Doctrine

what we believe

The Scriptures

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.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13).

The Trinity

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love.

We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. 
(Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1,2; 2:5,6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6).

God the Son

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man.
(John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
(Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
(Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2).

We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead.
(1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).

God the Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit 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.
(John 16:8–11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).

The Church

We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons.
(Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25–27; 1 Cor. 12:12–14; 2 Cor. 11:2).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.
(Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control.
(Acts 13:1–4; 15:19–31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 1 Cor. 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4).

We recognize believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper as scriptural means of supernatural testimony for the church.
(Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

Spiritual Gifts

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gifts. The baptism of the  Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ.

We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience.
(1 Cor. 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7–8).

We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted.
(John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15)

We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to their gift(s) and the grace of God that is given to them.
(Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins.
(Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19)

Assurance

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever.
(John 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; 1 Peter 1:5)

We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh.
(Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11–15)