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Perhaps it was Augustine who first uttered the phrase: In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love. Hopefully that same spirit is communicated in our statement of faith which we present humbly with respect to those who have Biblical interpretations differing from our own.
* We believe the Bible to be God’s Word, inspired, inerrant, infallible, and completely relevant for our lives today.
* We also embrace the objective truths, first found in scripture, and summarized in the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed. Therefore:
* We believe in one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who is: Almighty, sovereign, all knowing, all powerful, and all present; Creator of the Heavens and Earth, all things seen and unseen.
* We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, who was fully God and fully man, who performed countless miracles, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified for our sins, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, descended to the dead, rose from the dead on the third day, made numerous appearances to His followers, ascended to the Father, and is presently enthroned at His Father’s right hand where He rules, intercedes, and awaits His physical return to earth to judge the living and the dead. His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.
* We believe in God, the Holy Spirit, The Giver of Life: Who dwells in those who have professed faith and are born anew; He comforts, convicts, guides, and sanctifies; He empowers us with His character, gifts, and graces, and conforms us into the image of Jesus Christ.
* We believe in the holy catholic (universal) church, comprised of all who have confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord.
* We believe in the communion of saints (all true believers) who are joined together in fellowship, for the purpose of worship, service, and mutual love, who seek to embody the Great Commandment and who eagerly engage in the Great Commission.
* We believe in the forgiveness of sins: That Jesus has completely forgiven those who have embraced His atoning sacrifice for their sins; that He remembers their sins no more.
* We believe in the resurrection of the body: That we, like Christ, will experience a bodily resurrection.
* We believe in the life everlasting: Eternal life in the presence of God for believers and eternal separation from God for those who have rejected His merciful saving grace. |
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