What We Believe
Though we cannot produce an exhaustive list of what we believe, we do want to provide you with some understanding of our beliefs. We think this will allow you to make a well-informed decision and will give you a picture of what you might expect us to talk about when we gather together. Though you may disagree with us, that does not mean you are not welcomed to join us in a continual journey of spiritual growth as we seek to understand and follow Jesus at all levels of our life.
How can a church maintain unity amidst the diversity of opinion, conviction and conscience? How do we hold to our deep-seated convictions, be true and faithful to God's Word, and give room for gracious disagreement? Well, imagine me with two hands stretching out before you. One hand is clenched and the other hand is open. This is a helpful way to describe a crucial aspect of what it means to be an individual believer within a community of faith. There are some core beliefs that one must absolutely believe to be true in order to be a Christian (closed hand) and there are also issues where Scripture doesn't give a definitive answer (open hand). We must hold firmly to the closed hand and we must give room for disagreement with the open hand. It is a balancing act of sorts, which is dependent upon grace, understanding and a mutual submission to Scripture and not to one's own emotions.
When we discuss the Closed Hand we say there are some core beliefs within Scripture whereby we ascertain what kind of life God desires for us. Though, we may not understand every facet of a doctrine, we must accept it as true and yet as a mystery. There are some things that are difficult to understand in Scripture, but it is a mistake to think that most of Scripture is difficult to understand and therefore no conclusions should be drawn. A crucial aspect of the character of God is his desire to reveal himself to us and to be known and prized by us. So we can be confident that as we pray and ask God to show us himself in Scripture that he will do so. Though some may add more to the closed hand than we do, we have come to what we feel are the closed hand issues for us.
The open hand represents those topics where two earnest Christians may study and subsequently come to differing conclusions. At this point it is not an issue of whether or not the Christian is orthodox, but is rather an issue of conscience derived from diligent study and prayer. For instance, the issue of whether or not a Christian should drink alcoholic beverages: one may say that a Christian should not drink alcohol under any circumstances because it might lead to negligent behavior or compromise their witness. The other might hold that a Christian should feel at liberty to drink alcohol with discretion. Whereas the Scripture explicitly teaches against drunkenness, which is a sin, a Christian is never commanded to abstain in every circumstance. To divide over such a secondary issue, to us, is foolish and we would seek to persuade each Christian to debate, discuss, and disagree but never to divide over such an issue.
Please understand that this is not a ranked list that relegates the "lesser doctrines" to the open hand. A person's joy and satisfaction in Christ can be heightened in studying about Christ's return. Though that believer might not know how or when Christ will return they might find great confidence in knowing that Christ will be the victor of this world and that evil will be vanquished. Similarly, one might not know exhaustive truth about the issues of predestination or election, but one can come to precise conclusions about the proactive grace of God and the beauty of a radically changed heart.
So, we would encourage and exhort you to take some time to study these topics. There is nothing more beautiful than opening the Bible and allowing God to show Himself as you read and meditate. In 2 Timothy 3:15-16 we are told that the holy Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and that the Scripture is inspired by God. Our prayer and desire is that as you read through the following pages that you would sense the majesty, holiness and love of God and his desire to be known by you.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that a crucial characteristic of God is that he loves to reveal himself. He is the least secretive being in the universe and does not seek to hide himself or to leave us in our confusion. He seeks for us and longs for us to know, enjoy and prize him more than anything or anyone else on earth. He has revealed himself in nature and in the human personality. Though this gives us a general idea of God, he has revealed himself in even more specific ways: through Jesus Christ (discussed below) and through the Holy Scriptures. We believe that God has chosen to reveal himself in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and that they are inspired by him. We also believe the Scriptures are the final word of authority in what we believe and how we should live. It is inerrant in the original writings, infallible and truly God-breathed. Since it is a primary way through which God has chosen to reveal himself, the Scriptures should be treasured and studied in a spirit of teachableness.
Here are some passages that we have found helpful in understanding the dynamic nature of the Scriptures: Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119; Isaiah 40:6-8; Matthew 5:17-19; Luke 21:33; 24:17-29, 44-49; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16-41; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16: 25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:12-13; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
The Trinity
Trinity can be understood as "tri-unity" which shows us the three-in-one nature of God. Often times when people talk of God being loving, patient, kind, gracious and forgiving, they only have in mind one person of the Trinity. This thought is corrected when we see that God has eternally existed in three persons in perfect harmony, community and character. Each members of the Trinity are fully God, coequal in power, glory and perfection. All of this is true and yet God is One! Such a mystery!
Though the word trinity is not used in Scripture the idea it represents is used. Sometimes one member of the Trinity is mentioned and sometimes they are mentioned in close succession. Please see the following passages to grow in your understanding of the Trinity: Genesis 1:26; Exodus 3:2-6; 23:20-22; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 48:16; 63:10; Hosea 1:7; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
The Person and Work of Jesus
We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and the eternal Son of God and member of the Trinity, who became man without surrendering his perfection or deity. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of a virgin, Mary, in order that he might reveal God and redeem the sinful (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe Jesus Christ accomplished what neither we nor anyone else could do for humankind-redemption through his death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice (John 14:6-7; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). The Scriptures teach that our justification is made sure by his literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24) and without it our faith is a sham (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). We believe Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor and Advocate who will come again to judge the living and the dead (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired men to write the Scriptures and through the Spirit we are able to understand truth. We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ and indwelling and sustaining them unto the day of redemption (Psalm 51; Psalm 139; John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).
The Nature and Need of Humanity
We believe the Scripture teaches that men and women stand out above all other creatures and crown God's good work of creation. This is because we were created in the likeness and image of God, given certain traits that God himself has. The sacredness of the human soul is evident in this imago dei truth and therefore every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and love.
However, instead of glowing with God's presence we have all displaced God through our rebellion, like our first parents, Adam and Eve. We have insisted on having this life and the next on our terms. Though created in the image and likeness of God and intended to showcase God's glory as we live out fully our creative, spiritual, intelligent, relational and moral capacities, we are now fallen humans, tarnished images. We are thoroughly corrupt and utterly unable to remedy our lost and longing condition without the gracious supernatural intervention of Jesus Christ. Ours is a sad story of intended glory and communion with our Creator that has been corrupted by our many wrongdoings. Though the story was interrupted by sin, God has not left us alone; he has provided a way back.
Read these passages to understand the nature and need of all of us: Genesis 1:26-30; Genesis 2; Psalm 1; 8; 32:1-5; 51; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-23; 3:9-11.
The Provision and Assurance of Salvation
We believe God has provided a way for us to get back to him: through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, which allowed for the forgiveness of our sins. This salvation is the gift of God and is not merited by our good behavior or good intentions. It is received by an individual's faith in the gracious and vicarious work of Jesus Christ on the cross as they recognize their need of forgiveness for their wrongdoings. Once a person believes, the Scripture teaches that they have a change of heart and are a new creation where their past is forgiven and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell with them to lead them to further devotion to Jesus. (Genesis 3:14-15; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 2:25-32; John 1:10-14; 3:3-21; 5:24; 10:7-10; 28-30; Acts 2:14-43; 4:12; 25:11; 16:29-34; 17:24-33; Romans 1:18-20; 3:23-26;Ephesians 2; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; ). We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:5). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for fulfilling wrong desires (Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)
The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign and benevolent in the bestowing of spiritual gifts, which show God's wisdom. It is the believer's responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gifts. The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gifts are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7-8). We believe that God does hear and answers the prayer of faith for the sick and afflicted in accordance to his own will (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15). We also believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gifts and grace God has given to them (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
The Church
We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all redeemed persons (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:5-11). We also believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4.) We believe and recognize believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural means of testimony of the church (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
