What We Believe

The Bible

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is God’s written word to us and has authority for our lives. It corrects, encourages, and inspires us, teaching us the essential truths of faith and life. We read it in humility, with faith seeking understanding, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:13)


God

We believe in the one, living God who is revealed in Scripture and invites us to participate in the good work of His creation. Through divine sovereignty, the creation is governed and upheld according to His will and purposes. Our God has revealed Himself in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We worship and serve God alone, as a people called to be His through salvation in Christ Jesus and filled to experience Him through the Holy Spirit.  

(Deut. 6:4, Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, Matt. 28:19, Psalm 47:2, Psalm 135:6, Ephesians 1:4-14)


Humanity and Sin

We believe human beings were created in God's own image in true righteousness and holiness, but because of our rebellion against God, we are separated from God's abundant and eternal life.

(Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3, Romans 3:10-23, 5:8, 12, 6:23, 7:18, Eph. 2:1-3)


Jesus

We believe in Jesus, fully human and fully divine, our Lord and Savior. He lived a life without fault to model to us the life that God wants for us. He died in our place, on the cross, for the forgiveness of our sins, and rose from the dead. He is the head of the Church and Lord over all creation. Through faith in him we receive forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life. 

(Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:1-3, Hebrews 4:15, Ephesians 1:1-8, 1 John 4:10, Colossians 1:15-19)


Salvation

We believe that salvation is through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and was raised from the dead for the forgiveness of our sin. We are saved by God’s grace through faith as we repent and put our trust in Christ alone for our salvation. Our salvation is a result of God choosing us in Christ. The Bible tells us that in Christ, our sins are paid for and we are redeemed and justified before God and His Holy Spirit comes to reside in us. Through Christ’s resurrection, God’s power works in our lives today, and provides the hope and promise of eternal life for tomorrow.   

(Eph 1:1-8, 2:8-9, Acts 2:38, I John 4:10, Rom 5:1, 8, 6:23, I Cor 15:2-4)


The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in all believers to transform us more and more like Christ, to empower us with spiritual gifts and to bring about the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit comforts, encourages, and teaches us on our journey with God.

(Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:7)


The Church

We live out our faith within the context of the church; the community of believer’s united in Christ. We worship God in our gatherings, support and love one another in our relationships, show grace and understanding within our diversity and make an impact in our world through our service and witness.  

(I Cor 12:12-14, Eph 4:4-6, Matt 28:18-20, Colossians 1:18, Galatians 3:28)


Ministry

We believe all followers of Jesus, not just ordained ministers, are called to participate in the work of ministry, using their spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personalities and experiences to communicate the gospel in word and deed.

(1 Peter 2:9, 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:27, 2 Corinthians 5:18)


Stewardship

We believe God has given to us bodies, abilities, gifts, possessions, resources, and money with the responsibility to extend the influence of God in the world.

(Psalm 24:1, Romans 12:1, Galatians, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)


Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe baptism and the Lord's Supper are signs of God's grace and real presence within the community of faith and participate in them to remember and celebrate Christ’s saving acts.

(Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:3-4, I Corinthians 11:23-28)


Christian Growth

We believe that devotion to the Lord as expressed through prayer, worship, Bible study and obedience to God’s Word helps us grow as disciples of Jesus. We strive to live holy and joyful lives as we care for and serve others, work for justice and share the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.   

(Colossians 1:28, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:11, Matthew 6:1-13, 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 2:15-18)