What We Believe
The first thing that needs to be said is that beliefs without practice is dead.
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because it had been founded on rock. Matthew 7:24-25 (NET1)
God would rather have us know a little and live by it than know a lot without putting it into practice.
Secondly, we choose to focus on those truths set forth in the major creeds of the church in an attempt to be "center set" doctrinally. We choose to major on what is fundamental to our faith while allowing for differences in interpretation in non-essential areas. This enables us to have unity that comes from the Holy Spirit rather than from insisting on absolute doctrinal uniformity. Historically doctrine has divided the church, but the Holy Spirit unites us in love. If believing or not believing a certain doctrine will not affect your eternal destiny, we do not make it a litmus test for our church. 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." If you have a particular doctrinal question, feel free to contact the pastor to discuss the matter.
Thirdly, we believe that the Holy Spirit's ministry is the same today as during the first days of the church. He still indwells and empowers his people to be witnesses to Christ. We also believe the baptism of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are still available to God's people.
That being said, our 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 as found in the Apostles' Creed.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen.