general doctrine
We believe the whole Bible to be wholly true(1). We believe the Bible to be the absolute and infallible Word of God(2) written for our instruction to live a life of peace(3) and righteousness(4). We believe in the One True God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God who is the Father of Jesus Christ(5). We believe that all mankind are born separated from God(6) because of the sin that entered into the world through the fall of Adam(7) . We believe that in God’s love for all mankind He chose to send His Son to the earth, born of a virgin by the power of The Holy Spirit, to be crucified on a cross(8), in order to remove the barrier of sin between us and Himself(9) . We believe that Jesus Christ is the absolute only way to the Father(10). We believe that every individual must choose personally to accept the free gift of grace afforded to us by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ(11), in order to have a restored relationship with God and enter into the kingdom of heaven(12). We believe that upon salvation, a person is completely forgiven of their past debt of sin and becomes a new creation in the eyes of God(13), is filled with the Holy Spirit of God(14), will desire to follow His will and instructions(15) and will be recognizably different from the pattern of those apart from Christ(16).
(1) John 17:17, (2) 2 Timothy 3:16, (3) Matthew 7:24-27, (4) Hebrews 4:12-13, (5) Matthew 1:1-2, (6) Isaiah 59:2, (7) Genesis 3, (8) John 3:16, (9) Colossians 2:13-15, (10) John 14:6, (11) Romans 10:9-13, (12) Colossians 1:21-22, Romans 5:6-11, (13) 2 Corinthians 5:17, (14) Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, (15) John 14:15, (16) 1 Peter 2:11-12, Romans 12:1-3, James 4:4
key doctrine
Grace Salvation
We believe that all mankind has been separated from God through the act of one man’s (Adam) rebellion and that through the act of one Man’s (Jesus Christ) obedience we have been afforded the opportunity to be reconciled in our relationship with God through grace(1). We believe that the only way to The Father is through The Son, Jesus Christ (2). Without Jesus serving as our sacrificial sin offering we would forever be cursed and cut off from God(3).
(1) Romans 5:12-21, (2) John 14:6 (3) John 1:29-30
Water Baptism
We believe that Jesus showed by example the biblical basis for water baptism(1) . We believe that a biblical model for baptism is one that is conducted by bodily submersion(2) . We believe that baptism should take place only following salvation(3) We acknowledge that baptism is not a step or method of salvation, but is a symbolism and act of obedience that we are called to, following salvation as described above(4).
(1) Matthew 3:16, (2) Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:36-39, (3) Acts 2:40-41, Acts 9:1-18, Acts 10:47-48, (4) Romans 6:3-5
Gifts of The Spirit
We believe in the gifts of The Spirit as outlined in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 1 Corinthians 12:27-30. We contend that the gifts of The Spirit are not learned, but are freely distributed by God according to His perfect will(1). As much as we acknowledge the gifts of The Spirit as outlined within The Word, we acknowledge and insist upon a clear order in how those gifts are to be used(2) . We believe it to be the utmost importance that every gift of The Spirit works together to meet one common goal, to show people the love of God(3).
(1) Hebrews 2:4, (2) 1 Corinthians 14, (3) 1 Corinthians 12:31 – 1 Corinthians 13
Eternal Security
We believe in eternal security. Any person who, in simple faith, places their trust in Jesus Christ receives the gift of eternal life(1). Eternal life never ends(2). Every child of God is sealed by the Holy Spirit and safe and secure for all eternity(3). A Christian can lose their fellowship, joy and power and rewards but their relationship with God is eternal (4). We do not entertain the idea that a person can lose their salvation, rather we strive to educate people on what biblical salvation is and guide people into a personal and authentic decision for Christ(5). We do not believe that an individual can choose to walk away from the grip of salvation and grace of God. We believe that once we have truely tasted salvation, nothing in our desire can curse us and cut us off from Christ(6).
(1) John 5:24, John 6:47, Romans 11:29, (2) John 10:27-30, (3) Ephesians1:12-14, (4) Romans 8:28-39, (5) Romans 8:9-11, (6) Romans 9:1-3
Predestination and Free Will
The Bible teaches predestination and the unconditional election of God, with God being sovereign in salvation(1). In His sovereignty, we believe that God created every individual with a clear plan and purpose designed to prosper them, rather than harm them(2) and desires for all humanity to be reconciled to Himself(3). The Bible also tells us to believe in Jesus, assuming a definite measure of free will(4). We hold to both predestination and free will(5). We do not attempt to logically reconcile the two. We accept them both as true, working together to restore the shattered relationship between mankind and God(6). The doctrine of free will and predestination is a complex mystery and we wait on further understanding, once we are in heaven(7). We challenge people to believe in Jesus(8), but we pray to God to open their eyes and give them faith, and we give Him all the credit if they do turn to Jesus.
(1) Romans 11:1-32, Romans 8:28-29, John 6:44, (2) Psalm 139:13-17, Jeremiah 29:11, (3) 2 Peter 3:8-9, John 3:16, (4) John 3:13-18, John 3:35-36, John 5:23-25, John 6:35-40, Romans 1:16, Romans 10:8-10, (5) Romans 9-11, Ephesians 1:3-14, (6) 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 11:33-36, (7) Ephesians 3:1-13, (8) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
