Statement of Faith

We believe the Holy Bible is the living Word of God; true, ¹immutable, and unchanging as its Author, the Lord Jehovah. Written by holy men ²inspired by the Holy Spirit, it is the ³light guiding humanity from sin to righteousness, the mirror revealing Christ, the plumb line of truth, and the sword convicting of sin. ⁴Breathed by the Spirit, it brings healing, unity, and life. The Bible is the ⁵loving call of God, the warning of judgment, the signpost to Heaven, and the ⁶divine and eternal standard by which all will be judged.

Scripture References
1. (Mt. 24:35)
2. (Ps. 119:89)
3. (2 Tim. 3:16,17)(Ps. 119:105)
4. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
5. (Jn.5:39)
6. (2 Tim. 2:15) (Phil. 3:16) (Also, 1 Jn.4:1; Is.8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Jn.4:6; Jude 3; Eph. 6:17; Ps. 119:59,60; Phil. 1:9-11).

We believe there is ¹one true and living God; the Creator of heaven, earth, and all that exists; the Alpha and Omega, eternal and unchanging. He is infinitely holy, mighty, loving, and worthy of all worship, honor, trust, and obedience. Within the unity of the Godhead are three persons; equal in every divine perfection; working in perfect harmony in redemption.

The Father — Whose glory no mortal can ²behold and live, yet whose heart of love ³gave His only Son to redeem and reconcile humanity to Himself.

The Son — ⁴Co-eternal with the Father, ⁵conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, who took on human form, bore our sin, and shed His blood for our redemption. He rose victorious from the grave, ascended into heaven, and ⁶intercedes as the mediator between God and man.

The Holy Spirit — The ⁷third person of the Trinity, omnipotent and omnipresent, who ⁸convicts of sin, draws sinners to Christ, comforts, guides, teaches, empowers, and prepares believers for the Lord’s return.

Scripture References
1. (Is. 43:10) (Is. 44:8)
2. (Ex. 33:20)
3. (Jn. 3:16)
4. (Jn. 1:1-3) (Also Job 38:4-7)
5. (Mt. 1:23)
6. (Is. 43:11) (1 Tim.:2:5, 6a) (Eph. 2:18)
7. (1 Jn. 5:7)
8. (Jn. 15:26) (Also, 2 Cor. 13:14; Mt. 28:19; Rom. 8:11; Jn. 16:7-14)

We believe that humanity was ¹created in the image of God and originally walked in holiness and purity. Through voluntary disobedience, mankind fell from innocence into sin, and ²as a result, all people are sinners under the power of Satan, ³not by force but by choice ⁴corrupt in nature, devoid of the holiness God’s law requires, and inclined toward evil. All are ⁵guilty, without excuse, and deserving of the just condemnation of a holy God.

Scripture References
1. (Gn. 1:27)
2. (Rom. 5:12) (Rom. 5:19) Also, Jn.3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19;8:7)
3. (Is. 53:6) (Also, Gen. 6:12; 3:9-19)
4. (Eph. 2:3) (See Rom. 1:18,32; 2:1-16; Mt. 20:15; Gal. 3:10; Ez.18:19,20)
5. (Rom. 1:20) (Rom. 3:19) (Also, Gal. 3:22)

We believe that ¹while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, the Just for the unjust, ²freely and by the Father’s divine will, taking our place, bearing our sins, and enduring our condemnation and death. ³He fully paid the penalty for sin and sealed with His blood the pardon of all who believe in Him. ⁴Through simple faith in the atonement accomplished at Calvary, ⁵even the vilest sinner can be cleansed from all iniquity and made whiter than snow.

Scripture References
1. (Is. 53:5)
2. (Titus 2:14)
3. (Is. 55:7)
4. (Heb. 7:25)
5. (Is. 1:18)

We believe that ¹salvation is entirely by grace, ²not through any righteousness or ³goodness of our own. ⁴We cannot earn God’s favor but must rely completely on the ⁵unfailing mercy and love of the One who redeemed us with His blood. ⁶We come trusting in the merits and righteousness of Christ alone, standing on His Word and receiving the ⁷free gift of His love and pardon.

Scripture References
1. (Eph. 2:8)
2. (Rom. 3:10)
3. (Rom. 3:23)
4. (Is. 64:6)
5. (Jn. 6:47)
6. (Eph. 2:13)
7. (Rom. 6:23)

We believe that ¹through sincere repentance, godly sorrow for sin, and wholehearted faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, all who call upon Him are ²justified by faith through His precious blood. ³In place of condemnation, they receive ⁴peace, assurance, and favor with God. With open arms of mercy, the Savior stands ready to receive every penitent who, in genuine contrition and ⁵humble prayer, opens the door of the heart and accepts Him as Lord and King.

Scripture References
1. (1 Jn. 1:9)
2. (Rom. 5:1,2)
3. (Rom. 8:1)
4. (Lk. 1:77-79)
5. (Jn. 6:37)

We believe that the change which occurs in the heart and life at conversion is real and transforming, ¹that the sinner is born again in such a glorious way ²that old things pass away and all things become new. What was once desired is now despised, and what was once despised is now cherished as sacred. ³Clothed in the righteousness of Christ and indwelt by His Spirit, the believer receives new desires, aspirations, and a new view of life, time, and eternity, ⁴so that the heart longs to confess Christ openly and to seek the things that are above.

Scripture References
1. (Jn. 3:3)
2. (2 Cor. 5:17)
3. (Gal. 2:20) (Rom. 3:24,25)
4. (Ps. 1:1,2)

We believe that, having been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and having received the witness of the Holy Spirit at conversion, ¹it is God’s will that we be sanctified daily and ²become partakers of His holiness. ³We are to grow continually in faith, power, prayer, love, and service, first as infants desiring the pure milk of the Word, ⁴then as children walking humbly and seeking the hidden life ⁵where self decreases and Christ increases, and finally as mature believers clothed in the armor of God, ⁶advancing in His name under His blood-stained banner, living patient, sober, unselfish, and godly lives that reflect Christ within.

Scripture References
1. (1 Thess. 4:3) (1 Thess. 5:23)
2. (2 Cor. 7:1)
3. (Prov. 4:18)
4. (Heb. 6:1)
5. (Rom. 8:5)
6. (Is. 35:8) (Also, 1 Peter 2:2)

We believe that water baptism, ¹in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord, is a sacred outward sign of an inward work. It symbolizes that, just as Christ died on the cross, ²we are now dead to sin, our old nature crucified with Him, and that, as He was buried, ³we are buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, as He was raised by the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

We also believe in ⁴observing the Lord’s Supper, partaking of the bread that represents His broken body and the cup that signifies His shed blood, remembering Christ our true vine. This ordinance bridges the time between Calvary and His coming again, when He will drink anew with His people in the Father’s kingdom. The observance of this sacrament should always be preceded by ⁵self-examination, forgiveness, and love toward all, that none partake unworthily or bring judgment upon themselves.

Scripture References
1. (Mt. 28:19) (Also, Acts 2:37,38; Gal. 3:27,28)
2. (Rom. 6:4) (Also, Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20,21; Acts 22:16)
3. (Acts 2:41) (Also, Mt. 28:19,20)
4. (1 Cor. 11:26) (1 Cor. 11:28)
5. (2 Cor. 13:5)

We believe that the baptism of ¹the Holy Spirit is the coming of the promised Comforter in glorious fullness, ²empowering believers from on high to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus, to speak boldly of Him, to cultivate prayer, holiness, and self-control, and to equip both individuals and the Church for joyful, Spirit-filled service and effective witness. Since this remains the age of the Holy Spirit, believers may rightly expect His coming in the same ³manner as He did upon ⁴Jews and Gentiles alike in Scripture, ⁵as recorded in the Word, so that it may be said of us as of the house of Cornelius, ⁶the Holy Spirit fell on them as on us at the beginning.

Scripture References
1. (Jn.14:16,17)
2. (Acts 1:5,8)
3. (Acts 2:4)
4. (Acts 8:17)
5. (Acts 10:44-46)
6. (Acts 19:6) (1 Cor. 3:16)

We believe that while the Holy Spirit moves like a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire, stirring hearts and transforming communities, He is also as a gentle dove, ¹easily grieved by irreverence, coldness, careless speech, pride, a critical spirit, and ²any thought or action that dishonors the Lord Jesus. Therefore, it is God’s will that we ³live and walk in the Spirit continually, under the cleansing power of Christ’s blood, ⁴walking humbly in His presence, being patient, ⁵loving, truthful, sincere, prayerful, content, and steadfast in serving the Lord in every season.

Scripture References
1. (Eph. 4:30-32) (Eph. 6:18)
2. (Rom. 12:1,2)
3. (1 Jn. 2:6)
4. (Gal. 5:16,25)
5. (1 Cor. 3:17)

We believe that the Holy Spirit grants ¹gifts to the believing Church, including ²wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. These gifts are distributed to each believer according to the measure of grace and faith, as the Spirit wills. They should be earnestly desired and pursued, ³in the order and measure that most edify and benefit the Church. We also believe that the ⁴fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, must be ⁵nurtured, cultivated, and guarded as the true and lasting evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

Scripture References
1. (1 Cor. 12:1,31) (1 Cor. 12:11)
102. (1 Cor. 14:12)
(Rom. 11:29)
3. (Rom. 12:6-8)
4. (Jn. 15:8)
5. (Lk. 3:9)

We believe that ¹the moderation of every believer should be evident to all. The Christian’s life and conduct should not lead to ²extremes, fanaticism, ³improper behavior, criticism, or complaint, but should reflect a ⁴steady, gracious, forgiving, and zealous faith marked by humility, self-sacrifice, and Christlike character.

Scripture References
1. (Phil. 4:5)
2. (Eph. 4:14,15)
3. (1 Cor. 13:5)
4. (Col. 3:12,13)

We believe that divine healing is the power of the Lord Jesus Christ ¹to heal the sick and afflicted in response to believing prayer. He who is the same ²yesterday, today, and forever ³remains the all-sufficient help in every need, able to renew and strengthen both body and soul. This healing is granted in response to the ⁴faith of those who ⁵pray in humble submission to His divine and sovereign will.

Scripture References
1. (Mt. 8:17)
2. (Mt. 9:5)
3. (Mk. 16:17,18)
4. (Acts 4:29,30)
5. (James 5:14-16)

We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent, and that He will return ¹in the clouds of glory with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. At that moment, the dead in Christ will rise, and ²believers who are alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, to be with Him forever. Since a thousand years is as a day to the Lord, and ³no one knows the hour of His return, which we believe to be near, each day should be lived in readiness, ⁴expecting His coming at any moment. Yet, in obedience to His command to ⁵“Occupy till I come,” the work of evangelism, missions, and the building of the Church ⁶must continue with diligence and faithfulness, as though Christ’s return were still generations away.

Scripture References
1. (1 Thess. 4:16,17)
2. (Titus 2:12,13)
3. (Mt. 24:36,42,44)
4. (Heb. 9:28)
5. (Lk. 19:13)
6. (Lk. 12:35-37)

We believe that all who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and King, and have been born into His family and the invisible Church, are called ¹to unite with and ²labor diligently for the growth of God’s kingdom through the ³visible Church of Christ on earth. This visible Church is a fellowship of believers joined together in the ⁴unity of the Spirit, observing Christ’s ordinances, worshiping in holiness, ⁵encouraging one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, proclaiming His Word, seeking the salvation of souls, giving generously to His work, strengthening one another in faith, and serving in harmony as members of one body, with Christ as the Head.

Scripture References
1. (Ps. 111:1)
2. (Heb. 10:24,25)
3. (Acts 2:47) (Acts. 16:5)
4. (Rom. 12:5) (Also, Rom. 12:6-8)
5. (Mal. 3:16,17)

We believe that civil government is a ¹divine institution established for the good and order of human society. Governing authorities are to be prayed for, respected, and obeyed, except in ²matters that conflict with the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the ³ruler of the conscience and ⁴the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Scripture References
1. (Rom. 13:1,3) (Also, Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex.18:21-23; Jer. 30:21)
2. (Acts 5:29) (Mt. 10:28) (Also Dan. 3:15-18;6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20)
3. (Mt. 23:10)
4. (Rev. 19:16) (Also, Ps. 72:11, Rom. 14:9-13)

We believe that all the dead, both great and small, will be raised and stand with the living before the ¹judgment seat of God. At that time, a solemn separation will occur: the ²wicked will be sentenced to everlasting punishment, and the righteous will receive eternal life. This judgment will forever determine the final state of every person in heaven or in hell, according to the righteous standards revealed in God’s Word.

Scripture References
1. (2 Cor. 5:10)
2. (Mt. 13:41-43)

We believe that Heaven is the ¹glorious dwelling place of the living God, and that Christ has ²gone there to prepare a place for His children. In that eternal city, whose builder and maker is God, believers who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and have overcome by their testimony will be received. The Lord Jesus Christ will present them to the Father without spot or wrinkle, and they will experience unending joy in His presence, where there is no ³darkness or sorrow, ⁴no tears or pain, and ⁵no death. There, angels worship continually, singing praises to our King and crying, “Holy, holy, holy.”

Scripture References
1. (1 Cor. 2:9)
2. (Jn. 14:2)
3. (Rev. 22:5)
4. (Rev. 21:4)
5. (Rev. 7:15-17)

We believe that hell is a place of outer darkness and deepest sorrow, where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. It was prepared for the devil and his angels and is a place of weeping, ¹wailing, and gnashing of teeth, of grief and eternal regret for those who have rejected the mercy and love of the crucified Savior, choosing death rather than life. Into this ²lake of fire and brimstone will be cast the ³unbelieving, the wicked, the murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, liars, and all who ⁴have refused the love and sacrifice of the Redeemer, ⁵rejecting every plea and warning of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References
1. (Mt. 13:41,42)
2. (Rev. 20:10,15)
3. (Rev. 14:10,11)
4. (Mt. 25:41) (Mk. 9:43,44)
5. (Ezekiel 33:11)

We believe that since all things will one day be dissolved and the end is near, the redeemed ¹should rise and shine as lights in the world, like a city on a hill, ²proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth and declaring with zeal the full counsel of God. When the Lord of Glory appears, His people should be found faithful, their lives adorned with the precious ³souls they have helped lead ⁴from darkness into light. We affirm that soul winning is ⁵the primary mission of the Church on earth, and that every weight or distraction hindering ⁶worldwide evangelism must be set aside, for such things are ⁷harmful to the cause of Christ and contrary to ⁸the Great Commission given by our Lord.

Scripture References
1. (2 Tim. 4:1,2)
2. (Eph. 5:16)
3. (Prov. 11:30)
4. (James 5:20)
5. (Ezekiel 3:17,18)
6. (Jn. 4:35-37)
7. (Mt. 9:38)
8. (Mk. 16:15)

We believe that God has ordained tithing as His method for sustaining His ministry and advancing the gospel. This practice not only meets the material needs of the Church but also strengthens the faith and spiritual life of believers, bringing the blessing promised in Malachi 3:10. We also affirm the importance of giving and freewill offerings, which are commanded by the Lord and practiced as part of His plan for both the provision of His Church and the spiritual growth of His people. As taught in Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:7, giving should be done willingly and joyfully, for “God loves a cheerful giver,” and it is “more blessed to give than to receive.”

Scripture Reference
(1 Cor. 16:1,2)

We believe that God established His design for gender, family, and sexuality at creation and reaffirmed it throughout Scripture. God created humanity as biologically male and female, ¹distinct yet complementary, to unite in marriage and form the foundation of the family. These two God-given genders, rooted in biological sex, are not interchangeable. 2Marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, ordained by God to reflect His relationship with His people and to fulfill His purposes on earth. Therefore, 3all sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage is sin, falling short of God’s perfect design. We affirm that sex is a sacred gift from God, 4to be expressed and enjoyed only within the covenant of marriage as He has defined it.

Scripture Reference
1. (Gen 1:26-28, 2:18-24); (Deut 22:5)
2. (Mal 2:13-16); (Matt 19:4-9)
3. (1 Cor 6:9-11, 18)
4. (Eph 5:21-33)