FAITH STATEMENT

1. The Scriptures We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and are the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) “...no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) 2. The Trinity We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19 (ESV) 3. The Person of Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is truly God and truly man. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).” – Matthew 1:23 (ESV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1 (ESV) 4. The Nature of Humanity We believe that humanity was created in the image of God but fell into sin through disobedience, incurring both physical death and spiritual separation from God. All who reach moral responsibility become sinners in thought, word, and deed. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 (ESV) “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” – Romans 5:12 (ESV) 5. The Work of Christ We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, in accordance with the Scriptures, and that all who believe in Him are justified by His shed blood. “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3 (ESV) “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” – 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) 6. The Resurrection and Ascension We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, His ascension into Heaven, and His current ministry as our High Priest and Advocate. “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” – Matthew 28:6 (ESV) “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God...” – Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) 7. The Return of Christ We believe in the “blessed hope”—the personal, premillennial, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13 (ESV) “Behold, I am coming soon.” – Revelation 22:12 (ESV) 8. Salvation and New Birth We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again by the Holy Spirit and become children of God. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12 (ESV) “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3 (ESV) 9. Eternal Destiny We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost: the saved to everlasting life and joy, and the lost to everlasting punishment and separation from God. “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” – Matthew 25:46 (ESV) “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven... and the dead in Christ will rise first.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (ESV)