We Believe

We believe that the Holy Bible (66 books) is the Divinely-inspired and true Word of God, without error and completely trustworthy.  It contains all we need to know for righteousness and Godly living (Kingdom Living).  2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 1:1.

We believe there is only one God, who has always existed in three persons, Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19.  He is the creator and ruler of the entire universe, and holds everything together by His divine power.  Colossians 1:16-17.

We believe that, before God created the visible universe (the heavens and the earth), He ruled over an invisible realm inhabited by angels.  One of these angels, Lucifer, rebelled against God and was thrown down to the earth, along with one third of the angels, who followed him into rebellion.  Lucifer was renamed Satan.  Ezekiel 28:17; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:9.

We believe that after God created the earth he created Mankind (male and female) in the image of God.  Genesis 1:27.  Man was created higher than the angels (i.e., “a little lower than God”), and was given dominion over the earth and every living creature.  Psalm 8:5, Genesis 1:26.

We believe that Mankind rebelled against God by violating His command not to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.  The woman was encouraged into this rebellion (sin) by the temptation and twisting of truth by Satan, while the man, Adam, stood by saying nothing.  Genesis 3:1-6.  The fall of man resulted in Mankind forfeiting dominion of the earth to Satan, as well as other specific curses upon men, women, and their relationships.  Genesis 3:16-19; Luke 4:5-7.

We believe that God planned a way for Mankind to be forgiven and reconciled back into right-relationship with Himself by sending Jesus, God’s only Son, to rescue all who would believe in Him and accept his free gift of salvation and eternal life.  Genesis 3:14-15, “So God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you …And I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers.’” See also Isaiah 7:14; 9:2-7; John 1:1-14; Acts: 10:38.

We believe Jesus came to the earth (fully God, fully man), was miraculously born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23), lived a perfect life (no sin), was accused and punished for sins he did not commit, taking the place of sinners who would believe in Him, died and rose again, providing the means for our sins to be forgiven, curses broken, our bodies, souls and spirits healed, and the power to cast out evil spirits from ourselves and from others.  Specifically, We believe that Jesus came to do (at least) five specific things for those who choose to follow Him.  We call this The Full 5/5ths Gospel.

We believe that it is God’s plan for everyone who believes in Him to receive both Salvation from Jesus, and also freedom from the power of the devil, in order to be equipped to take the Good News of Jesus to everyone in the world.  Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:17-18  Those who do not accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus will face judgment and eternal punishment in hell.  Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:40-43; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15

We believe that God loves all people, in every nation, tribe and community.  Therefore, He desires that everyone would come to know Him, accept His free gift of eternal life, and enter into His Kingdom.  John 3:16.

We believe in the sovereignty of God, Who, ultimately decides all things according to His perfect knowledge and foreknowledge.  Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 45:7-9; Ephesians 1:11; Colosians 1:16-17.

We believe that God gives every person the free will to decide whether or not to believe and obey Him, and to accept God's gifts of salvation and freedom, through Jesus.  Genesis 2:17; Joshua 24:15; Mark 8:34; Revelation 3:20.

We believe that God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in all believers (Christ in you," Colossians 1:27), to be our Counselor to guide and empower us to carry out God’s purposes for our lives.  John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:7

We believe that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to Jesus' followers according to God's plans to equip each believer to serve His Kingdom.  Romans 12:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 1 Peter 4:11.

We believe that God created Mankind (one race, the Human race,) in two genders, male and female.  The man was created first and given headship over his wife and family.  The woman, equally loved and valued by God, was created to complete the man as his helpmeet, under his authority.  Genesis 2:18, 20-22; Numbers 30; 1 Corinthians 11:8-12; Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:11,18; 1 Peter 3:, Galatians 3:28.

We believe that God creates each person with purpose, both general (to work, to love, worship and honor God, to procreate, etc.), Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 29:1-2; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 22:36-37; Genesis 1:28, and, specific (unique to each individual), Jeremiah 29:11.

We believe that God’s purpose in creation was to have Godly offspring (children who loved God and related to Him in obedience) who would fill the earth and subdue it.  Genesis 1:28, Malachi 2:15.  

We believe that marriage is intended by God to be a holy covenant between one man and one woman, for life.  Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:32; 

We believe that God blesses sexual intimacy for couples who are committed to each other under the covenant of marriage.  Genesis 2:25; Song of Songs 5:1; 1 Corinthians 7:3-6; All other sexual activity outside of this covenant, both heterosexual and homosexual, is considered sinful and forbidden by God.  Leviticus 20:10-20; Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 7:2;

We believe in the sanctity of life, which begins at conception.  Therefore, abortion is sin and Christians should strive to protect the life of the pre-born.  Job 10:8-12; Psalm 119:73, 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1+5; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44.

We believe in the importance of making disciples who serve the Lord in mission, work, and in the family.  Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9, 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-5.

We believe in training men and women in preparation for marriage and for raising children who know, love, and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 119:9-16; Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-4; Titus 2:1-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

We believe that God is a God of order and authority, and just as He placed the family in order, under the authority of the husband/father, God also places men in positions of authority over His Church.  Therefore, we believe that only men are called to be pastors, elders and deacons in the church.  1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:12.  The leaders of the church should also be under the mutual authority of each other.  Acts 1:20-26; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ephesians 5:21.

We believe that God divinely determined the roles of men and women as He intended.  While men are called to be the leaders, We believe that women are equally loved by God and of equal importance in the church, the family and in society.  We believe that the influence of Godly women is of great value and desperately needed in the world today.  As Paul explains, "Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." Titus 2:3-5.

We believe in adult (believers’) baptism (submersion) for those old and mature enough to understand the Gospel, repent, and place their faith in Jesus.  It is a public declaration (made before community and/or witnesses) of a covenant of intent to walk in the way of Jesus, under the power of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19-20.  While we do not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, ("If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9); however, it is a vital step of sanctification (spiritual maturity and understanding) and a sign of identification with and allegiance to Jesus Christ and His Church.  Acts 8:34-39.  An example of one saved without baptism is the thief on the cross, Luke 23:43. 

We believe in dedicating children to the Lord (not children’s baptism), as a sign that the parents desire their children to follow the Lord, and as a public expression of their commitment to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9; I Samuel 1:24-28.