BELIEFS
The Scriptures
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We believe the Bible is God’s Word, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
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It is accurate, authoritative, and applicable to our everyday lives.
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Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39, 16:13-15, 17:17;
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Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:21
God (The Trinity)
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We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things, and He exists in three co-equal Persons:
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God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. God is totally loving and completely holy.
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1 John 5:7; John 1:14, 14:28, 16:28; John 15:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1
The Father
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We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in love, holiness, justice, and grace. We believe that He is all-knowing and all-powerful.
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We believe that He mindfully and mercifully concerns himself with the lives of humankind, that He hears and answers our prayers,
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and that He offers salvation from sin and death through Jesus Christ.
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Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16, 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6
Jesus, The Son
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We believe that Jesus Christ is the only One who can restore us to God. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings.
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We believe the unconscionable beating and violent crucifixion of Jesus was in our place--the full, fitting payment for our sin.
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1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23; 5:9; John 1:29
The Holy Spirit
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The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with Jesus and the Father in the Godhead.
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We believe the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son, convicts the world of sin and promotes righteousness and judgment.
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The Holy Spirit is our omnipresent, omnipotent helper, comforter, and guide to all who believe in Jesus.
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John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; John 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26
Man
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We believe that mankind was made in the image of God. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
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Genesis 1:26-30, 2:7, 18-22; 3:1-24; Psalm 8:3-6, 51:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; Ephesians 2
Sin
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We believe our sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives.
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As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort.
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Genesis 3; Psalm 32:1-5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Forgiveness
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We believe that in order to receive forgiveness from God and new birth, we must repent of our sins,
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believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.
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Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22
Salvation
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We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection.
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Salvation is an unmerited gift from God, not earned by good works or any human effort.
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Whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
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Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22
Water Baptism
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Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of Jesus and is for believers only.
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Baptism is an ordinance symbolic of the Christian’s identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
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Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48, Colossians 2:12
Baptism In The Holy Spirit
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The baptism in the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus to all believers, is a gift received subsequent to new birth (salvation).
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The baptism in the Holy Spirit enables Christ followers to fully utilize public and private spiritual gifts
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for the furtherance of the Church and for personal spiritual growth.
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We believe the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.
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Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39; 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47; 11:15-17, 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 14
Sanctification
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Salvation makes us righteous before God. Sanctification is the development of Christ’s character in us through an ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word
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and the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 12:14 tells us that "without holiness no one will see God."
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1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2; Hebrews 2:11
The Church
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We believe in the power and significance of the Church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly together for fellowship, prayer, and the "breaking of bread."
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We believe that God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives
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which is to worship God, fulfill our role in the Church, and serve the community in which we live.
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Matthew 16:18-19, 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47, 5:11-14, 13:1-3, 14:23, 16:5, 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17;
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Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 3:10-12, 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18, 3:15; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3
Healing
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Daily health and divine healing were purchased by Jesus’ atoning sacrifice
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Wisdom for the healthy stewardship of our bodies and divine healing
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by the laying on of hands are available to every believer.
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Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7;
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James 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29
Heaven
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We believe a person’s eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell is determined by their response to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Matthew 5:3, 12, 20; 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20
Hell
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Scripture uses words like “everlasting fire,” “torment,” and “wrath” to describe Hell.
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We believe Hell is a literal place. Eternal separation from God happens there.
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Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8
The End of This Age
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At the ascension the angels said, “This same Jesus will come back in the same way you saw him go into Heaven”. Acts 1:11
Resurrection & Rapture
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We believe in the resurrection of the saints and rapture of the Church. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “...the dead in Christ will rise first.
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After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds
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to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
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1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The Reign of Christ
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Following the tribulation, we believe Jesus will physically and visibly return to Earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
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Revelation 20:6 tells us Jesus’ followers will reign with Him for a thousand years as kings and priests.
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Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7