PRELIMINARY COMMENTS: Doctrinal statements are not inerrant. Only the Word of God is without error. Within the doctrinal statement we do not often differentiate between the non-negotiable and the interpretive preferences.

THE SCRIPTURES: We believe that "all Scripture is inspired by God," 2 Timothy 3:16 and that Godly men "were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Peter 1:21 to write the very words of God and therefore the Scriptures are without error in the original manuscripts. We believe the Bible has been supernaturally preserved and thus the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. We also believe the Bible was designed for our instruction in the knowledge of God and His will Romans 15:4.

THE ONE TRUE GOD: We believe there is only one God Deuteronomy 6:4, infinite, eternal, unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Within the one Being that is God, there exists eternally three co-equal and co-eternal persons, namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians. 13:14, having the same attributes and perfections, each worthy of the same homage, confidence, and obedience Revelation 1:4-6.

GOD THE FATHER: We believe in God, the Father, the sovereign, infinite, personal spirit John 4:24, who is perfect in holiness 1 John 1:5 wisdom, power, love, and infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass Isaiah 46:9-10. We believe He works all things according to His eternal decree and for His own glory Ephesians 1:11.

JESUS CHRIST: We believe in the deity and eternal existence of Jesus Christ who became flesh through the virgin birth so that He might manifest God to men Luke 1:30-35;John 1:18, thus He is fully God and fully man. He came to save a lost world John 3:16;Mark 10:45, and because of His sinless life and sacrifice, reconciled and redeemed sinful man to Himself through His substitutionary, atoning death on the cross Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21. We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ Luke 24:36-43, His ascension into heaven at the right hand of the Father, His perpetual intercession for His people John 2:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16, and His imminent, personal visible return 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:11.

THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the eternal deity of the Holy Spirit, and as the Comforter indwells every believer John 14:16-17. By His baptism, the Holy Spirit unites all to Christ in one body 1 Corinthians 12:13. He is the source of all power and guides us in the truth John 14:17. The Bible defines the ministries committed to the third person of the Trinity to also include: convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment John 16:7-11; regenerating all believers Titus 3:5; sealing all believers unto the day of redemption Ephesians 4:30 fills believers for power and service Ephesians 5:18; gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His will 1 Corinthians 12:1-7; Romans 12:4-8; and teaches all those who are yielded to Him 1 Corinthians 2:9-13.

MAN: We believe that man was originally created in the image of God Genesis 1:26 and that he fell through sin Genesis 3:1-6. Man lost his spiritual life and gained spiritual death. The total depravity of man and his sin nature has been transmitted to the entire human race Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-19; 5:12; 8:6-7. Our sin nature is changeable because of the grace of God and salvation through Jesus Christ alone Ephesians 2:1-3, 2:8-9; Romans 4.

SALVATION: We believe that all men are sinners by nature Ephesians 2:1-3, resulting in spiritual death and that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born from above John 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:23. We believe salvation is received as the gift of God—by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone Romans 4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7. The believer is eternally secure in that salvation through the work of God John 6:29; Hebrews 1:2-3 who guarantees that the gift of salvation, once received, is forever and cannot be lost John 10:28-30; Romans 8:29-39.

THE CHURCH: We believe in the one true universal church, the body and bride of Christ, composed of all who are united to Christ in faith. We believe the church began at Pentecost and is completely distinct from Israel. Christ is the head of the church who has given to the church the primary tasks of (1) exalting the glory of the Lord in worship; (2) evangelizing the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ; (3) equipping the church for ministry (4) encouraging one another to love and good deeds; and (5) edifying the body to maturity. We believe in the autonomy of the local church in submission to the Lord and; His Holy Scriptures. We believe the Lord has prescribed church leadership to consist of godly leaders in the form of elders and deacons. The church in obedience to Christ is to practice the ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper in commemoration of His death. Matthew 16:18; Luke 22:19-21; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Peter 2:4-8.

CHRISTIAN LIFE: We believe that a Christian is complete in Christ. While the standing of the Christian before God is perfect, the present state is only as perfect as one’s experience in daily life. We believe the Christian needs to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The practice of spiritual disciplines is an essential part of that growth, as one seeks to more like Jesus Christ. The Christian, therefore, should live for the glory of God and the well being of his fellow men. The Christian hope is heaven and the believer will be fully sanctified when the Lord returns John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 10:13; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 3:1-3.

ANGELS: We believe God created an innumerable company of sinless spiritual beings known as angels who are before the throne of God. They are "ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation." Satan, who was the highest angel in rank, sinned through pride and rebellion. A great number of angels followed him in his moral fall becoming demons. Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Hebrews 1:14; Jude 1:6.

END TIMES: We believe that the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the rapture of the church to meet the Lord in the air. The rapture of the church will precede the seven-year Tribulation, the fulfillment of Daniel’s seventieth week. The time period is characterized by judgment on the whole earth, as no flesh would survive if it were not for God’s mercy. We believe that the period of great Tribulation in the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus to the earth with power and glory to introduce the millennial kingdom. During this time Satan will be bound in the abyss, the curse which now rests on the earth will be lifted, Israel will realize God’s covenant promises, and the whole world will have the knowledge of God. Isaiah 11:9; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24-25; Romans 8:19-23; John 14:1-3; Revelation.