WHO WE ARE

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God to humanity, and are our infallible guide for faith and practice. (2 Peter 1:20,-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

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 a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

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. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

We believe that all people are, by nature, separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior and Lord, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)

Salvation is when one repents of his or her sins, places his or her faith in Jesus as Savior, and commits to follow Him as Lord of his or her life. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus receive the Holy Spirit. God desires the salvation of all people. All believers in Christ, who through grace persevere in holiness to the end of life, have promise of eternal salvation.

The Scriptures teach the resurrection of all people at the last day. Those who put their faith in Jesus will experience resurrection of life, and those who rejected Christ will experience eternal punishment. This is why followers of Jesus display an urgency in sharing the gospel with all people.

Baptism, or the immersion of believers in water; and the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, are ordinances to be practiced based on the example of Christ.

God commanded tithes and offerings in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ endorsed them in the gospels (Matthew 23:23), and the apostle Paul said, “On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering” (1 Corinthians 16:2a).

God tells believers to devote one day a week to rest, refresh, and refuel.