What We Believe
The Bible
The Bible is the infallible Word of God. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were inspired by the Holy Spirit to those who wrote them down over a period of approximately 1,500 years. Despite this long stretch of time, the Bible remains consistent and is proven to be one of the most historically accurate books to ever be written. It contains everything necessary for living a godly life and finding salvation in Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16, John 17:17)
God
There exists only one God, the omnipotent Creator. At the beginning of time, He created the world in six literal days from nothing, yet He has always existed and will continue to exist for eternity. God consists of three persons united as one being -the Trinity. The three persons of the Trinity have functioned throughout history in different roles, yet united in a common will. God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26) and desires a personal relationship with them. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to be incarnated as the only perfectly sinless human being to ever live. He lived, died, and was resurrected so that those who serve Him could live in eternity with Him (John 3:16). He is coming back to rapture His followers, living and dead (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). The third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit, who was sent on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to indwell those who put their faith in Christ. He functions as the promised counselor and comforter (John 14:16), and as the prophesied spiritual baptism in fire (Matthew 3:11).
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God the Father (John 3:16), the second part of the Trinity. Approximately 2,000 years ago He chose to become a man, incarnated in flesh by a virgin birth (Luke 2). He was the only man to ever live a perfect, sinless life as the Word of God in flesh. He brought the Gospel to the world, performed miracles, and died as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Romans 5:8). He then rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4) as the Scriptures foretold and ascended into Heaven, where He prepares a place for those who follow Him (John 14:3). He will return again to rapture His Church before the end of time (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Sin
Sin can be simply defined as any thought or action that is contrary to the law and will of God (1 John 3:4). It is what separates mankind from God (Romans 3:23). It has been found in human nature since the fall of man (Genesis 3), and can only result in eternal death (Romans 6:23) because God cannot tolerate sin (Habakkuk 1:13).
Salvation
Salvation comes only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9). This salvation is seen prepared throughout Scripture by the Law of Moses (see Exodus and Leviticus), and was prophesied to come in the person of Jesus Christ by the prophets of ancient Israel. It comes by way of Christ’s death and resurrection. He died as the sinless, spotless, sacrificial lamb so that His bloodshed would atone for the sins of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20). He then resurrected to life so that those who believe in Him could also live with him (John 14:19).