Statement of Beliefs
We believe that our doctrinal understandings must be rooted firmly in the scriptures of the Bible. Therefore, we have provided proof scriptures to support our statements. The verses follow ing each statement are linked to online Bible resources from logos.com. Hold you mouse over an hyperlinked (underlined) verse to see the scripture. Click "more" to see the full quotation.
God
God is the creator and the sustainer of the universe; an eternal, all knowing, all powerful spirit being whose nature is to be merciful, loving, and forgiving. God is revealed in the Bible as a family, currently consisting of the Father and the Son. God has made covenants with and promises to mankind and has provided opportunity for us to know Him and become His children.
Reference Verses for God
Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:1-3; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:10; Revelation 1:18, 15:7; Daniel 2:20-22; Isaiah 40:28; Mark 10:27; John 3:16, 17:5; Titus 3:5; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 136:1; Daniel 9:18; Hebrews 5:5; John 10:30; Mark 12:29; I John 2:22-24; Hebrews 8:6-13; Luke 1:70-72; Romans 8:14-17; John 1:12; Genesis 9:11-17
Jesus Christ*
Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah. He has existed throughout eternity. Scripture describes Him as fully human and fully divine. He became human by miraculous birth, lived a sinless life, died as our Passover sacrifice, and was resurrected. He ascended to heaven and acts as our high priest. He will return to establish the kingdom of God and rule as King of kings.
*His Hebrew name is Yahshua.
Reference Verses for Jesus Christ
Matthew 2:3-6, 16:16; Luke 2:11; John 1:41, 4:25-26, 6:68-69; John 1:1-14, 17:5; Revelation 1:8, 11, 17-18; Hebrews 13:8; Colossians 2:9; Luke1:35; Matthew 1:20, 25; I John 4:2-3; Matthew 1:18, 20-23 Hebrews 4:15-16, 9:14; II Corinthians 5:21; I Corinthians 5:7; John 19:36; Exodus 12:46; Luke 18:31-33; Matthew 28:5-7; Psalm 16:10; Acts1:9-11; Hebrews 3:1, 7:20-28; Revelation 1: 4-7; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:11-16; Jude 14-15; Luke 21:27; John 14:3; Matthew 16:27; Zechariah 14:4,9
Holy Spirit
The holy spirit is the essence, power, mind, and spiritual extension of the God family. It is a guiding force leading us to conversion and is given to us at baptism as a down payment (earnest) of eternal life. It is God's presence in our lives and strengthens us and bears witness that we are the children of God. The holy spirit is God's gift, given to those who obey Him.
Reference Verses for Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8, 2:1-4; John 14:15-21, 26; I John 2:27; Romans 8:9-17; Ephesians 2:18; 1:13-14; II Corinthians 1:18-22; Acts 2:38; Acts 7:55; Ephesians 1:17-19; Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:26-27; Acts 5:32, 10:45; Romans 5:5
The Bible
The whole Bible is the divinely inspired word of God. The old and new testaments fit together and reveal a right way of life and God's plan of salvation.
Reference Verses for The Bible
II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 4:4
Mankind
Humans are physical beings, created in the image of God, but with no inherent immortality. Although composed of flesh and blood, there is a spirit in man (in the human mind) which makes man more than just an intelligent animal. As part of His plan, God offers mankind eternal life as a gift, making it possible for us to become the children of God. As God's children, humans are the potential heirs of the universe and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.
Reference Verses for Mankind
Ecclesiastes 9:10; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Genesis 1:26-27; Job 34:14-15; I Timothy 6:16; Job 32:8; Ecclesiastes 3:21; I Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:23; Romans 8:14-17; I John 3:1-2; John 3:16; Galatians 4:6-7
Angels
Before creating man and the physical universe as we see it today, God created powerful spirit beings, which the Bible refers to as angels, to serve God and to act as his agents and messengers. They were created with free moral agency and given various levels of power and responsibility. Although created to help God, some angels, led by Satan the devil, rebelled against God and are now demons.
Reference Verses for Angels
Job 38:4-7 and Isaiah 14:12-15; Hebrews 1:7, 14; Luke 1:19; Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Jude 6; Ezekiel 28:12-18; Jude 9; Daniel 10:1-12:13; Revelation 4:8 and Isaiah 6:2-3; Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 25:31, 41; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:4-9; I John 3:8; Luke 11:18
Salvation
God offers mankind an opportunity to be saved from the consequence of his sinful life - death. This is possible because Jesus Christ already paid the penalty for mankind's sin by his sacrificial death. The process of salvation includes an individual's calling, repentance, baptism, justification, receiving of the Holy Spirit, life of faith and obedience, and finally being born into God's family as His child. Salvation is a freely given gift of God, through His unmerited pardon (grace).
Reference Verses for Salvation
Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:12-14; Romans 5:10; John 3:16-17; Hebrews 6:1-2; John 6:44; Romans 2:13, 3:30-31; John 3:5-8; Romans 8:18-19; I Peter 1:23 and I Corinthians 15:47-54; Ephesians 2:8, 4:4-7; Philippians 2:12; Revelation 22:12; Matthew 16:27; Psalm 62:12
Faith
Faith is the sure knowledge that God exists and that He will accomplish those things which He has promised to His people. Faith is the expectation of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Reference Verses for Faith
Romans 1:17, 10:17; Hebrews 11:1-3,6; James 2:17
Repentance
Repentance occurs when one acknowledges his sins (that he deserves punishment for them), is moved by godly sorrow to change his life, and sincerely asks God to forgive him of breaking His holy law. True repentance must be granted by God and is the first step in following His way of life which is the way of salvation.
Reference Verses for Repentance
I John 1:9-10; Romans 3:23; Acts 2:38; II Corinthians 7:10; Acts 3:19; I John 3:4; Acts 11:18; II Timothy 2:25-26; Romans 2:4; II Samuel 12:13; II Peter 3:9
Baptism
Baptism is the second step in obeying God. It is a symbolic act which Jesus Christ himself submitted to as an example to us. The ceremony of baptism is performed by immersion in water, representing death, burial, and resurrection. The baptized individual has become an adopted child of God, spiritually begotten, awaiting birth in God's family at the second coming of Christ.
Reference Verses for Baptism
Acts 2:38; Matthew 3:13-17; I Peter 2:21; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-8, 8:15, 8:23, 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5; I Peter 1:3; I John 5:18
Laying on of Hands
The laying on of hands is an act for which we have biblical examples. The church recognizes that laying on of hands is appropriate for special occasions and purposes such as receiving God's spirit at baptism, ordaining individuals for spiritual office in the church, anointing of the sick, and the blessing of little children.
Reference Verses for Laying on of Hands
Hebrews 6:2; Acts 6:1-6; Mark 10:13-16; Acts 8:14-17, 9:17-18; I Timothy 4:14; Acts 13:2-3; James 5:14
Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is to be a literal, world ruling government with Jesus Christ as king and the saints (children of God) reigning and serving with Him. Often called the millennial reign because its initial stage will last for one thousand years, the kingdom of God will be completely fulfilled when the Father moves His throne to the newly re-created sin-free earth.
Reference Verses for Kingdom of God
Luke 1:33; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:44, 7:27; Hebrews 10:12-13; Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:4-6; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 21:1-3, 10; Isaiah 65:17-25; I Corinthians 15:24-28
Gospel
The gospel is the good news that salvation is available to humankind through Christ Jesus. It includes the examples He set for us in His human life, as well as the message that Christ will bring His kingdom to this earth and that we can reign with Him. Spreading the gospel is a primary responsibility of the church.
Reference Verses for Gospel
John 3:16-17; I Peter 2:21; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:14-15; Revelation 5:10, 20:4; Zechariah 14:4-5; Matthew 28:19-29; Luke 24:44-47; II Timothy 4:1-2; II Timothy 1:17
Resurrections
The Bible reveals multiple resurrections including Jesus Christ's as the "first fruits from the dead", the "first resurrection" of those who have died in Christ, a "resurrection to life", and a "resurrection to damnation". God will use these resurrections to work out His plan, making salvation available to all mankind in accordance with Christ's promise to draw all men unto Him.
Reference Verses for Resurrections
I Corinthians 15:20, 23; Hebrews 11:35; Ezekiel 37:5-6; I Corinthians 15:51-55; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:4-6, 12-15; John 5:28-29; II Peter 3:9; John 12:32; I Peter 1:17; Acts 10:34-35
Judgment
Judgment is an ongoing process which God begins in a person and continues until the death of the individual or the return of Jesus Christ, whichever occurs first. God is keeping a record of our lives and will judge our works, good and evil, and shall purify His people.
Reference Verses for Judgement
I Peter 4:17; Jude 14-15; I Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 7:14, 20:12-15; Daniel 12:10; I John 3:3
Law of God
The law of God, including the ten commandments, is given by God to man as a guide for living righteously. It reflects God's own character and was magnified and made honorable by Jesus Christ. God's law is perfect, converting men's lives and leading them into wisdom and peace.
Reference Verses for Law of God
Exodus 20:1-17; Mark 16:17-19; Romans 7:12; Psalm 119:137-144; James 1:25; Matthew 5:17-19, 22:36-40; Isaiah 42:21; John 14:15, 21; Psalm 19:7, 119:165; I John 5:2-3; James 2:10-12
Sabbath
The seventh day sabbath was instituted by God at creation for all mankind, reaffirmed to Israel as part of the ten commandments at Mt. Sinai, and was observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the new testament church. It remains a weekly reminder of creation and a day of rest for the followers of Christ today. It will continue to be in force in the millennium. The sabbath is a perpetual sign between God and His people and its observance is basic to the christian's relationship with God.
Reference Verses for Sabbath
Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:8-11; Luke 4:16, 31; Luke 23:56; Mark 1:21, 2:28, 6:2; Acts 13:14, 42-44, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4; Hebrews 4:4-11; Isaiah 66:23; Exodus 31:13-17; I John 5:2-3; Revelation 12:17; James 4:8; Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 56:2; Isaiah 56:4-7
Annual Holy Days
The high sabbaths were ordained by God and were observed by His people in the old and new testament periods. The holy days will also be in force in the kingdom of God during the millennium along with the weekly sabbath. These "appointed feasts" are a blessing to mankind and beautifully fit together to picture God's plan of salvation.
Reference Verses for Annual Holy Days
Leviticus 23:1-4; Acts 2:1; I Corinthians 5:7-8; Acts 20:16; Nehemiah 8:18; Zechariah 14:16-20; Isaiah 66:23; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:9-11; Deuteronomy 30:15-19
Tithing
Tithing is a biblical method of supporting the work of God and those who serve. Although the church teaches the responsibility of the individual to give back a tithe (tenth) to God, tithing is a private act of worship between the individual believer and God.
Reference Verses for Tithing
Leviticus 27:30-32; Malachi 3:8-10; Hebrews 7:2-9; II Corinthians 9:7; Matthew 6:1-4
Sin
Sin is the transgression of God's perfect law. The penalty for sin is death, but God offers us forgiveness of sin and eternal life as a gift. It is not God's will for us to die, but that all men should come to repentance and be free from sin. A true christian does not continue to live in sin.
Reference Verses for Sin
James 4:17; I John 3:4, 5:17; Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:14; II Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38-39; I Corinthians 15:56; John 3:16-17; I John 3:5-10; II Timothy 2:19; I John 2:4; Romans 6:15
A Christian
A christian is a follower of Christ who has repented of sin, been baptized, and received God's holy spirit. When God's spirit resides in an individual, the fruits of the spirit will be visible in his life.
Reference Verses for A Christian
Acts 2:37-39; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-26
Healing
The scriptures reveal that Christ's physical suffering in His life on earth is effective for our physical healing, just as His sacrificial death was payment for our sins. God may choose to reward the faith of those who call upon Him for healing.
Reference Verses for Healing
I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 9:1-7; Mark 5:34; James 5:14-16; Psalm 103:1-3
The Church
The church is a spiritual organism, symbolically the body of Christ. It is pictured as the bride of Christ. The church is composed of those who have been called by the Father to repentance, been baptized, and received His holy spirit. The purpose of the church is two-fold: to spread the gospel, calling mankind to repentance; also to nourish and encourage those called to be new creatures in Christ, to train them and bring them to maturity.
Reference Verses for The Church
I Corinthians 12:12-18, 27; Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1-10; Acts 2:37-39; I John 2:4-6; Galatians 5:25; Matthew 28:19-20; I Peter 5:1-7; John 21:15-17; II Timothy 3:14, 17; Hebrews 5:12-14, 6:2; II Corinthians 5:20