While we affirm that many historic doctrinal positions are argumentative and non-essential, a church can only be a church if foundational positions are taken on the essentials.  While much more could be said, listed below are summaries of what we believe.

 
  • The Bible is God’s Word, His communication with us. It is inspired by Him, fully authoritative, and without error. We can trust it in every circumstance and situation.

    2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21

  • God has always existed in perfect power and holiness. He is the Creator of the universe and rules over all creation today. He exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    Genesis 1:1–2; Deuteronomy 6:4

  • Jesus Christ is God’s Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the grave after three days. He defeated sin and death and will return one day to rule and reign.

    John 1:1–18; Colossians 1:13–22

  • The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He works in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ and indwells every believer from the moment of salvation. He empowers Christians to live in obedience and godliness.

    Genesis 1:2; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13–14

  • We believe God created all things by His power. People were created innocent and in God’s image, but through sin, brought both physical and spiritual death to themselves and all humanity. Every person is born with a sinful nature, alienated from God, unable to earn His favor, and in need of salvation.

    Genesis 1:27; 2:17; 3:19; Ephesians 2:1–3

  • Because of our sinful nature, no one can enter Heaven by good works. Jesus Christ came to take the punishment for our sin, and our only hope for salvation is faith in Him. We must believe that His death and resurrection made the way for us to be made right with God.

    Genesis 3; Romans 3:10–23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9

  • The Church is the body of Christ in the world today. A local church is made up of baptized followers of Jesus Christ who join together to worship, grow, and live out the mission of Christ.

    Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–47; 1 Peter 5:1–5

  • We believe God created humankind in His image as male and female. Marriage is ordained by God as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. It reflects the union between Christ and His Church and provides the God-designed context for companionship, sexual intimacy, and the procreation of human life.

    Genesis 2:18, 24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:31–33

  • We practice two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Neither conveys salvation or grace in itself, but both are acts of obedience and remembrance for those who have placed their faith in Christ. We obey Jesus through baptism and celebrate His presence through the Lord’s Supper.

    Acts 16:25–34; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

  • Every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ. Each believer is called to serve Him faithfully, using their gifts to minister to others and proclaim His praise.

    1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 4:10

  • Baptism follows a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ. It is practiced by immersion, symbolizing the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and the new life found in Him.

    Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19–20