29:11 FAITH STATEMENT
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 5:18, John 16:12-13, 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).
ONE GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who are co-eternal in being, nature, power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe that Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice, that redemption is received through faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and that our complete forgiveness is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5). We believe Jesus ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of God as our High Priest, Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is a person (John 14:15–18), sent to dwell within, guide, teach and empower the believer to live righteous, be a witness of Jesus (John 16:13; Acts 1:8), and convince the world of sin and true righteousness (John 16:7–11). All believers are entitled to and should expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has not ceased functioning but is active and functioning in the lives of believers today just as He functioned in the lives of the believers immediately after the ascension of Jesus Christ.
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that God is sovereign in bestowing spiritual gifts (Acts 9:1-7). We believe it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10).
DIVINE HEALING
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers. Prayer for the sick is taught in the Scriptures. (Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14; James 5:13–16).
SIN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, although through Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Thus man is born into sin and of himself is utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the gift of God, brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of every person’s sins (Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; John 1:12; 1 Peter 1: 18-19).
THE CHURCH
The Church consists of all those who believe on Jesus Christ and through faith are redeemed by His blood. Jesus is the Head of the Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22–23), which has been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the two ordinances of Water Baptism and Communion (Acts 2:41–47).
LAST THINGS
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to everlasting punishment; the righteous will receive the reward of eternal life.
EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all people, including those of one’s communities, nation and the world. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit and the grace received through the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ will birth a love for others. We fulfill the call of Jesus to reach others through our Christian example and verbal witness. (Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 28:18-20; John 15:16; Acts 1:8; 13:2-3)
MARRIAGE
God created marriage (Gen. 2:22). It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Gen 2:24). The marriage covenant requires the married parties to be faithful, loving, and helpful to each other as long as they both shall live (Mark 10:3-10). Christians are not to marry unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Those whom God has directed to be joined together shall, after counseling with the pastor concerning what God requires of them, be joined in Christian marriage (Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 5:32; 19:5-6,9; Romans 7:2-3; I Corinthians 7:10-11, 15; II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-23). This church observes the wedding ceremony as holy and unto God. It is a religious ceremony and cannot be conducted in this church without pastoral consideration. Any couple wishing to conduct their wedding ceremony in this church must first submit to pastoral counseling that is approved by this church. The couple must also live a lifestyle that is consistent with this church’s doctrinal views.