Beliefs:
In essential beliefs — we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit ... there is one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all ... Eph.
4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs — we have
liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters ... Who are you to judge someone else's
servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each
of us will give an account of himself to God ... So whatever
you believe about things keep between yourself and God. Rom.14:1,
4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs — we show love.
... If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but
also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that
can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing
at all. 1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph)
The Essentials We
Believe:
The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired
and without error in the original manuscripts, written under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme
authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally
existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine
perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious
offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption.
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit,
perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that
He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person,
that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin
and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived
by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless
life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary
atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven,
perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible
return to earth.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father
and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment,
and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in
Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every
believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher
and guide.
Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice
and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those
who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior
are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body
of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are
members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company
of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible confession
of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship.
We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local
church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ
to a lost world.
Christian Conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God
and the well-being of others; that their conduct should be
blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards
of their possessions; and that they should seek to realize
for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in
Christ.
The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances
to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe
that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water
into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord's
Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death.
We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and
administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Religious Liberty
We believe that every human being has direct relations with
God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith;
that each church is independent and must be free from interference
by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore
Church and State must be kept separate as having different
functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation
or patronage of the other.
Church Cooperation
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause
of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational
organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or
district conference, exists and functions by the will of the
churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may
be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate
with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary basis.
The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord
Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom.
We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment,
the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering
of the wicked. |