What we believe

There is only one true and living God. He is pure spirit, dwelling in unapproachable light. He exists eternally as three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are equal in power, glory, and being, yet are not three gods but one God. He is sovereign over all things: nothing happens outside His will or control. He is holy, all-knowing, all-powerful, unchanging, and perfectly just and loving.

Deuteronomy 6:4; John 4:24; Matthew 28:19; Isaiah 46:9–10; Psalm 115:3; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16

God created human beings in His own image, male and female, with dignity, purpose, and the capacity to know and enjoy Him. Through the disobedience of the first man, Adam, corruption and sin entered the human race. Every person is therefore born into corruption, sin and spiritual separation from God. All people stand guilty before a holy God and are unable to save themselves.

Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3; Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5; Romans 8:7–8

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man in one person. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, taught the truth of God, performed miracles, and willingly went to the cross. He died as a sacrifice for sin, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead on the third day. He ascended to heaven, where He now rules and intercedes for His people, and He will return visibly to judge the world and make all things new.

John 1:1–14; Philippians 2:5–11; Matthew 1:18–25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Hebrews 7:25

The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again so that sinners can be forgiven and made right with God. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace. It cannot be earned by good works or religious effort. It is received by turning from sin and trusting in Jesus alone. Those who believe are declared righteous, adopted as God’s children, and kept secure by His power.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 3:21–26; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 8:28–39

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He is the one who convicts the world of sin, gives new life to those who believe, lives inside every true Christian, produces spiritual fruit, gives gifts for service, and guides God’s people into truth. He never points to Himself but always glorifies Jesus.

John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–15; Acts 5:3–4; Titus 3:5; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

Marriage is a lifelong covenant established by God between one man and one woman. It was designed from the beginning for companionship, the raising of children, and the display of Christ’s relationship with His church. Sexual intimacy was created for this covenant alone. Any other arrangement falls outside of God’s good design and purpose.

Genesis 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–6; Romans 1:18–27; Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4

The Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, written Word of God. It is without error in all that it affirms, fully trustworthy, and the final authority for what we believe and how we live. The Holy Spirit guided the human authors so that what they wrote is exactly what God intended to say.

2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 19:7–11; John 17:17

The devil is a real, personal, created spiritual being who rebelled against God. He is the enemy of God and of God’s people. He tempts, deceives, and seeks to destroy, yet his power is limited and temporary. Through the cross Jesus has already defeated him, and his final judgment is certain.

1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9; John 8:44; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20:10

The church is the community of all who truly trust in Jesus Christ. It is both universal — all believers across time and place — and local, in gathered congregations. Christ is the Head of the church, and the church is His Body on the earth. Its purpose is to worship God, teach the truth, baptize and disciple believers, care for one another, take the gospel to the world, and display the multifaceted wisdom of God to the spiritual rulers and authorities.

Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22–23; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 4:11–16; Acts 2:42–47; Matthew 28:18–20

Jesus commanded that those who become His disciples be baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). In the ordinary Greek of the day the word βαπτίζω (baptizō) meant to plunge something fully under, like a ship sinking, or Naaman dipping himself seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:14, Septuagint).

Christian baptism is immersion: Christ immerses the believer in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8), and the church immerses the believer in water in His name (Acts 10:44–48). Those who repent and believe are baptized into Christ, buried with Him in His death, raised with Him to walk in new life, and joined to His one body. Scripture calls this a washing away of sins and the pledge of a clean conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus.Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21

Being immersed in water alone does not earn forgiveness; salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 15:8–9). Acts is careful to show this. At Pentecost the Spirit is promised to those who are baptized (2:38). In Samaria believers are baptized but the Spirit comes only later, when the apostles lay hands on them (8:14–17). At Cornelius’ house it is the other way round: the Spirit falls while Peter is still speaking, before any water, and only then does Peter command them to be baptized (10:44–48; 11:15–16). At Ephesus, water, hands, and Spirit all come together (19:5–6). Luke had four opportunities to create a consistent sequence and did not. What he shows instead is that the water and Spirit both belong to becoming a Christian.

Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and gloriously at a time known only to the Father. He will raise the dead, judge every person, and establish His everlasting kingdom. Believers will live forever with Him in a new heaven and new earth. Those who reject Him will face eternal separation from God.

Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Matthew 24:30–31; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–4