* The Trinity

* The Deity of Christ

* The Virgin Birth of Christ

* Salvation by faith in the finished work of Christ

* Divine inspiration of Scripture

* The second coming of Christ.

 

Recognizing the wide variety of teachings within the Christian community, we believe we should "major in the majors", "minor in the minors", and be governed by love in all matters.  
 

The Godhead – There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver, and Ruler of all things; who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit without division of essences, attributes, or perfections, yet distinct in person, office, and function.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19)

Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, pre-existent in the form of God, took upon Himself sinless human nature by the Virgin Birth in order that He might perfectly fulfill the law, suffer and die upon the cross, be buried and rise again on the third day, to reveal God and redeem mankind. His death, burial, and resurrection were representative, vicarious, and substitutionary, and accomplished complete salvation. Now ascended, He is exalted at the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intercession for the saints.

(John 1:1-2, 14: Luke 1:35: Romans 3:24-25, Romans 6:1-5; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:31; John 2:1-2)

Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is the person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement; and regenerates, baptizes, seals, and indwells all believers unto the day of redemption. He is the author of spiritual gifts and fruit, and continually fills those who yield to Him.

(John 16:8-11; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 5:18)

The Scriptures - The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired word of God, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed. Thus, they are the final authoritative rule for all faith and life.

(II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13)

Satan – Satan is a spirit person who was originally created good, yet became the author of sin and cause of the fall of man. He is the declared enemy of God and man, and shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.

(Isaiah 14:12-17; Job 1:6-7; Matthew 4:2-11 Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10)

The Fall – Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original state; now he is totally depraved, that is, spiritually dead, morally polluted, and physically mortal.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-6; Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 12; I Corinthians 15:53)

Salvation – Salvation from sin and its consequences is the gift of God’s grace, purchased by the death and resurrection of Christ, and received by personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.  All the redeemed are kept by God’s power, and may rejoice in the assurance of salvation through the testimony of God’s Word.

(Ephesians 2:8-10; John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:35-39; I Peter 1:5; Romans 8:14-16; I John 5:13)

The Church – The universal Church, over which the Lord Jesus is the Head, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age.  The establishment and continuance of local churches free of any external ecclesiastical authority or control is clearly taught in the New Testament.  The local church is governed by the plurality of elders, with equal authority, but subject to the principle of “first among equals”. (1)  The ordinances of Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are recognized as means of public testimony.

(Ephesians 1:22-23; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Acts 14:27; Acts 20:17; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11; Acts 20:28; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:23-26)

Last Things – The Blessed Hope of the Church is the personal, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His saints, with whom He shall establish his Millennial Kingdom.  Thereafter shall be the bodily resurrection and judgment of the dead, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to everlasting punishment.

(I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:1-6, Revelation 11-15; Matthew 25:46)