What We Believe

Does it really matter what a church’s leadership believes and teaches? Absolutely. Jesus came up with the idea of a “church” and has a unique purpose and mission for us to fulfill. It’s extremely important that we, as a church, believe, teach, and live out the truth that Jesus taught and endorsed.

 We wanted to be able to convey what we believe in two ways.

  1. First, we offer a “short version” that captures not only what we believe, but why it’s important to us.

  2. And second, we offer a “detailed version” that is purposely more technical and more detailed because, when it comes to doctrine, precision and clarity matter deeply.

So, read the short version, and study the second…


The Short Version

God is real. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and totally in charge of the direction history is moving.

He created everything and everyone and every person matters deeply to Him. Everyone has sinned, so everyone needs Jesus, who died for our sins, rose again from the dead, and is coming back.

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

Heaven and hell are real, as are angels and demons.

The Holy Spirit lives in every believer and empowers and gifts us to live and serve. 

The Bible, which is God’s Word, is both true and powerful. Baptism is when believers are immersed in water, not for salvation but to tell the world we follow Jesus.

Jesus started the church before His death, protects it through every age, and commissioned the church to tell the world about Him. And no matter what, there is always hope!

Summary

Doctrine is to help us “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” [2 Peter 3:18]. 

All Scripture is inspired by God, and is authoritative and applicable within the context of the New Covenant ushered in through Jesus’ work on the cross and in the Resurrection. 

Our entire Christian life and faith rests solely upon that finished work—and not upon our efforts or performance.


The Detailed Version

About God

There is one God, the creator and ruler of the universe. God, the Father, eternally existent, has revealed Himself in His Son Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. 

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Humanity

People are image-bearers of a beautiful, glorious God, to be like Him in character, and are the supreme object of His creation. Although people have tremendous potential for good, they are marred by a nature of disobedience toward God called sin. This nature separates humankind from God. 

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. Jesus—God assuming the nature of humanity—lived a sinless, human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to Heaven’s glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and will return bodily.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Ephesians 1

About Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to mankind, and is received through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

People can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works – but only by trusting in Jesus Christ, His finished work on the cross, and God’s free offer of forgiveness can they be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment a person turns toward God by fully trusting Jesus for salvation.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, provides power for living and understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. We seek to live under His daily control. 

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

About The Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth, in its original manuscripts, without any mixture or error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Baptism

Baptism (meaning “immersion”) is an act of faith in response to becoming Christians. In baptism, our immersion in water illustrates our total immersion into Christ and all He has done for us. Just as Christ rose from the grave in His resurrection, baptism symbolizes and declares we "died”, were "buried", and then participate in His resurrection as we come out of the water!

The disciples demonstrated their apostolic understanding by baptizing converts in the name of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:11,12; Acts 2:38, Acts 8:35-39; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5; I Cor. 10:1, 2; Col. 3:17; Colossians 2:9,10

About the Church

The Church is composed of everyone that truly belongs to Jesus! It is made visible by local congregations of believers who live in a committed relationship with each other for the purpose of worshipping God, growing in relationship with God and with each other. Experiencing and extending practical love, and reaching those far from God is the mandate of the church.

When the local church is healthy—it is the hope of the world!

Colossians 1:8; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:12

About Eternity

Man was created to live forever! He will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin, or in union with God in Heaven, through forgiveness and trust in Jesus for salvation.

John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46