Beliefs
In essential beliefs we have unity. Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs we have liberty. Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs we show charity. I Corinthians 13:2
About God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate his power over 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. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14, 15)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make man aware of his need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides Christians with the power of living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we use these gifts to minister to others and build up the church. As Christians, we seek to live under his control daily. (John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)
About 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. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any error. (Psalms 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. 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 53:6; 59:1, 2; Romans 3:23)
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:26; Titus 3:5)
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. We believe that a person who made a genuine, heartfelt commitment to trust and follow Jesus cannot lose their his/her salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by our self-effort. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 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. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 2:25, 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
About Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to his promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth, the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. (1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28, 35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1)
About Water Baptism
Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer; it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not save you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring; it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart. It symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:
- Going under the water: You died to your old way of life and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Coming out of water: You became a new person, forgiven and accepted by God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and promised eternal life.
(Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:1-4)
About Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
We believe God wants our relationships and sexuality to reflect his nature and holiness. He wants the best for us, and following his ways brings glory to his name and leads to the most fulfilling experience in this life and the next (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Romans 8:28).
Therefore, the most genuine expression of love is to encourage and to walk humbly with one another, helping each other embrace God’s grace and his best for us as conveyed in the Bible (Hebrews 3:13, 10:24).
We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a covenant of commitment for a lifetime (Genesis 2:20-25, Matthew 19:5-6). The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). The husband and wife mutually submit to one another in a way that expresses to the world how much Jesus loves his Church and how much his Church loves him back (Ephesians 5:21-33, Colossians 3:18-19).
We believe that all intimate sexual activity outside the marriage relationship, whether heterosexual, homosexual, or otherwise, is outside the scope of what God says is right and best for us (Genesis 2:24-25; Exodus 20:14, 17, 22:19; Leviticus 18:22-23, 20:13, 15-16; Matthew 19:4-6, 9; Romans 1:18-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 15-20; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Jude 7).
We believe that God created humankind in his own image as male and female and that all conduct to adopt a sex or gender other than what is in accordance with one’s birth sex is outside of what God has expressed is right and good for us (Genesis 1:27; Deuteronomy 22:5).