STATEMENT OF FAITH
GOD: I believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe in God the Father, the Creator and Sustainer of this universe, who in His infinite wisdom and love planned the redemption of mankind and accomplished it through Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, was crucified for our sins, rose from the dead and was exalted to the right hand of God. I believe in the Holy Spirit who effects redemption in the lives of those who believe in Christ. He convicts, guides, teaches, rebukes, indwells, empowers, comforts, intercedes, unites believers into one body, and glorifies Christ.
Gen. 1; Deut. 6:4-6; Ps. 139; Is. 40; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 1:1, 18; 4:24; 15:26; Rom. 8:1-17, 26-27; 2Cor. 3:17; 5;19; 13:14; Phil. 2:6-8; 1Tim. 3;16; 6:15-16; Heb. 11:6; Jude 2-5.
Gen. 1; Deut. 6:4-6; Ps. 139; Is. 40; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 1:1, 18; 4:24; 15:26; Rom. 8:1-17, 26-27; 2Cor. 3:17; 5;19; 13:14; Phil. 2:6-8; 1Tim. 3;16; 6:15-16; Heb. 11:6; Jude 2-5.
THE REVELATION OF GOD: I believe that God has made His power and deity known in creation. He revealed Himself also in word and deed in the Old Testament. He revealed Himself supremely and finally in the Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. I believe that all Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God as men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit. I accept the entire Bible to be the infallible Word of God and the final, complete and authoritative guide for the faith and life of Christian discipleship.
Ps. 19; 119:105;Lk. 24:27, 44; Rom. 1:18-23; 2Tim 3:15-17; 2Pet. 1:16-21; Heb. 1:1-2; 8:5-13
MAN AND SIN: I believe that man was created in the image of God, sinless and in fellowship with God, with a free will to make moral choices. By sinning he brought death upon the whole human race. As a consequence people are sinful by nature, guilty before God and in need of forgiveness and restoration.
Gen. 1:27; 3:1-19; Mt. 19:13-15; Rom. 3:10-18; 5:12; 18:21; Eph. 2:1-3.
SALVATION BY GRACE: I believe that there is one God and Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ, who by his substitutionary death has redeemed humanity from the power of sin, death and eternal punishment. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, and by faith alone. Those who repent receive forgiveness of sins and by the power of the Holy Spirit are born into the family of God, and, as faithful disciples, joyfully obey God’s Word. Christians are to treat people of other faiths with respect, but urgently proclaim Christ as the only way of salvation.
Acts 2:42, 46; Eph. 1;13-14; 2:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 4:12; 9:15-28; 1Jn. 1:9; Jn 14;6; Acts 4:12; Rom 1:18-24; Rom 2;1-16.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: I believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and transforms him or her into the image of Christ and enables the believer to witness to his or her Lord in daily life. The Christian lives in fellowship with God and other believers. The believer contributes to the building of the body of Christ with his or her material and spiritual gifts. By the means of grace provided by Christ, the believer seeks to grow to maturity as this is expressed particularly in the “fruit of the Spirit.” Since the believer’s body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” he or she refrains from those things which harm the body and the mind. In striving for perfection the believer recognizes his or her complete dependence on God and, is constantly in need of His forgiving and cleansing grace.
Mt. 5:14-16; Jn. 12:26; 15:4-5; Rom. 6; 8:9-16; 12; 1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 2:1-4; 4:1-16; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 12:14; 1 Jn. 3:17-18.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST: I believe that the church was established through Christ’s redemptive work in history, and that it is comprised of all who put their faith in Him and who are baptized by the Spirit into one body, regardless of nation, race or social class. Despite the diversity in congregations and denominations, the Holy Spirit creates unity among all the people of God.
Mt. 18:15-35; Jn. 13:1-17; Jn. 17-21; Acts. 2:38-44; 15:1-28; 1 Cor. 12-14; 2 Cor. 2:6-8; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:10-22; 5:21, 25-27; 1 Thess. 5:11, 14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; Rev. 5:9
OUR MISSION: I believe that the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation”, and that the command to make disciples of all nations is my primary task. Every member of God's kingdom here on earth is called to participate in this mission as he/she is enabled by God’s grace.
Mt. 2:23; 11:5; 28:19-20; Acts. 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-20.
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM: I believe that Christians should be baptized in water upon confession of their faith in Christ. Baptism is a public declaration that the believer identifies with Christ and has become part of His body, the church.
Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:2-6; Col. 2:12-13; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 Pet. 3:21
MARRIAGE AND THE CHRISTIAN HOME: I believe that God instituted marriage. Marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman. Believers who marry should have a common Christian commitment; a believer should not marry an unbeliever. I believe that divorce, adultery and homosexuality constitute a violation of God’s intention for marriage. I do not condone same sex marriage or homosexual lifestyles. Christian parents should nurture their children through exemplary living, prayer, worship, instruction in God’s Word, and godly discipline.
Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18-24; Prov. 5:18-19; Mal. 2:13-16; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:4-9; 1 Cor. 7:10-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:22-23; 6:4; Heb. 13:4; Rom 1:18-32.
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY: Christians are obligated to speak the truth at all times. As a witness to our integrity we affirm that we will tell the truth at all times in keeping with what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
Mt. 5:33-37; 23:1-12; Jn. 18:19-23; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:6-13; James 5:12.
THE STATE: I believe that God has instituted the state. My chief concern and primary allegiance, however, is to Christ’s kingdom. I pray for our government, respect those in authority, pay taxes, obey all laws not in conflict with the Word of God, and witness against corruption and injustice in society.
Mt. 22:17-21; Acts 4:19; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-6; 1 Pet. 2:13-14.
LOVE AND PEACE: I believe that Christians should live by the law of love and practice forgiveness of enemies as taught and exemplified by Jesus. I seek to be an agent of reconciliation; my bond with other followers of Jesus transcends all racial, social and national barriers.
I view violence as contradictory to the new nature of the Christian. In times of national conscription or war, we will teach and encourage alternate service where possible.
Ex. 20:1-17; Mt. 5:17-28, 38-45; Rom. 12:19-21; 13:8-10; 1 Pet. 2:19-23.
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE: I believe that God is creator and giver of life, and highly values each person. Procedures designed to take human life are wrong. I oppose all attitudes which devalue human life, especially the defenseless lives of the unborn, disabled, poor, aging and dying.
Gen 1:26-27, 2:7; Exod 20:13; Job 31:15; Ps 139:13-16; Amos 1-2; Matt 6:25-27, 25:31-46; John 10:11.
CHRIST'S FINAL TRIUMPH: I believe that God will some day bring His purposes to a final consummation. I believe that Christ will return visibly, personally and bodily. When Christ returns the dead in Christ will be raised bodily and together with the living believers they will be bodily transformed and they shall be forever with the Lord. In the end all evil powers will be defeated and whereas the ungodly shall suffer eternal punishment, the saints shall enjoy eternal bliss in the presence of God.
Is. 2:4; 61:1-11; Mt. 25:13, 31-46; Mk. 9:43-48; Lk. 16:22-23; Jn. 5:25-29; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:21-58; Phil. 1:21-24; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Tit. 2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:3-13; Rev. 1:15, 20-22.
Ps. 19; 119:105;Lk. 24:27, 44; Rom. 1:18-23; 2Tim 3:15-17; 2Pet. 1:16-21; Heb. 1:1-2; 8:5-13
MAN AND SIN: I believe that man was created in the image of God, sinless and in fellowship with God, with a free will to make moral choices. By sinning he brought death upon the whole human race. As a consequence people are sinful by nature, guilty before God and in need of forgiveness and restoration.
Gen. 1:27; 3:1-19; Mt. 19:13-15; Rom. 3:10-18; 5:12; 18:21; Eph. 2:1-3.
SALVATION BY GRACE: I believe that there is one God and Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ, who by his substitutionary death has redeemed humanity from the power of sin, death and eternal punishment. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, and by faith alone. Those who repent receive forgiveness of sins and by the power of the Holy Spirit are born into the family of God, and, as faithful disciples, joyfully obey God’s Word. Christians are to treat people of other faiths with respect, but urgently proclaim Christ as the only way of salvation.
Acts 2:42, 46; Eph. 1;13-14; 2:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 4:12; 9:15-28; 1Jn. 1:9; Jn 14;6; Acts 4:12; Rom 1:18-24; Rom 2;1-16.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: I believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and transforms him or her into the image of Christ and enables the believer to witness to his or her Lord in daily life. The Christian lives in fellowship with God and other believers. The believer contributes to the building of the body of Christ with his or her material and spiritual gifts. By the means of grace provided by Christ, the believer seeks to grow to maturity as this is expressed particularly in the “fruit of the Spirit.” Since the believer’s body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” he or she refrains from those things which harm the body and the mind. In striving for perfection the believer recognizes his or her complete dependence on God and, is constantly in need of His forgiving and cleansing grace.
Mt. 5:14-16; Jn. 12:26; 15:4-5; Rom. 6; 8:9-16; 12; 1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 2:1-4; 4:1-16; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 12:14; 1 Jn. 3:17-18.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST: I believe that the church was established through Christ’s redemptive work in history, and that it is comprised of all who put their faith in Him and who are baptized by the Spirit into one body, regardless of nation, race or social class. Despite the diversity in congregations and denominations, the Holy Spirit creates unity among all the people of God.
Mt. 18:15-35; Jn. 13:1-17; Jn. 17-21; Acts. 2:38-44; 15:1-28; 1 Cor. 12-14; 2 Cor. 2:6-8; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:10-22; 5:21, 25-27; 1 Thess. 5:11, 14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; Rev. 5:9
OUR MISSION: I believe that the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation”, and that the command to make disciples of all nations is my primary task. Every member of God's kingdom here on earth is called to participate in this mission as he/she is enabled by God’s grace.
Mt. 2:23; 11:5; 28:19-20; Acts. 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-20.
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM: I believe that Christians should be baptized in water upon confession of their faith in Christ. Baptism is a public declaration that the believer identifies with Christ and has become part of His body, the church.
Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:2-6; Col. 2:12-13; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 Pet. 3:21
MARRIAGE AND THE CHRISTIAN HOME: I believe that God instituted marriage. Marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman. Believers who marry should have a common Christian commitment; a believer should not marry an unbeliever. I believe that divorce, adultery and homosexuality constitute a violation of God’s intention for marriage. I do not condone same sex marriage or homosexual lifestyles. Christian parents should nurture their children through exemplary living, prayer, worship, instruction in God’s Word, and godly discipline.
Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18-24; Prov. 5:18-19; Mal. 2:13-16; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:4-9; 1 Cor. 7:10-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:22-23; 6:4; Heb. 13:4; Rom 1:18-32.
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY: Christians are obligated to speak the truth at all times. As a witness to our integrity we affirm that we will tell the truth at all times in keeping with what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
Mt. 5:33-37; 23:1-12; Jn. 18:19-23; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:6-13; James 5:12.
THE STATE: I believe that God has instituted the state. My chief concern and primary allegiance, however, is to Christ’s kingdom. I pray for our government, respect those in authority, pay taxes, obey all laws not in conflict with the Word of God, and witness against corruption and injustice in society.
Mt. 22:17-21; Acts 4:19; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-6; 1 Pet. 2:13-14.
LOVE AND PEACE: I believe that Christians should live by the law of love and practice forgiveness of enemies as taught and exemplified by Jesus. I seek to be an agent of reconciliation; my bond with other followers of Jesus transcends all racial, social and national barriers.
I view violence as contradictory to the new nature of the Christian. In times of national conscription or war, we will teach and encourage alternate service where possible.
Ex. 20:1-17; Mt. 5:17-28, 38-45; Rom. 12:19-21; 13:8-10; 1 Pet. 2:19-23.
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE: I believe that God is creator and giver of life, and highly values each person. Procedures designed to take human life are wrong. I oppose all attitudes which devalue human life, especially the defenseless lives of the unborn, disabled, poor, aging and dying.
Gen 1:26-27, 2:7; Exod 20:13; Job 31:15; Ps 139:13-16; Amos 1-2; Matt 6:25-27, 25:31-46; John 10:11.
CHRIST'S FINAL TRIUMPH: I believe that God will some day bring His purposes to a final consummation. I believe that Christ will return visibly, personally and bodily. When Christ returns the dead in Christ will be raised bodily and together with the living believers they will be bodily transformed and they shall be forever with the Lord. In the end all evil powers will be defeated and whereas the ungodly shall suffer eternal punishment, the saints shall enjoy eternal bliss in the presence of God.
Is. 2:4; 61:1-11; Mt. 25:13, 31-46; Mk. 9:43-48; Lk. 16:22-23; Jn. 5:25-29; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:21-58; Phil. 1:21-24; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Tit. 2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:3-13; Rev. 1:15, 20-22.
