what we believe
We believe in the gospel: that Jesus Christ died and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4). We preach no other gospel (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 11:3-4).
Christians are monotheistic (Ex. 20:3; Isa. 43:10; 1 Cor. 8:5-6); we believe in and serve one God. The Bible reveals God as triune (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6), three Persons in one Being as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-eternal (Ps. 90:2; John 1:1; Heb. 9:14).
Jesus is the only way to know God and be set right with God (John 14:6). There is "salvation in no one else" but Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
Humans are uniquely made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and therefore have intrinsic value from conception (Ps. 139:13-16) to the day they die.
However, humans have defied God and sinfully served themselves from Adam (Gen. 3:5-6) until now (Rom. 1:18-32) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). We justly deserve wrath (Rom. 2:5-6, 8) and we cannot pay the eternal debt ourselves since we are sinners.
But God is love (1 John 4:9).
God in His mercy sent His Son to die for us (Gal. 2:20) so that we might have the righteousness of God through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:8-9). In this way, God remains just against sin while being the justifier of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:26).
Jesus believed the Scriptures are from God and that He was the fulfillment of what we know as the Old Testament (Matt. 5:17-18; Lk. 24:25-27). Jesus also said that the Apostles would speak on His behalf (John 16:12-15). Because the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God (1 Cor. 2:12-13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21), we can conclude that they are also inerrant and authoritative.
We believe that baptism is essential to salvation as a work of God that seals us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Col. 2:10-14; Titus 3:5).
We therefore believe that we are justified by faith, apart from works of the law (Rom. 3:28) since God's salvation is a free gift (Eph. 2:8-9). We are saved to do good works and to be faithful until death (Eph. 2:10; Rev. 2:10).
Our congregation is autonomous and governed by elders chosen by the members with Christ as the true Shepherd of the church (1 Pet. 5:1-5). Our church also has appointed deacons with their wives (1 Tim. 3:8-13) and supports ministers of the word (1 Cor. 9:4-12; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
During our worship services we sing a cappella and observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-32).
Since Christ died for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16), the invitation to share in His saving grace is open to everyone.