This Statement of Faith is not intended to be exhaustive of all that we believe, but it does state the essential doctrines of Scripture which establish our identity in Christ and the definition of our commission and provisions for ministry.

On such doctrines our unity is established in Christ and Scripture. On all matters of opinion we are allowed liberty, and in this diversity we must express the love we have all found in Christ.

that the Holy Bible is the uniquely, Holy Spirit inspired Word of God and fully authoritative and infallible in matters of faith and practice (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:21).

that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are of one substance and equal in power and glory (cf. Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Jn. 1:1; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:6-11; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Jn. 15:26).

in the historic virgin birth of Jesus the Messiah, who was both fully God and fully human. He lived a sinless life. He died on the cross as a sinnerÕs substitute, shedding His blood for the remission of sin. He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God to perform the ministry of intercession; and He shall come again, personally and visibly, to complete the eternal plan of God (cf. Matt. 1:18, 25; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 1:2-3; Acts 1:11).

that man and woman were created in the image of God but through disobedience fell from a sinless state. Through the Fall, all of humanity was sentenced to eternal death. Men and women can be delivered from this condition by the grace of God, through faith, on the basis of the work of Christ (cf. Gen. 1:27; Rom. 5:1-21; Titus 3:4-7; Eph. 2:8-9).

in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who applied the work of Christ to men and women through justification, regeneration, and sanctification. He makes it possible for a person who believes in Christ to live in this present world a godly life characterized by love, witness, righteousness and holiness (cf. Titus 3:4-7; Jn. 3:3, 5-8; 16:7-11; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Rom. 8:1-4; Jn. 13:35; Acts 1:8; Eph. 4:24; Rev. 12:9; 20:2).

the Church is composed of all those who have received the saving grace of God and thus been born again. The New TestamentÕs pattern for receiving this grace is to embrace Jesus Christ by believing in Him, repentance, and being immersed into Christ. This grace is confirmed in the obedient life of each believer through the fruits produced by the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27; 5:22-25; 2 Pet. 1:3-11).

those composing the Church are given the specific charge to carry on the ministry of Jesus in each age until His return. No elements of this ministry being more important than the worship of God, the edification of the Church, the evangelization of the world, and ministry to the physical and social needs of the world. To enable the Church to accomplish these tasks, Christ, through His Spirit, has given spiritual gifts to every member of His Church. Consequently, every member of the Church is a minister; therefore, both individually and corporately, they are called to be responsible for the fulfillment of their ministries. At ChristÕs return the Church will receive all blessings pledged to her, and she will be ushered into her consummated glory (cf. Matt. 5:13-16; 28:19-20; Heb. 12:28-29; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:11-16; Matt. 25:31-46; Jas. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:7; Rom. 12:6; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Eph. 5:25-32; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 21:1-7).