What We Believe

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 3:11

Apostles’ Creed

  We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord. Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary. Who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. Rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Almighty Father. From whence He will come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost, in the holy general Christian church, the communion of saints. We believe in forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and in eternal life.

 

– Our Belief and Practice–

1. Our Common Faith–What We Believe

   Many people look at Christianity as a set of beliefs. We see Christianity as much more than that. To us it is a living relationship with Jesus Christ, an obedient, love/faith relationship that produces a new life. We enter into this relationship by: (1) hearing the call of God through His word and His Spirit working in our hearts, (2) repenting of our sins and turning from our selfish life and the world, (3) yielding all to Jesus Christ as Lord of our life, and (4) receiving the gift of a new life offered us through Jesus Christ. In short, we become Christians by choosing to surrender to Jesus as our Savior and Lord. And we live the Christian life in exactly the same way–by a living faith that moves us to a daily surrender to Christ. As Christians, we follow Jesus, we learn from Jesus, we try to please Him by doing what He would do if He were a human living in our world. We believe this is true Christianity.

   Even so, as Christians we hold to certain beliefs–and correct beliefs are important. We derive our beliefs from the Bible, believing all that it teaches. But the Bible is a big book–a book of history, poetry, exhortation, prophecy. It is not a systematic statement of doctrine. Since even sincere people differ in what they understand it to teach, we find it helpful to summarize key points that we believe. Christians have done this since the beginning of the church.

   God:

   We believe in the one eternal Creator God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I John 14:9-11; 15:26

   Jesus:

   We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe he lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Luke 1:35; I Peter 2:21, Matt. 1:20-25; 27; 28

   The Holy Spirit:

   We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, affects the new birth, gives guidance in life, empowers for service, and enables perseverance in faith and holiness. John 16:7-11,13.

   The Scriptures:

   We believe the Bible is given by inspiration of God to teach us about God, show us His plan for the world, and help us know how He wants us to live. II Timothy 3:15,16

   Man:

   We believe that in the beginning God created all things. He made man in His own image, with a free will, a conscience, a moral character, and a spiritual nature. Col. 1:16-17, John 1:1-13, Gen. 1:27.

   Salvation:

   We believe that God offers the free gift of salvation to all people. We are instructed to call on the name of the Lord, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, be baptized, and walk in newness of life. Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:3,5; Romans 6:1-7, 10:9, 10

   The Church:

   We believe the church is the body of Christ expressed through the universal church and the local congregation. It consists of all those who are redeemed and who walk in obedience to the Word of God. Eph. 1; 4:11-13

   Relation to the State:

   We believe that civil government is ordained by God and should be obeyed unless its requests conflict with the Kingdom of God. Christians should honor and pray for all in authority. We believe that Christ’s teachings prohibit participation in war and revenge of any kind. Romans 13; John 18:36

   Marriage:

   We believe that God designed marriage to be the union of one man and one woman for life and that believers should only marry spouses who are fully committed to Christ. We believe the scriptures teach that it is sin to remarry while one’s original marriage partner is still living. Mark 10-2:10

   Ordinances:

   We believe New Testament teachings and practices such as hospitality, head-veiling, foot-washing, communion, baptism, the kiss of charity, laying on of hands, non-swearing of oaths, brotherhood sharing, and returning good for evil should be practiced by believers today. I Cor. 11:2

   Jesus’ Return:

   We believe Jesus is coming again to culminate His everlasting Kingdom. He will judge all (both dead and alive), gathering the righteous to eternal bliss and committing the unrighteous to the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15; Luke. 23:43