Beliefs

We believe in the eternal mystery of one God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Spirit.  God created everything and sustains everything by his life.  He is holy, all-powerful, all knowing, unchanging and full of mercy and grace.  (Matthew 28:20, Deuteronomy 4:35, John 17:5, John 16:7-10)

God, the Father, is an infinite personal spirit who concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of each person.  He hears and answers prayer and saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus, the Son.  (Revelation 1:8, Psalm 145:18, John 3:16)

Jesus, the Son, was born of a virgin, Mary, by the power of the Spirit of God.  He was fully man and fully God.  His life displayed the perfection and power of God through His relationships, teachings and miracles.  He died on a cross for the forgiveness of sin, was buried, and rose from the dead.  After appearing to His followers, he ascended to Heaven, is seated at the Father’s right hand, and will one day come again.  (John 1:1 & 14, 1 John 1:1-4, John 8:58, John 17:5, Colossians 1:15-19, Philippians 2:6-11, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Holy Spirit has been at work throughout the story of God.  After Jesus ascended, the Spirit was poured out so that humanity would acknowledge its sin and be drawn towards Jesus.  He is a helper, teacher and guide that moves a person – and community – to live a life that honors God.   (John 15:26, Acts 1:8, Acts 5:3-4, John 4:24, John 3:3-7, John 16:13, Titus 3:5, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16)

All people have been created in the image and likeness of God.  By nature and choice we have turned from Him, and as a result that image has been marred.  God’s desire is for that image to be re-made/restored through faith in Jesus and the renewing of the Spirit.  (Romans 3:23, 1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 51:5, Romans 6:23, John 1:12, John 14:6, John 19:30, 1 Timothy 2:5, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 5:15, 1 John 5:13).

The Bible is God’s completely true story.  It is the result of God’s creative breath, recorded by human writers for our learning.  God’s story tells of His creativity and loving involvement with His creation.  Through this story we learn about who God is, what He has done, what He is doing and what He will do in the world.  God’s story is the source of real and eternal hope.  It shows us how to be right with God, portrays the heart of a follower of Jesus, and guides us in how we are to live.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Proverbs 30:5, Isaiah 40:8)

NOTE: Our official statement of faith focuses on what we believe are non-negotiable aspects of the Christian faith.  These are not the only things we believe or teach, but they are the essential truths that we will not compromise.