More on What We Believe
ABOUT ETERNITY:
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (Biblical references: John 3:16; 14:17; Rom 6:23; 8:17-18; Rev 20:15; 1 Cor 2:7-9).
ABOUT JESUS:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to claim His own and take them to that same Heaven. (Biblical references: Mt 1:22, 23; Is 9:6; Jn 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Heb 4:14, 15; 1 Cor 15:3,4; Rom 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14-15; Tit 2:13).
ABOUT GOD:
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Biblical references: Gen 1:1, 26-27, 3:22; Ps 90:2; Mt 28:19; 1 Pt 1:2; II Cor 13:14).
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT:
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (Biblical references: 2 Cor 3:17; Jn 16:7-13; 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 2:12; 3:16; Eph 1:13; Gal 5:25; Eph 5:18).
ABOUT PEOPLE:
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Biblical references: Gen 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Is 53:6a; Rom 3:23; Is 59:1-2)
ABOUT THE BIBLE:
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors wrote it under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without any mixture or error. (Biblical references: 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 1:13; Ps 119:105, 160; 12:6; Pro 30:5).
ABOUT SALVATION:
We believe that a person is saved by grace through faith, and that there is nothing you can do to save yourself (Eph 2:8-10). A Christian is a person who has made Jesus Christ Lord of their life and is faithfully trying to do all that he asks and commands. Lordship issues include: belief, repentance, confession, baptism, and holy living (discipleship). (Acts 2:38, 4:12; Rom 10:9, 12:1-2; Phil 2:11; 1 Jn 1:19)
ABOUT END TIMES:
This is an issue that has ravaged the church. Devoted Christians have myriad of differing views. We believe that this is not a salvation issue and choose not to divide over it. We do firmly believe that there will be a literal return of Christ (Acts 1:11), and a judgment day (Heb 9:27-29), at which every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10).
ABOUT LIFE:
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all of its dimension, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, or every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)
ABOUT MARRIAGE:
We believe God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself. God created and sanctioned marriage to bring together men and women, the complementary halves of humanity, by joining them in “one-flesh” unions. (Gen 2:18-25) Marriage between one man and one woman for life uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church. (Eph 5:21-33) Marriage also serves as the foundational unit of a stable society. (1 Cor 7:2) Among many other negative cultural developments over the last several decades, the general acceptance of sex outside of marriage and other sexual sins, including homosexual behavior, constitute direct attacks upon this timeless and universal institution. Gender, likewise, matters. God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and these distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27)