Our Christian Beliefs
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. We believe in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as being inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and to be the final authority for life and faith.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6, Proverbs 30:5
The Trinity
God eternally exists as three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, and there is one God.
Matthew 28:18-19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2
The Father
God the Father rules in a sovereign yet personal way over His creation, judges justly according to His holiness, and compassionately reconciles a lost world to Himself. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Exodus 4:22, 34:6-7; Psalm 45:6-7; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:1
The Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. While living on Earth, Jesus was both fully man and fully God. He is the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity. Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to overcome sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Isaiah 53:12; Luke 1:31-35; John 1:1-2, 14, 18; Colossians 1:19.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and works in and through the church, gifting us to accomplish God’s purposes. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives gifts to believers to be used for the mission of Christ. As Christians, we seek to live under His empowerment and direction daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11,13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18
Mankind and Sin
People are the supreme object of God’s creation. They were created in the image of God, but we fell out of relationship with God through sin and became separated from God. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2 Genesis 3; Romans 3:23, 5:6-12, 6:23
The Work of Jesus
Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, then died on a cross for our sins. Following his crucifixion, Jesus defeated death by rising from the dead three days later.
Matthew 27, 28; Romans 8:3, 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Salvation
Salvation is a free gift from God by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. All who are saved are kept secure in Christ forever and are both saved from the penalty of our sin and given the promise of eternal life.
John 10:27-30; 14:6; Galatians 2:20-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life with Him on the new earth.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 2 Corinthians 2:7-9
Future Things
Jesus will physically return to establish His kingdom in all the world, making all things new. All humanity will then experience a physical resurrection; believers to eternity with God and unbelievers to eternity apart from Him.
Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Hebrews 9:27-28