Statement of Faith

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, breathed out by the Holy Spirit, and is without error in the original manuscripts. It is our final authority for doctrine, life, and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-11; John 17:17

Bible Translations

The Scriptures were originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Faithful, essentially literal translations such as the NASB, ESV, NKJV and others are excellent tools for study and discipleship. Other high-quality translations include the BSB, NIV, KJV, NLT, NiRV, and NCV.

Paraphrases and teheologically slanted versions (for example, The Message or The Passion Translation) can be helpful devotional tools, but because they rephrase Scripture in the author's own words, they should not be used in place of a standard translation.

No single English translation is uniquely "authorized" or superior in inspiration. The so‑called "King James Only" view is mistaken: all faithful translations that accurately render the original languages are the Word of God in so far as they faithfully represent the original text. Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Corinthians 14:9, 19; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Bible Interpretation

Proper interpretation seeks the meaning God intended to communicate through the human authors in their original historical, cultural, and literary context. We normally read Scripture in its plain, grammatical‑historical sense, recognizing figures of speech, symbolism, and genre.

Because of the distance in time, culture, language, and geography between us and the biblical world, we should use sound tools—original languages, historical background, and careful exegesis, to understand Scripture. Where claims of science, culture, or human opinion contradict the clear teaching of Scripture, Scripture is always true, even when it is not mathematically precise (for example, rounding numbers or using symbolic language).

Scripture sometimes cites or alludes to non‑biblical sources; such references are inerrant in what Scripture affirms, even though the external sources themselves are not inspired or infallible. Luke 24:27; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Acts 17:2-3, 11; John 10:35; Proverbs 30:5

God

There is one living and true God, who exists eternally in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are one in essence and equal in deity, glory, and power.

God is love, life, and light. He is perfectly good, just, wise, and faithful, and every good and perfect gift comes from Him. God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. He is sovereign over all creation, yet His foreknowledge does not negate human responsibility, nor is He the author of sin. God is distinct from His creation, not part of it, but its holy Creator and Sustainer. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:8, 16; John 14:6; 1 John 1:5; James 1:17; Psalm 139:7-12; Psalm 147:5; Daniel 4:34-35; Acts 17:24-25; James 1:13

God the Father

God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. Scripture reveals Him as Father and consistently speaks of Him with masculine language, not because God is biologically male, but because this is how He has chosen to reveal Himself.

The Father is spirit and does not have a physical body. He is the source of all things, who sent the Son for our salvation and from whom the Holy Spirit proceeds. In the work of salvation, the Father is greater than the Son in role, yet the Father and the Son are equal in deity, glory, and nature. John 4:24; Matthew 6:9; John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-5; John 5:18; Philippians 2:6

God the Son: Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and of one essence with the Father. He became truly man through the virgin birth without ceasing to be God, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily on the third day, and now reigns as Lord and Savior. John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 1:15-17; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:4

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God, who convicts the world of sin, regenerates and indwells every believer, and empowers believers for holy living, witness, ministry, and spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit is active today, guiding, sanctifying, filling, healing, and distributing gifts according to His will. John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:8-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9-11, 14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:18

Creation, Creatures, and the Environment

God created the heavens, the earth, and all living things in six ordinary days, and all that He made was very good. Humanity was created to exercise wise and loving dominion over creation as God's stewards, not to exploit it wickedly. Animal and human death entered the world through sin, and creation now groans under the curse while awaiting its final restoration. Genesis 1:1-31; Exodus 20:11; Genesis 2:15; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:19-22

Originally, God allowed humans only to eat plants. After the flood God also gave animals to humanity for food, yet He commands His people to treat animals with compassion and not with needless cruelty. It is appropriate to kill animals for food, provision, and wise stewardship of Creation, but it is not pleasing to God to harm or kill animals for amusement, boasting, or without regard for their lives. A righteous person cares for the life of his animals and exercises dominion in ways that reflect God's character. Genesis 9:3; Genesis 1:26-28; Proverbs 12:10; Deuteronomy 22:6-7; Deuteronomy 25:4

Mankind

Human beings are created by God in His image, male and female, with inherent dignity, moral responsibility, and the capacity for relationship with Him and with one another. God created humanity to know Him, love Him, obey Him, and reflect His character in the earth. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Psalm 8:4-8; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Acts 17:26-28; James 3:9

The Fall

The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created good, upright, and capable of obeying God, but freely chose to disobey Him. Tempted by the serpent, they sought the knowledge of good and evil not by trusting God but by doing what He had forbidden, choosing to define good and evil apart from Him. Through this sin, death and brokenness entered the human race and the whole creation. All people now inherit a fallen condition and follow Adam and Eve's pattern by freely choosing sin, and so stand in need of God's saving grace. Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-7, 17-19; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 1:21-25; Ephesians 2:1-3

Sin

Sin is any thought, word, deed, desire, or disposition contrary to the will and character of God. All people are sinners by nature and by choice, and sin brings guilt, corruption, death, and separation from God. Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; 1 John 3:4; Isaiah 59:2; James 1:14-15; Ephesians 2:1-3

Hell

Hell is a real and final place of judgment, prepared for the devil and his angels, where those who die in unbelief and rebellion against God are eternally separated from His favorable presence and endure just punishment. God desires that none should perish, which is why He sent His Son so that all who believe may have eternal life. Matthew 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:14-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; John 3:16-18; 2 Peter 3:9

Judgment

God has appointed a final day of judgment in which every person will give account before Jesus Christ. The dead will be raised, the secrets and works of all will be revealed, and those whose names are written in the Book of Life will enter eternal life, while the wicked will enter eternal punishment. John 5:28-29; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:5-8, 16; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-46

Grace

Grace is God's completely undeserved and freely given favor toward sinners, grounded only in the person and work of Jesus Christ. By grace alone God forgives our sins, gives us new hearts and eternal life, adopts us as His children, and promises His steadfast love and favor forever. This grace, once received, does not leave us unchanged but trains and empowers us to deny ungodliness and to live in obedience to Jesus. Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; John 1:16-17; Psalm 103:8-12

Faith

Faith is personal trust and wholehearted reliance on Jesus Christ alone for salvation, resting on who He is and what He has done, not on our works. Saving faith includes turning from sin to God and openly confessing Jesus as King, and it is expressed through a life of love and obedience to His commands. We are justified by faith apart from works, yet the faith that justifies is never alone but shows itself through obedience and spiritual fruit. John 3:16; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:4-5; Galatians 2:16; John 14:15; James 2:17-18, 26

The Kingship of Christ

Jesus is not only Savior but also the rightful King over all creation. To believe in Him is to bow to His royal authority, confess Him openly, and give Him our ultimate allegiance and obedience. His protection, forgiveness, and favor are given freely by grace and not earned by our obedience, yet once we receive Him as King our lives are no longer our own, and we are called to follow Him in everything. Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 10:9-10; Luke 9:23; Colossians 1:13-14

The Incarnation

God the Father sent His eternal Son into the world, and by the Holy Spirit the virgin Mary conceived and bore Jesus, who is fully God and fully man. In His earthly life Jesus revealed the Father perfectly, lived without sin, and willingly died as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. On the third day He rose bodily from the dead, conquering sin and death and bringing the gift of life to all who believe. John 1:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Salvation

Salvation is God's work of rescuing sinners from sin and judgment and bringing them into eternal life with Him. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, not because of our works or merit. Those who repent of their sins, trust in Christ, and confess Him as King are forgiven, made new, and brought into a living relationship with God that begins now and continues forever, and this new life is evidenced by obedience and spiritual fruit. Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 10:27-28

Perseverance and Apostasy

All who truly belong to Christ are called to continue in faith, obedience, and trust in Him, and God is faithful to strengthen, preserve, and keep His people. Believers can have real assurance of salvation as they rest in Christ, walk with Him, and see the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. No external power can snatch a believer out of God’s hand, and nothing outside of us can separate us from the love of God in Christ.

At the same time, Scripture warns that a person may turn away from Christ through persistent unbelief, hardened rebellion, and deliberate repudiation of the faith. Apostasy is not accidental, nor is it the same as stumbling, struggling, doubt, temptation, or a season of weakness; rather, it is a settled turning from Jesus after having truly known Him. Therefore Christians must persevere in faith, remain watchful, encourage one another daily, and respond seriously to the warnings of Scripture, trusting God to keep us as we continue in Him. John 10:27-29; Romans 8:35-39; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 3:12-14; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22; 1 John 2:24-25

Forgiveness

In Christ, God freely forgives all who repent and believe, canceling their debt of sin and removing their guilt before Him. Forgiveness means God no longer holds our sins against us but restores us to fellowship with Himself, and He calls us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Ephesians 1:7; Psalm 103:10-12; 1 John 1:9; Matthew 6:12, 14-15

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is God's restoration of a broken relationship, first between Himself and sinners and then among people. Through the cross, God removes the barrier of sin and makes peace with all who believe, so that we are no longer His enemies but His friends and children, and we are called to pursue reconciliation with others. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 1:19-22; Matthew 5:23-24

In Christ, God is at work to reconcile all things to Himself, bringing the entire created order back under His peace and righteous rule. Through Jesus' death and resurrection He will ultimately remove the curse, renew heaven and earth, and publicly triumph over every power of darkness, so that everything in creation is set in right relation to God, some through salvation and others through just judgment. Colossians 1:19-20; Romans 8:19-22; Revelation 21:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

Adoption

In salvation God graciously adopts all who believe into His family, making us His sons and daughters and giving us the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” As adopted children of God, we are called to reflect His heart by caring for the fatherless, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. Galatians 4:4-7; Romans 8:15-17; James 1:27; Psalm 68:5-6

Identity

Every believer's true identity is found in relationship with God as Father, through union with Jesus the Son, and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In Christ we are new creations, beloved children of God, forgiven, accepted, and called to reflect His character. Earthly relationships can image this reality, but only a living relationship with God can fully establish and heal our identity. 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:14-17

Overcoming Sin

Believers overcome sin not by their own strength but through their union with Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. As we walk in honest confession, repentance, and faith, God forgives us, renews our minds, and enables us to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. Growth is a lifelong process, but in Christ we are no longer slaves to sin and can walk in increasing freedom and victory. Romans 6:6-14; Galatians 5:16-17; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 3:18

Love

Love is the greatest commandment, the greatest virtue, and the defining mark of a true disciple of Jesus. We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, including our brothers and sisters in Christ and even our enemies. Without love, even the most dramatic spiritual gifts, sacrifices, or achievements are empty and worthless in God's sight.

Love is more than a feeling; it is a choice and a way of life that reflects God's own character: patient, kind, truthful, holy, and self‑giving. True spiritual maturity is measured by love and by the fruit of the Spirit, not by knowledge, position, or the impressiveness of one's gifts. As we abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, God's love is poured into our hearts and flows out in practical acts of service, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion toward others. Mark 12:29-31; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 4-7, 13; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 5:5

Spiritual Disciplines

Christians are called to train for godliness through regular spiritual disciplines that deepen fellowship with God and conform us to Christ. These include prayer, Scripture reading, Scripture memory, meditation on God’s Word, worship, fasting, confession, fellowship, generosity, rest, and other biblical habits of devotion. These practices do not earn God’s favor, but they position us to abide in Christ, resist sin, grow in wisdom, and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

In particular, believers should not only read the Bible but also memorize it, meditate on it, and store it in their hearts. God’s Word strengthens faith, guards us from sin, renews our minds, equips us for ministry, and helps us remain steady in temptation, suffering, and spiritual conflict. Spiritual disciplines should therefore be pursued consistently, joyfully, and in faith—not as empty rituals, but as means of grace by which we know and love God more deeply. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 6:5-18; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:22-25

Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing work of God by which He makes believers more like Jesus in character, thought, and behavior. From the moment of salvation we are set apart as holy in Christ, and throughout our lives the Holy Spirit renews our minds, transforms our desires, and leads us into increasing obedience and freedom from sin.

Sanctification involves both God's power and our active response: we are called to abide in Christ, walk in the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the flesh, and practice spiritual disciplines, trusting that God is at work in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. Though believers still struggle with sin in this life, the overall direction of a Christian's life is toward Christlikeness, love, and holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Romans 6:19-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:16-25; Philippians 2:12-13

Healing

God is compassionate and powerful, and He continues to bring healing today in response to prayer, sometimes through ordinary means and sometimes in clearly supernatural ways. Jesus' earthly ministry was marked by healing the sick and delivering the oppressed, and He commissioned His followers to pray for the sick and minister in His name.

We believe it is biblical to ask God boldly for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and to expect Him to move, while also trusting His wisdom and goodness when healing is partial, delayed, or does not come in the way we hoped. Ultimate healing and wholeness are promised in the resurrection, but even now we rejoice in every sign of God's restoring power and compassion. Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 9:35; Luke 9:1-2; James 5:14-16

Tithing and Giving

Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and He calls His people to honor Him with their finances through generous, joyful, and sacrificial giving. Under the Old Covenant, Israel practiced the tithe and other offerings as a regular pattern of giving; under the New Covenant, believers are not under the Law but are called to give freely, cheerfully, and generously in response to God's grace, supporting the work of the local church, caring for those who labor in the gospel, and providing for the poor and needy.

While no fixed percentage is commanded for Christians, giving a tithe (a tenth) of one's income is a wise and time‑tested starting point for disciplined generosity, not a ceiling. Each believer should prayerfully decide before God what to give, aiming to grow in generosity over time as the Lord enables. Our giving should be done in faith, without grudging or show, trusting that God is able to supply all our needs as we seek first His kingdom.

Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:19-21, 33; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1 Timothy 5:17-18

Friendship

God designed people to live in relationship, and healthy friendships are vital for spiritual and emotional growth. Every Christian should cultivate friendships with other believers for encouragement, accountability, and mutual growth in Christ, while also building gracious relationships with unbelievers as witnesses to the gospel, recognizing that only fellow believers can provide the spiritual fellowship our souls most need. Proverbs 17:17; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Singleness

Singleness is a good and honored gift from God that allows for unique focus on Him and flexibility in serving His kingdom. Single believers are complete in Christ and can experience rich, lifelong friendships in the body of Christ, including deep same‑gender friendships that honor God and support holiness. Those who desire marriage are free to seek it in the Lord, but neither marriage nor singleness is spiritually superior; each is a calling to be stewarded faithfully. 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, 32-35; Matthew 19:12; Psalm 68:6

Marriage

Marriage is a lifelong covenant of unique, exclusive union between one man and one woman, designed by God to reflect His image and the relationship between Christ and His Church. It is a deep partnership in which husband and wife are joined as “one flesh,” sharing life, mission, and resources, and helping one another become all that God has called them to be.

After faith in Jesus, marriage is meant to be rooted in friendship: spouses are called to become one another's closest earthly companions, sharing joys, burdens, decisions, and spiritual growth. Together they receive the privilege and responsibility of raising children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, speaking godly identity and calling into their lives.

In marriage, husband and wife are equal in worth and dignity before God, yet called to complementary roles in the home. Both are commanded to mutual submission in Christ, with husbands loving their wives sacrificially as Christ loved the Church and laying down their lives for them, and wives honoring and supporting their husbands in the Lord. In this loving unity and self‑giving service, marriage is called to mirror the unity, faithfulness, and love that exist within the Trinity. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18, 24; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Divorce

God's design is that marriage be a lifelong, unbroken covenant, and divorce is always a tragic departure from His will. Jesus clearly teaches that what God has joined together, human beings must not separate, and He permits divorce only in the case of sexual immorality; the apostle Paul also recognizes abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. Outside these narrow exceptions, pursuing divorce is disobedience to Christ and brings serious spiritual harm. Even where these exceptions apply, followers of Jesus should first earnestly seek repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and should approach any consideration of divorce with fear of the Lord, deep humility, and submission to Scripture and wise pastoral counsel. Matthew 19:3-9, 10-12; Matthew 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 7:10-15

Remarriage

Because God designed marriage as a lifelong covenant, Scripture warns that remarriage after an illegitimate divorce is one and the same as ongoing adultery. Believers should not pursue remarriage if they remain bound by a marriage covenant that God (not church nor court) has not released, for example, where they themselves were the unrepentant offender in an unbiblical divorce. Those who are biblically free to remarry, such as widows and widowers and those released by a spouse's sexual immorality or unbelieving abandonment, may remarry in the Lord, but only with careful repentance where needed, thorough examination of Scripture, a genuine attempt at reconciliation where appropriate, and wise pastoral counsel, seeking above all to honor Christ and uphold the holiness and permanence of marriage. Matthew 19:9; Matthew 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 15; 1 Corinthians 7:39

LGBTQA+, Transgenderism, Gender Identity, Homosexuality, etc.

God created humanity in His image, male and female, and His good design is that our bodies, identities, and sexual desires align with His purposes. Sexual intimacy is a gift to be expressed within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. Any sexual behavior outside this covenant (including lust, fornication, adultery, homosexual behavior, and other practices contrary to Scripture) is sin and falls short of His design. Our hearts and desires have been deeply affected by the fall, so that even desires that once reflected good, God‑given needs for love, belonging, and security can become distorted into patterns of sin. God does not give us ungodly desires, but in our brokenness we often misinterpret and misuse good desires for love, identity, and safety in ways that lead us away from Him.

Struggles with sexual sin, same‑sex attraction, or gender confusion do not place anyone beyond the reach of God's grace or His love. Like all sin, these patterns grow out of a mixture of our experiences, wounds, choices, and the brokenness of the world, but they are never our true identity in Christ. In Jesus, anyone who comes to Him can find forgiveness, cleansing, and a new identity as a beloved child of God, and can begin a journey of healing and transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit. As disciples of Jesus we are called to submit our sexuality and our sense of gender to His Word, to walk with others in patience and compassion, and to support one another in the lifelong process of learning to live in obedience to Him. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 4:22-24

Abortion

Human life is a sacred gift from God, beginning at conception, and every unborn child bears God's image and deserves protection. Abortion, the intentional killing of an unborn human baby, is a grave sin and a violation of God's command not to murder. In cases where a pregnancy endangers the mother's life, every effort should be made to preserve both lives; if one life cannot be saved, priority may be given to saving the mother while grieving the loss of the child. God offers forgiveness, healing, and restoration to all who have participated in abortion and turn to Him in repentance and faith. Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 30:19; 1 John 1:9

Politics

Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords, and all earthly authorities are accountable to Him. The Church is called to bear witness to Christ and His kingdom in every sphere of life, including family, work, culture, and government, by proclaiming the gospel, pursuing justice and mercy, and praying for those in authority. Christians should engage in public life with courage, humility, and integrity, seeking laws and policies that honor God and protect the vulnerable, while remembering that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven and that no earthly nation or party fully represents God's kingdom. Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13:1-7; Micah 6:8; Philippians 3:20

Discernment, Fads, and False Claims

Christians are called to love truth, think clearly, and exercise discernment in every area of life. We must not be gullible, reactionary, or driven by fear, novelty, partisan outrage, anti-establishment impulses, or the desire to possess secret knowledge. Instead, we are called to test claims carefully, weigh evidence honestly, submit our thinking to Scripture, and pursue wisdom, humility, and intellectual integrity.

Therefore believers should beware of conspiracy theories, social fads, nutrition fads, fake science, shallow internet teaching, and confident claims—whether from media figures, activists, scientists, pastors, or political voices—that are not supported by sound evidence or faithful reasoning. Christians should reject both naive trust and cynical suspicion, resisting foolish myths and unprofitable speculations while holding fast to what is true, honorable, and well-founded. Proverbs 18:13; Proverbs 18:17; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 3:9; Philippians 4:8

Baptism

Baptism in water is commanded by Jesus for all who repent and believe in Him, and is the God‑ordained way for believers to publicly identify with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is for believers only, not for infants, and is normally by immersion as the clearest picture of dying and rising with Christ, though in cases of genuine necessity other modes may be used. Baptism does not earn salvation but is an act of obedience and confession flowing from saving faith and should be practiced in fellowship with the local church whenever possible. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12

Salvation begins the moment a person truly repents and believes in Jesus Christ, receiving God's grace by faith alone. Baptism is the God‑given, normal, and necessary first step of public obedience for a new believer. It is not something to be put off, and deliberate refusal to be baptized calls into question the genuineness of one's faith and submission to Christ. However, baptism itself does not save us or add to Christ's finished work; God saves by grace through faith, and He is able to save those who come to faith without opportunity for baptism. Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Peter 3:21

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a sacred ordinance given by Jesus Christ to His Church, in which believers eat the bread and drink the cup in remembrance of His body and blood given for us. In this meal we proclaim the Lord’s death, give thanks for His saving work, commune with Him and with one another as one body, and look forward to His return. The bread and cup do not become the literal body and blood of Christ, yet Christ is truly present with His people by the Holy Spirit as we partake in faith.

The Lord’s Supper is for baptized believers who are walking in repentance and faith, and it should be received with reverence, self-examination, and reconciliation with one another. Because it is a sign of our unity in Christ and participation in the new covenant, it should not be taken casually, hypocritically, or in persistent rebellion against God. Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

The Holy Spirit at Salvation

At the moment of salvation, every believer receives the Holy Spirit fully: He regenerates us, indwells us, and seals us as God's own, uniting us to Christ and to His body. From that moment, every Christian has access to the Spirit's presence, power, and gifts, because it is the same Holy Spirit who works all gifts in all believers as He wills. The Spirit bears witness that we are God's children, produces His fruit in our lives, and empowers us to put sin to death, live in obedience to Jesus, and participate in His mission. John 3:5-8; Romans 8:9-16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-25

Coming upon/Filling with/Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Scripture speaks of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit and of the Spirit coming upon them for boldness, power, and spiritual gifts. The New Testament also uses the phrase “baptized with the Holy Spirit” to describe what Jesus promised and later fulfilled at Pentecost, and to reflect on those events, but it does not give a formulaic, step‑by‑step description of a separate, standardized experience for all believers. In common Christian language, “baptism in the Holy Spirit” often refers to the first time a believer is consciously and powerfully filled or empowered by the Spirit in a way that they can feel or that is publicly evident, but Scripture shows that the Spirit's filling and empowering can take many forms and is not always accompanied by any single sign.

In line with this, we believe every Christian receives the Holy Spirit fully at conversion, and that the Spirit is able to manifest any of His gifts through any believer as He wills. Tongues appear in some accounts where the Spirit comes upon believers but not all, and the New Testament shows many different manifestations of the Spirit's work. Believers are therefore called to be continually filled with the Spirit, to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially those that build up the church, and to pray with expectant faith for God to move in power for the sake of the gospel and the good of others. This makes prayer far more than reciting a list; we come to a living King and expect Him to answer, often in the moment, with guidance, empowerment, and sometimes miraculous signs. Acts 1:5-8; Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 14:1

Spiritual Gifts

The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every believer for the glory of God and the building up of the Church. These include both “speaking” and “serving” gifts, as well as miraculous gifts such as healing, prophecy, tongues, and other manifestations of God's power. All the gifts listed in the New Testament are still available and active today, and the same Spirit who distributes them is able to work any gift through any believer as He wills. A person may begin to operate in spiritual gifts very soon after coming to Christ, even before they have much knowledge or maturity in the faith.

Spiritual gifts are not marks of spiritual superiority or maturity but tools for love and service, and they must always operate under the authority of Scripture and in the character of Jesus. True maturity is measured by Christlike character and the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated over time and in the midst of adversity, not by the number or impressiveness of one's gifts. Believers are encouraged to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially those that strengthen the church, and to pray with expectant faith for God to move in power, often in connection with evangelism and ministry to the hurting. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Romans 12:4-8; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4; Ephesians 4:13-15; John 15:8

The Church

The Church is the one people of God made up of all who have been born again and united to Christ by the Holy Spirit, across all times and places. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and by His Spirit He gathers, builds, and sustains His people. Local churches are visible expressions of this one Church, where believers regularly gather around the Word and the presence of God for worship, prayer, teaching, fellowship, the Lord's Supper, and mission.

Every believer is a member of the body of Christ and receives spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit for the good of others. Therefore all Christians are called to active participation in the life and ministry of a local church, serving, encouraging, and building one another up in love under the leadership Christ provides. Leadership in the Church should be humble, Holy Spirit–led, and accountable, following the pattern of servant leadership taught by Jesus and the apostles, and recognizing that God calls and gifts both men and women to contribute significantly to the work of the Church. Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4-7, 11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 5:1-4

The primary mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ among all peoples by proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, baptizing new believers, and teaching them to obey everything He commanded. This includes evangelism, church planting, and intentional discipleship in the power of the Holy Spirit so that believers grow into maturity in Christ.

As the Church carries out this mission, it is also called to demonstrate the compassion and power of Jesus through works of mercy and justice, prayer, healing, deliverance, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, pointing to the presence of God's kingdom. Every believer has a role in this mission, using his or her gifts, opportunities, and sphere of influence to serve others, bear witness to Christ in word and deed, and partner with God's purposes locally and to the ends of the earth. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Luke 4:18-19; James 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Church Leadership

Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and all church leadership exists under His authority and for the good of His people. He gives leaders to equip the saints, protect sound doctrine, shepherd the flock, and help the whole body grow into maturity. Church leaders must therefore be humble, prayerful, teachable, morally faithful, and accountable, leading as servants rather than as rulers, controllers, or celebrities.

We recognize biblically qualified elders/pastors and deacons as enduring leadership roles in the local church. These leaders are called to model godly character, teach sound doctrine, care for souls, and govern faithfully in submission to Christ and His Word. Leadership in the Church should never be domineering, manipulative, or self-exalting, but should reflect the gentleness, courage, holiness, and sacrificial love of Jesus. Questions concerning who may hold particular offices should be handled with sobriety, humility, and fidelity to the whole counsel of Scripture. Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Mark 10:42-45

Women in Ministry

God created both men and women in His image and calls both to follow Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit, and use their gifts for the building up of the Church. Throughout Scripture, women are honored as disciples, prophets, servants, patrons, teachers in appropriate settings, co-laborers in ministry, and witnesses to God’s saving work. We therefore reject every form of misogyny, domination, or cultural patriarchy that suppresses the gifts, voices, or ministry of women, and we affirm that women should be encouraged, equipped, and empowered to serve boldly and faithfully in the life and mission of the Church.

At the same time, Scripture also shows a recurring pattern of male leadership in certain covenantal and governing roles, including the patriarchs, priests, kings, the twelve apostles, and likely the elder-pastor office in the local church. Because of this pattern, and because the biblical evidence is not simplistic, we approach questions of church office with humility and caution. We believe complementarity in marriage is not identical to church leadership, and we do not believe the Bible teaches a broad exclusion of women from ministry. Rather, we seek to honor the full witness of Scripture: gladly receiving women in every form of ministry clearly commended by the Bible, while handling disputed questions about eldership and senior pastoral office with sobriety, charity, and submission to the Word of God. Genesis 1:27; Judges 4:4-5; Joel 2:28-29; Luke 8:1-3; Luke 10:38-42; Acts 2:17-18; Acts 18:24-26; Romans 16:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

Evangelism, Missions, and Church Planting

God calls His people to proclaim the good news of Jesus to all nations so that people may hear, believe, and be saved. Faith comes by hearing the message about Christ, and it is the responsibility and privilege of the Church to send and to go, sharing the gospel in everyday relationships, supporting and participating in missions, and planting new churches so that communities everywhere have living, local witnesses to Jesus and His kingdom.

Scripture also teaches that God has written His law on human hearts and that even those without the written Law have consciences that bear witness to right and wrong. This inner witness is enough to show God's righteousness and our accountability to Him, for better or worse, on the day of judgment, but it is not a substitute for the saving knowledge of Christ. Therefore the urgency of evangelism and missions remains great: we expect God to draw people by His Spirit as they hear the gospel, and we go in confidence that He is already at work in their hearts. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 13:2-3; Acts 14:21-23; Romans 10:14-17; Romans 2:14-16

Predestination

The Bible teaches that God, in His wisdom and love, predestined that all who are in Christ would be adopted as His children, conformed to the image of His Son, and brought to glory. Predestination in Scripture primarily describes God's gracious plan and destiny for His people in Christ, not an arbitrary choice that forces some individuals to be saved and others to be lost. God genuinely desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, and He has chosen that those who are united to Christ by faith share in all the blessings He planned beforehand for His people. Ephesians 1:4-5, 11; Romans 8:29-30; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9

Free Will

God created human beings with real free will as part of being made in His image, reflecting in a limited way His own freedom to choose. He invites all people to respond to Him, and He holds us truly responsible for our decisions. Though all people are affected by sin and cannot save themselves, God genuinely draws all, convicts them by His Spirit, and offers salvation to everyone through the gospel. When Scripture speaks of God hardening hearts, it does so in ways that fit with people’s own prior choices and God’s temporary purposes in history, not as God forcing willing people into damnation against their will. Those who are saved are saved by God’s grace; those who are lost are lost because they freely and persistently reject His gracious offer. Genesis 1:26-27; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; John 12:32; John 16:8-9; Romans 2:4; Romans 9:18-23

Angels

God created angels as holy spiritual beings who serve Him, worship Him, and carry out His will. Scripture shows that angels minister to God’s people, rejoice in His saving work, and are sometimes sent by Him to protect, strengthen, or deliver His servants. Christians should acknowledge the reality of angels with gratitude and sobriety, but should not seek them, pray to them, speculate beyond Scripture, or give them undue attention. Colossians 1:16; Psalm 103:20-21; Hebrews 1:14; Luke 15:10; Acts 12:7-11; Revelation 22:8-9

Demons

Satan and the demons are fallen spiritual beings who rebelled against God and now oppose His purposes by deception, temptation, accusation, oppression, and destruction. They are real and active, but they are not equal to God, they remain under His authority, and they have been decisively defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians should take demonic activity seriously without becoming fearful, fascinated, or speculative, rejecting occult practices, conspiracy thinking, and teachings about the spiritual realm that go beyond what Scripture clearly reveals. We should be especially cautious of confident claims about demonic names, hierarchies, territorial powers, or hidden mechanisms of the spiritual world when such claims are not plainly grounded in the Bible. John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15; James 4:7; Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Acts 19:18-20

Spiritual Warfare

Christians live in a real spiritual conflict and must therefore be alert, sober-minded, and actively engaged in prayer. We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil, and so we are called to stand in the armor of God, resist the devil, test spirits and teachings, and rely on truth, righteousness, faith, Scripture, and the authority of Jesus Christ. It may at times be appropriate for believers to pray directly against demonic activity and, under the authority of Jesus, to command evil spirits to leave; yet all such ministry must be done with humility, discernment, love, and submission to Scripture. In spiritual warfare, Christians must avoid both unbelief and obsession: we must neither deny the spiritual realm nor become preoccupied with it, but remain centered on Christ, obedient to His Word, and devoted to faithful prayer. Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 4:1-4; James 4:7; Luke 10:17-20; Mark 16:17; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Peter 5:8-9

The Second Coming

Jesus Christ will personally, visibly, and gloriously return to earth at the end of this age. At His coming, the dead in Christ will be raised, living believers will be caught up to meet Him (this is called the rapture), and together we will be gathered to Him forever. His return is our blessed hope and should lead believers to live in holiness, perseverance, and eager expectation. Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Titus 2:11-13; Hebrews 9:28

The End Times

In the end times, Scripture teaches that there will be increasing lawlessness, deception, and hostility toward God and His people. Before Jesus returns there will be a period of great tribulation on the earth, marked by severe persecution of believers, widespread spiritual deception, and powerful supernatural events. During this time a final antichrist figure will arise to worldwide prominence, opposing God, exalting himself, deceiving many with false signs and wonders, and making war against the saints.

We believe that Christians will remain on earth during this tribulation, called to perseverance, holiness, and faithful witness in the midst of suffering. Many will fall away, but God will also pour out His Spirit in powerful ways, and the gospel of the kingdom will be preached as a testimony to all nations. Followers of Jesus are commanded to stay spiritually awake, sober‑minded, and discerning, testing teachings and leaders carefully, especially popular figures whose lives and track record do not reflect mature, obedient Christianity. We must be ready to endure persecution and to trust God through the great calamities and judgments He will bring on the world during this time, knowing that these events will be devastating, yet that God is able to protect, guide, and sustain His people and calls us to respond with wisdom and preparedness rather than fear.

At the close of this tribulation, Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and gloriously. On that day, the dead in Christ will be raised, and believers who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord as He comes, and together we will accompany Him in His public victory over the powers of darkness. This gathering of the saints to Christ (often called the “rapture”) occurs at His return, not as a separate secret event before the tribulation. While some Christians hope for a pre‑tribulation or mid‑tribulation rapture, and we would gladly welcome such mercy from God, we do not presume upon it; instead, we prepare our hearts and lives as though we will walk faithfully with Jesus through the tribulation.

After His return, Christ will establish His kingdom and reign on the earth for a thousand years, fulfilling God's promises and bringing justice, peace, and restoration under His righteous rule. After this millennial kingdom, Satan will be released for a short time, will once more deceive the nations, and will then be finally and forever defeated. Then will come the last judgment, when all people will stand before God; those whose names are written in the Book of Life will enter into eternal joy with God, and those who have rejected Him will face eternal separation. God will create a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells, and His people will live with Him forever in unbroken fellowship, worship, and joy.

Matthew 24:3-14, 21-31, 42-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 6:1-17; Revelation 13:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:1-15; Revelation 21:1-5