Statement of Faith
B. Jesus Christ is true God and true man.5 He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.6 He died upon the cross, the Righteous for the unrighteous, as a substitutionary sacrifice,7 and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.8 He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures.9 He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high10 as our great High Priest.11 He will come again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace.12
C. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach, and empower the believer for godly living and service, to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.13
D. The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, whose words were inspired by God, are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of all people. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice.14
E. People were originally created in the image and likeness of God; they fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death.15 Subsequently all people are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through faith in the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. 16 The destiny of the unrepentant and unbelieving is everlasting separation from God in conscious torment (Hell); but that of the believer is everlasting joy and blessing in the presence of the Lord (Heaven). 17
G. It is the will of God that each believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be sanctified thoroughly, thereby being separated from the power of sin and conformity to the world, and being fully dedicated to the will of God, receiving power for holy living and sacrificial and effective service toward the completion of Christ’s commission.20 This is both a distinct encounter and a progressive experience in the life of the believer subsequent to conversion.21
The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, which includes being built up through the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, the observance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the witness of the Gospel locally and globally. 25
29 Matthew 24:29-31; Acts 1:7-11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Peter 3:8-9; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 22:7,12; 30 Matthew 28:18-20; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:10-13