What We Believe

---

GOD

There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He has revealed Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), as the Son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit), and the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ Jesus bodily (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:13-15).

SALVATION

• Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior is essential for salvation. By trusting in His grace, we have access to forgiveness, redemption, a new life on Earth and eternal life in Heaven. (John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:5-8)

• Through Repentance, we approach the cross to “crucify” our old life looking forward to a new life (Romans 6:6). We believe that an abiding faith in Jesus Christ necessitates true repentance from sin (Acts 20:21). Repentance is a faithful response to the preached Word of God and affords us grace unto salvation (Acts 2:37-38). Jesus and the Apostles taught that repentance was essential for salvation (Luke 13:3-5; II Peter 3:9).

• Water Baptism by immersion in the Name of Jesus removes our sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5). Just as repentance connects us to His cross, baptism connects us to His burial (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:11-14). Jesus and the Apostles taught baptism as essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:20-21).

• The Infilling of the Holy Spirit is given with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:45-46; Acts 19:1-6). As repentance and baptism identify with Christ’s death and burial, so the Holy Spirit connects us to His resurrection, enabling a “new birth” and new life only possible through His Spirit (John 3:3-7). Jesus and the Apostles taught that Holy Spirit infilling is essential for salvation (John 7:38-39; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:4-6).

• Salvation is a gift of God afforded us by faith in God’s gracious plan and not by the works of men (Ephesians 2:8).  While Christians confess and repent of their sins, God’s grace does the work of forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7).  While water is used in baptism, Christ’s blood and His name do the work of remitting sins (Hebrews 9:22; Acts 2:38). And while people simply receive the Holy Spirit, God does the work of filling them (Luke 11:13).

NEW LIFE

• God’s grace calls us to avoid sin and pursue righteousness (Romans 6:1-4).  We believe old things pass away and all things become new in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).  While perfection cannot be attained in this life, we do pursue peace and holiness by the power of the Holy Ghost (Hebrews 12:14). When we sin as Christians, repentance affords us grace and forgiveness through Christ’s blood and His faithfulness (I John 1:6-10).