What We Believe

Below is a brief statement of fundamental beliefs to which we ascribe. We choose to focus mainly on those truths set forth in the major creeds of the church. We make every attempt to be "center set" doctrinally by focusing on what is fundamental to our faith while allowing for differences in interpretation in non-essential areas. Because of this we have great unity in our congregation that comes from the Holy Spirit and love rather than from insisting on absolute doctrinal uniformity. Historically doctrine quite often divides the church , but the Holy Spirit unites us in love. Our position allows for the fact that no one has a corner on the truth besides God. Our human understanding, though adequate, is limited. We must be open to God showing us more of His truth, even in areas in which we have strong convictions. "In essentials, unity: in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." (Click here to read a short paper regarding what is essential doctrine.)

This church accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice, and, for the purpose of maintaining general unity, has adopted the following statement of fundamental truths:

We believe the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God. We believe that there is one God, who has revealed Himself as three Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His Ascension to reign at the right hand of the Father, and in His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to judge the living and the dead and to rule forevermore. We believe that the only means of being forgiven and cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in Christ and His redemptive work. We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit, the new birth, is absolutely essential for personal salvation. We believe that the redemptive work of Christ provides for healing of the human body and soul. We believe that all disciples of Jesus Christ should be baptized in water. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to believers who ask for it in faith. We believe that the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is for today, and that the gifts are vital tools for ministry and evangelism. We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. We believe in the laying on of hands for ordination and impartation of spiritual gifts. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation.