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Our Beliefs
Statement of Beliefs
As followers of Jesus Christ, we hold to the beliefs stated below. We consider these to be the
essentials of Biblical Christianity, and the foundations of our faith and practices:
We believe:
- God is the maker and sustainer of the universe. He has always existed as one, yet in three equal
persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God works throughout history for the renewal of all creation with perfect power, wisdom, goodness, and love.
- God became human in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a faultless life in absolute obedience
to God, and offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead on the third
day, showing His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again to earth to reign.
- The Gospel is the good news that new and eternal life is a gift of God's grace to all who will receive it by
faith. Though humanity has tremendous potential for good, it is marred by indifference and disobedience to God, and in need of the forgiveness, renewal, and enabling of God. Self-improvement or
good works can never set us right with God. It is by trusting in and committing ourselves to Jesus Christ alone as God's offer of forgiveness that we can be saved -- made right with and at peace
with God forever.
- The foundation of our belief is the entire Bible, written by human authors who were inspired by God. The Bible is the only reliable Word of God, and the final authority in all matters
pertaining to Christian faith and practice. The Word is inspired insofar as God intended it to be inspired; we have what God intended for us to have. Every effort should be made to interpret
Scripture in its context and purpose, and in reverent obedience to the Lord who speaks through it in living power.
- There is one, holy, universal Church. All who place their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and are made new by the Holy Spirit, form the living Body of Christ. The church exists
locally all over the world through groups of such followers of Jesus banding together.
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We acknowledge there are other matters of Christian belief not addressed here, many about which there can be legitimate disagreement within Christianity. For the sake of the witness
of our unity, we desire to accept and allow for diversity in any area that is not essential to Biblical Christianity. We agree to disagree in some areas, humbly and lovingly expressing our Biblical
interpretations, yet always aware of human limitation and open to learning and correction. We desire our church to be inclusive wherever Scripture affirms. As has been said by others, — In essentials,
unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.
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