STATEMENT
OF FAITH
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We believe
the Bible is the Word of God, inspired and without error in its original
manuscripts. It is our only source of authority in matters of faith,
conduct and truth.
We believe
there is one eternal God, personal and knowable, who manifests Himself in
three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Spirit. He is worthy of our worship, confidence and obedience.
We believe
in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We
believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, miracles, teachings, His
substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven,
perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to
earth.
We believe
the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict the lost of sin,
righteousness and judgement, place and seal the believer in the Body of
Christ, and make real the productive things of Christ in the believer's
life. We do not believe that any particular or special gift is a
necessary evidence of salvation or of being filled with the Holy
Spirit; although we do believe in the gifting and exercise of all
Biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We believe
in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit; perfect in holiness, wisdom,
power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully with the affairs of
men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and
death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
We believe
every person is born with a sin nature, is spiritually dead and cannot please
God until Christ gives Him eternal life. We believe salvation is by
God's grace. It must be received by faith apart from any human
performance or merit. It is a free gift of God to anyone who personally
places his confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on
the cross. We believe a truly born again person is secure in Christ.
We believe
that all believers should assemble in local congregations for mutual
edification, encouragement, evangelism, service and worship. In
obedience to God we participate in the signs of the New Covenant: The
Lord's Supper, and Baptism by immersion in water.
We believe
in
the rapture of God's church before the great tribulation, and the visible
return of Jesus Christ at the beginning of the millenial kingdom,
endless suffering of the wicked, and eternal life and blessing for
those who respond to God's love in Christ.