What I Believe

I Believe...


SCRIPTURE: That the entire Bible, consisting of both the Old and New Testaments, is God's true and trustworthy word for all believers of all time; that its original writings are inspired by God and inerrant; that it is to be the individual believer's and the community of believers' final authority and constant guide in doctrine and practice; that it must be interpreted carefully and prayerfully and studied constantly to determine its meaning and applicatoins. II Timothy 3:16;

TRINITY:  That God eternally exists in three persons as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1 (term used for God in Genesis is plural); Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; I Corinthians 12:3-6;

FATHER:  That god is Creator and Father and is the sovereign ruler and loving provider over all creation. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 22:28; 145:9, 13; 147:7-11;

SON, VIRGIN BIRTH:  That God the Son, Jesus Christ, was incarnated into human flesh, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. He was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into prison and on the third day He rose conquering death, hell, and the grave. Luke 1:26-2:7; Philippians 2:5-8; I Peter 2:21-23; I Peter 3:19;

HOLY SPIRIT:  That God the Holy Spirit is the empowering and comforting Gift of theFather and Son; that He has been baptized and indwells every believer as the seal and guarantor of eternal salvation; that He teaches and guides believers. John 14:26; 16:13; Romans 8:9;

CREATION,  IMAGE:  That humans were created by God, as was all else that exists, according to the literal account of creation given in Scripture, and that humans were endowed with the image of God. Genesis 1, 2 (especially 1:26, 27);

FALL, DEPRAVITY, SIN:  That humans have fallen and are now distorted reflections of God; that they are all born with a sinful nature and are distanced from God by their sin; and that their sin deserves death.  Genesis 3; Romans 3:9-12; 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:21;

REDEMPTION, JUSTIFICATION:  That redemption from sin and justification are available through the atoning crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 1:13, 14; I Peter 1:18-19; 2:24;

RESURRECTION:  That Christ physically rose from the dead and ascended into heaven; that He will return to this earth; that He will reign eternally; that His resurrection is the firstfruits that gives His followers resurrection into eternal life and power for Godliness and resistance of sin while on this earth.  Luke 24; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 6; I Corinthians 15:20-28; 42-44; Philippians 2:9-11; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Titus 2:13; I Peter 1:21; Revelations 1:7; 22:20;

ETERNAL JUDGMENT:  That all humans will be bodily resurrected and will experience the final judgment of God; that all those whose sin has not been forgiven through Christ will experience eternal condemnation.  Mark 16:16; John 3:18; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelations 20:11-15; 22:12;

CHURCH, ASSEMBLY, ORDINANCES:  That the Universal Church is of phenomenal value to its builder, Christ Jesus; that the local community of believers should assemble regularly and practice the ordinances of baptism and communion.  Matthew 16:18; 26:26-30; 28:19; Luke 22:17-20; Acts 2:38; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 10:25; I Peter 3:21;

SPIRITUAL GIFTS:  That God gives each of us what we need when we need it to do ministry and bring edification, maturity, and unity to the body of Christ. I Corinthians 12-14 (especially 13:8-12); Ephesians 4:11-16;

HOLINESS, GOOD WORKS:  That personal holiness and good works are very important in the Christian life and that they should be highly valued by the church as outworkings of, not the cause of, individuals' salvation.  Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:13; James 2:14-26;

PRAYER:  That it is an ongoing conversation with God where we acknowledge His Lordship in our lives and our dependency on Him, and where He reveals Himself to us.  Matthew 6:9-13; John 15:7; James 5:14-16.