FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS

We believe:

• In one God, the Creator of heaven and earth. Who revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and created human beings in His own image. Genesis 1:1, 26, Deuteronomy 6:4, John 10:30, Philippians 2:5-7

• That for our salvation, the Word of God became flesh and we know Him as Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and died for our sins to reconcile us to God. On the third day, He rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, and is ascended into heaven where He is seated in glory at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. John 1:1, John 3:16, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35, Matthew 28, Mark 16, Acts 1:11,22

• In the Holy Spirit of God and that He (The Holy Spirit) was sent to us as our Comforter. He is to dwell in us to guide, lead, instruct, convict and comfort us. John 14:16-26; 15:26

• In the Bible as the word of God, which has final authority over issues that pertain to our faith, and to every area of our daily lives. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 15:4

• That after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, all of human race became sinners and salvation can only be attained through faith in Jesus Christ. Genesis 3, Romans 3:23, John 3:16

• That we are made righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ, and we are saved by His grace and not by our good works. Romans 3:24, Ephesians 2:8-9

• In water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, as a way of publicly pronouncing our faith in Christ, and in obedience to God’s command. Matthew 28:19

• In the baptism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit and in divine healing. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Acts 3:1-11, Isaiah 53:5, Acts 2:4

• That we are washed from our sins in the Blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for the remission of our sins on the cross. Only through that is our salvation sure. Revelation 1:5, Hebrew 9:12-14

• In Christ’s Lordship over His Church. The Church in this context is the gathering of individual Christians whose bodies have become the temple of God. Ephesians 5:23, 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16

• In the second coming of Jesus Christ to receive to Himself those that believe in Him. John 14:1-3, Acts 1:9-1

• That the Church is a vehicle for reconciliation and discipline between brethren in matters they disagree upon. In so doing, we discourage immorality and unrighteousness and encourage holy and righteous living. 2 Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 18:15-18, James 5:19-20

• In the Great Commission. That all Christians after being born again are given the responsibility to go and be witnesses as ambassadors for Christ anywhere they find themselves. Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15

• That in the Church, God gave gifts; some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, so as to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:11-12

• In the celebration of the Lord’s supper as a way to remember the death, burial, resurrection and the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

• In the unity of the body of Christ, and that we as Christians are all one in Christ, even as Jesus Christ prayed. John 17:20-23, 1 Corinthians 10:16:17

• In choosing of elders (Godly and spirit-filled men and women) to manage the affairs of the church through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Acts 6, Exodus 18:13-27

• That elders are to serve not to be served, even as Jesus came to serve. Luke 22:24-27, John 13:1-15