 Statement
of Faith
The basis of our common faith is found in the following statement.
The Bible: We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is
the inspired and eternal Word of God. These Scriptures are the Will of God revealed
to mankind and are the only infallible guide to Christian faith and practice.
The Godhead: We believe in one God, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler
of all things, infinite in being and perfect in justice, wisdom, holiness, truth,
and love. He exists eternally in three persons ~ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
~ the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Mankind: We believe that mankind was created in righteousness and holiness
in the image of God and his purpose was to glorify God. He was endowed with the
power of rational and responsible choice, and through the test of his obedience
mankind fell from grace. He was alienated from God and now lives in sin. In sin,
mankind is separated from God and unable to save himself ~ physically and spiritually.
Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. As
the eternal Son of God, Jesus took upon Himself human form. Since He was born
of the Virgin Mary, He perfectly united the divine and human nature. We believe
that God provided salvation from sin for mankind through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ upon the cross. In this way, Jesus took upon Himself the penalty
of our sin, and all who believe in Him are justified because of His sacrificial
death. We believe that on the third day Jesus Christ rose from the dead, that
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, where He intercedes
for us until the time of His coming again. Then He will come personally and visible
to complete His sacred work and to consummate the eternal plan of God.
Holy Spirit: We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit reveals to us the things of Christ, convicts us of sin, calls us to repentance,
justifies us before God and carries on the process of renewal. The work of the
Holy Spirit in the life of the individual Christian and congregation is witnessed
by the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit and the ministry of the gifts of the
Spirit.
Salvation: We believe that salvation is wholly by grace, that God desires
each person to seek him, to repent of his sin, and to live a life characterized
by obedience and holiness. We believe that those who are Christians are so not
only in name but also in nature. They have acknowledged Jesus Christ to be the
Savior and Lord of their life and are growing in their knowledge of His Word and
Will. The Christian life is a process of repentance and renewal that will not
be complete until the consummation of the age.
The Church: We believe He calls us into His church to accept the cost
of discipleship. He requires us to be His servant in the service of mankind, to
proclaim the Gospel to all the world and to resist the powers of evil. We are
committed to observe the ordinance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and
to proclaim to a lost world that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord.
Adopted January 23, 2000
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