In essential beliefs - we have unity. 

"There is one Body and one Spirit... there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all.... " 

Ephesians 4:4-6 

In non-essential beliefs - we have diversity. 

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master, he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." 

Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 

In all our beliefs - we show charity. 

"... If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all."

I Corinthians 13:2

The Essentials We Believe 

1. ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. This God, who has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ, is the one and only true God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14; John 14:1-14; I John 5:7; Deuteronomy 6:4; I Corinthians 8:4-6 

2. ABOUT THE FATHER

He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise. He reigns with providential care over the universe, and the flow of human history goes according to His purposes and plan. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:1, 2:7; Exodus 3:14, 6:23; Matthew 23:9; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; Romans 8:1-15; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; I Timothy 1:17 

3. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was born of a virgin. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life, performed miracles, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Jesus Christ is the only true Savior, and the only way to heaven is by faith in Him, who also presently rules as Head of the Church.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:4-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; John 14:6; Luke 1:26-38; John 10:31-38; Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; Colossians 1:18 

4. 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 men 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. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18 

5. ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5 

6. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. 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. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are lost unto damnation and they that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life. 

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2; Matthew 25:31-40; 1 Corinthians 15:42-57 

7. ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1 

8. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation is for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5 

9. 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.

John 3:16, 2: 25, 5:11-13; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; I Corinthians 2:7-9; Matthew 1:8, 2:44, 46