Beliefs and Values
Mission and Vision
Our Mission: Go. Make disciples. Baptize Teach.
Christ’s Church, His body, has a purpose. It has a mission to accomplish. The purpose Jesus gave His Church is to make disciples.
A Disciple: Someone who is following Jesus as Lord, being changed by Christ, and is committed to the mission of Christ.
Underlying Principles
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10
In essential beliefs, we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters . . . Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand . . . So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God . . . So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs, we show love.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2
Essential Beliefs
About God: God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He exists in three personalities: The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are biblical forms of God Himself.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus was born of a virgin and lived a sinless human life. He then offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after 3 days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
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
About the Holy Spirit: He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He has gifted every believer. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
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 5:18
About the Bible: The Bible is God’s inerrant Word to us. 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 the truth without any measure of error. It is the sole written authority for all believers.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings: People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s Creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God, called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 83:6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
About Salvation: Salvation is God’s prepaid gift to us but we must receive it. we can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by faith in Jesus Christ as God’s offering of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith that believes with the heart, confesses with the mouth, repents with a transformed life, and are baptized into Jesus Christ . . . we have assurance of our salvation.
Romans 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10
About Receiving Christ: The Bible teaches the pattern to receive Christ: believe in Jesus as Lord, repent of personal sin, confess Christ publicly and be baptized through immersion.
Acts 2:38-39, Romans 6:1-7, Acts 2:16.
About the Church: The Church is the body and Bride of Christ on earth; founded on the Day of Pentecost, consisting of Christians everywhere.
Matthew 16:13-18; Acts 2:14-27
About Church Leadership: That God has ordained that elders are to exercise spiritual, servant leadership and authority over the local congregation.
Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4
About the Future & Eternal Security: That Jesus Christ will one day return at which time He will pronounce the eternal fate of each individual, both living and dead . . . the saved to eternal life in Heaven, the unsaved to eternal separation from God in hell.
John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:14
Core Values
1. Biblical Truth
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Inspired Worship
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
3. Real Relationships
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 13:35
4. Selfless Service
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
5. Spirit-Led Living
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26