4:13; Col 1:9-10, 28; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Jn 2:3-6)

Two practices Jesus gave the church

Jesus gave the church two “pictures” that remind us and show others what God has done for His people. One is baptism. This “picture” is to tell those around us what God has already done in us. Baptism illustrates dying to our old life, receiving new life and rising from the dead to live as a new creation of God and parallels Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. The new believer is “buried” or submerged in water symbolizing death and then brought up out of the water demonstrating new life in Christ. (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; Rom 6:1-11)

The second “picture” is called communion, or the Lord’s Supper. This is meant to help us remember that Jesus died for us. The family of God shares bread, which is a symbol of Jesus’ body; and wine (or juice), which is symbolic of Jesus’ blood. The Bible tells us to continue this memorial until He returns. (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:17-20; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-26)

We have been given freedom and responsibility

When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in that person and will teach him/her according to the Bible. Each person can speak and relate directly to God and is accountable to God. The local church also has freedom and accountability before God and should not be controlled by any authority other than Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:29; 20:28-32; Rom 14:7-9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20; Eph 2:22; 2 Cor 3:7-18; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 2:5)

The end of time

Some day Jesus Christ will make a visible return to the earth to set up His kingdom. Every person who has ever lived will be brought before God for a final judgment. Those who have not come to faith in Jesus Christ will spend eternity away from the presence of God in Hell, where there is nothing but evil and endless suffering. Those who have experienced spiritual birth (see #6) will live in the presence of God forever. (Matt 16:27; Mk 14:62; Jn 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 4:5; 15:20-24,35-58; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess 4:14-18; 2 Thess 1:6-10; 2 Tim 4:1; Tit 2:13; Rev 20:4-15)

Adopted . . . 02/25/98