OUR
BELIEFS
THE BIBLE
WE BELIEVE THE WORD IS INSPIRED BY GOD. IT IS GOD-BREATHED, BRINGS GODLY WISDOM, AND REVEALS WHO GOD IS. AS BELIEVERS, WE GROW TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD OF GOD IS A WEAPON, AND BRINGS CORRECTION. IT GIVES US SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY TO FIGHT AGAINST DARKNESS. WHEN OUR FLESH, SIN, EMOTIONS, THOUGHTS ATTEMPT TO LEAD US, THE WORD OF GOD IS A LAMP, IT IS ALIVE AND CONNECTS US BACK TO CHRIST.
ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY GOD AND IS USEFUL TO TEACH US WHAT IS TRUE AND TO MAKE US REALIZE WHAT IS WRONG IN OUR LIVES. IT CORRECTS US WHEN WE ARE WRONG AND TEACHES US TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16
FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE AND ACTIVE. SHARPER THAN ANY DOUBLE-EDGE SWORD, IT PENETRATES EVEN TO DIVIDING SOUL AND SPIRIT, JOINTS AND MARROW; IT JUDGES THE THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES OF THE HEART.
HEBREWS 4:12
THE TRINITY
WE BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY: THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. IN JOHN 14:16 JESUS SHARES "AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER ADVOCATE TO HELP YOU AND BE WITH YOU FOREVER." HERE WE READ, THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE REVEALED TO US AS ONE. WE ARE COMMANDED BY JESUS HIMSELF TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES, AND HERE ARE THE KEY WORDS "BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT." THIS IS THE GREAT COMMISSION GIVEN TO EVERY BELIEVER. THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH DWELLS IN US AND LEADS US IN OUR DAILY LIVES. THE BIBLE SHARES ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE ABILITY TO SPEAK IN OUR HEAVENLY LANGUAGE TO BUILD AND EDIFY OURSELVES AND COMMUNICATE WITH GOD.
THEREFORE, GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
MATTHEW 28:19
AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER HELPER (COMFORTER, ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR, COUNSELOR, STRENGTHENER, STANDBY), TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER.
JOHN 14:16
BUT YOU, BELOVED, BUILDING YOURSELVES UP ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
JUDE 1:20
WATER BAPTISM
WATER BAPTISM IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR EVERY BELIEVER. IT IS THE WASHING AWAY OF OUR SINS, DYING TO OUR OLD NATURE, AND STEPPING INTO OUR NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST. WHEN WE ARE BAPTIZED, WE ARE PUBLICLY STEPPING OUT IN OUR FAITH AND MAKING A DECLARATION THAT THE OLD LIFE IS GONE. WE BELIEVE THROUGH WATER BAPTISM WE ARE MADE NEW IN CHRIST.
PETER REPLIED, "EACH OF YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND TURN TO GOD, AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. THEN YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
ACTS 2:38
THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME!
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
MATTHEW 28:19
THE CHURCH
WE BELIEVE CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH. IN ACTS 2, WE READ THE PEOPLE FELLOWSHIPPED, BROKE BREAD AND PRAYED TOGETHER. AS THEY GATHERED THEY PRAISED GOD AND ENCOUNTERED MANY SIGNS AND WONDERS. WE ARE A CHURCH THAT BELIEVES WORSHIP IS A VITAL PART OF OUR CULTURE. ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE EXAMPLES SHARED IS WHEN THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TOOK PLACE AS GOD'S PEOPLE WERE GATHERED. THIS IS WHY WE BELIEVE WHEN THE CHURCH GATHERS TO SEEK AND PRAISE GOD, HE REVEALS HIMSELF. ONE OF OUR PRAYERS AND DESIRES FOR THE CHURCH IS TO ALWAYS WELCOME THE HOLY SPIRIT TO MOVE HOWEVER HE WANTS TO.
AND LET US CONSIDER HOW TO STIR UP ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER, AS THE HABIT OF SOME, BUT ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, AND ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY DRAWING NEAR.
HEBREWS 10:24-25
I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID TO ME, "LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD."
PSALMS 122:1
AND I TELL YOU, YOU ARE PETER, AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.
MATTHEW 16:18
GIVING
THE WORD OF GOD SAYS IT IS BETTER TO BE A BLESSING THAN IT IS TO RECEIVE. WHEN WE GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL HEART. WE BELIEVE AS THE BIBLE SAYS "TEST THE LORD IN THIS," ASK THE LORD WHAT HE WOULD LIKE YOU TO GIVE. IF WE HONOR GOD WITH OUR WEALTH AND FIRST FRUITS, HE BLESSES THE REST.
BRING ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE SO THERE WILL BE ENOUGH FOOD IN MY TEMPLE. IF YOU DO, "SAYS THE LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES, " I WILL OPEN THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN FOR YOU. I WILL POUR OUT A BLESSING SO GREAT YOU WON'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO TAKE IT IN! TRY IT! PUT ME TO THE TEST!
MALACHI 3:10
EACH OF YOU SHOULD GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE DECIDED IN YOUR HEART TO GIVE, NOT RELUCTANTLY OR UNDER COMPULSION, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:7
HONOR THE LORD WITH ALL WEALTH, AND WITH THE BEST PART OF EVERYTHING YOU PRODUCE.
THEN HE WILL FILL YOUR BARNS WITH GRAIN, AND YOUR VATS WILL OVERFLOW WITH GOOD WINE.
PROVERBS 3:9-10
COMMUNION
WE ENCOURAGE EVERY BELIEVER TO TAKE PART OF COMMUNION CORPORATELY AND AT HOME. AS A CHURCH WE PARTAKE IN COMMUNION TOGETHER ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH. WE DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE SACRIFICE JESUS DID ON THE CROSS. WHEN WE PARTAKE IN COMMUNION THE BREAD AND CUP REMIND US OF HIS BODY BROKEN AND HIS BLOOD POURED OUT ON THE CROSS.
AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS, HE BROKE IT AND SAID, "TAKE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS BROKEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." IN THE SAME MANNER HE ALSO TOOK THR CUP AFTER SUPPER, SAYING." THIS IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD. THIS DO, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." FOR AS OFTEN AS YOU EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD'S DEATH TILL HE COMES.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:24-26
SANCTIFICATION
SANCTIFICATION IS THE PROCESS IN WHICH GOD MAKES US HOLY, SET APART, AND CONSECRATED. WE WELCOME GOD'S SANCTIFICATION IN OUR LIVES AT SALVATION, BUT IT IS A LIFELONG PROCESS. BY HIS BLOOD WE BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN WASHED AND SANCTIFIED. THE PROCESS OF HOLINESS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH OBEDIENCE, SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE, AND RELIANCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT.
MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH EVERYONE AND TO BE HOLY; WITHOUT HOLINESS NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD.
HEBREWS 12:14
SO YOU MUST LIVE AS GOD'S OBEDIENT CHILDREN. DON'T SLIP BACK INTO YOUR WAYS OF LIVING TO SATISFY YOUR OWN DESIRES. YOU DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER THEN, BUT NOW YOU MUST BE HOLY IN EVERYTHING YOU DO, JUST AS GOD WHO CHOSE YOU IS HOLY. FOR THE SCRIPTURES SAY, "YOU MUST BE HOLY BECAUSE I AM HOLY."
1 PETER 1:14-16
AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU. BUT YOU WERE WASHED, BUT YOU WERE SANCTIFIED, BUT YOU WERE JUSTIFIED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS AND BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR GOD.
1 CORINTHIANS 6:11
BIBLICAL MARRIAGE
WE BELIEVE MARRIAGE IS A HOLY COVENANT MADE BEFORE GOD BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN. IT IS A LIFELONG COMMITMENT WHERE A MAN AND A WOMAN ARE JOINED TOGETHER AND ARE MADE ONE. WHEN GOD CREATED BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, HE BLESSED THEIR UNION SAYING "BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY."
THEREFORE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THEY SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.
GENESIS 2:24
THEREFORE WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NOT MAN SEPARATE.
MARK 10:9
RETURN OF THE LORD
WE BELIEVE IN THE RETURN OF THE LORD. THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE, VISIBLE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST TO EARTH, AS PROMISED IN SCRIPTURE. GOD WILL THEN JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM, AND BRING ABOUT THE FINAL FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN.
FOR THE LORD HIMSELF WILL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN WITH A COMMANDING SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMPET CALL OF GOD. FIRST, THE BELIEVERS WHO HAVE DIED WILL RISE FROM THEIR GRAVES. THEN, TOGETHER WITH THEM, WE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE AND REMAIN ON THE EARTH WILL BE CAUGHT UP IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. THEN WE WILL BE WITH THE LORD FOREVER.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17
NOW WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THESE THINGS, WHILE THEY WATCHED, HE WAS TAKEN UP, AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT. AND WHILE THEY LOOKED STEADFASTLY TOWARD HEAVEN AS HE WENT UP, BEHOLD, TWO MEN STOOD BY THEM IN WHITE APPAREL, WHO ALSO SAID, "MEN GALILEE, WHY DO YOU STAND GAZING UP TO HEAVEN? THIS SAME JESUS, WHO WAS TAKEN UP FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN, WILL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YOU SAW HIM GO INTO HEAVEN.
ACTS 1:9-11
PRAYER & FASTING
WE ARE A CHURCH THAT STRONGLY BELIEVES IN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND FASTING. WE BELIEVE IN PRAYER FOUNDED ON SCRIPTURE, AND FASTING FOR GOD TO INCREASE. THE BIBLE SAYS IN MATTHEW 17:21 "HOWEVER, THIS KIND DOES NOT GO OUT EXCEPT BY PRAYER AND FASTING." THEREFORE, AS BELIEVERS IT IS IMPORTANT WE COMMIT TO A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER AND FASTING. FASTING IS NEVER ABOUT GETTING FROM GOD, BUT GETTING TO GOD.
BUT WHEN YOU PRAY, GO AWAY, BY YOURSELF, SHUT THE DOOR BEHIND YOU, AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER IN PRIVATE. THEN YOUR FATHER WHO SEES EVERYTHING, WILL REWARD YOU.
MATTHEW 6:6
AND WHEN YOU FAST, DON'T MAKE IT OBVIOUS, AS THE HYPOCRITES DO, FOR THEY TRY TO LOOK MISERABLE AND DISHEVELED SO PEOPLE WILL ADMIRE THEM FOR THEIR FASTING. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THAT IS THE ONLY REWARD THEY WILL EVER GET. BUT WHEN YOU FAST COMB YOUR HAIR AND WASH YOUR FACE. THEN NO ONE WILL NOTICE THAT YOU ARE FASTING, EXCEPT YOUR FATHER, WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU DO IN PRIVATE. AND YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES EVERYTHING WILL REWARD YOU.
MATTHEW 6:16-18
SALVATION
SALVATION IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STEP IN A BELIEVER'S LIFE. WE BELIEVE WHEN WE CONFESS AND BELIEVE JESUS IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE AND FORGIVEN FROM ALL OUR SINS. WE BELIEVE THROUGH SALVATION OUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE, GRANTING US ACCESS TO ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN. THIS IS WHY WE SEEK HIM DAILY, AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE, RECEIVING ETERNAL SALVATION.
JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.
JOHN 14:6
IF YOU OPENLY DECLARE JESUS IS LORD AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED.
ROMANS 10:9
THERE IS SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE! GOD HAS GIVEN NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.
ACTS 4:12
MIRACLES & HEALINGS
ONE OF THE WAYS GOD REVEALS HIMSELF IS THROUGH SIGNS AND WONDERS. WE MUST USE OUR FAITH TO BELIEVE FOR MIRACLES AND HEALINGS TO HAPPEN AMONG US AS WE SEEK GOD. WHEN JESUS WALKED ON THE EARTH IT WAS NORMAL FOR HEALING AND MIRACLES TO HAPPEN. THIS IS WHY WE MUST BELIEVE AND DECLARE SIGNS AND WONDERS TO JOIN US IN OUR GATHERINGS AND IN OUR DAILY LIVES. IF THE WORD OF GOD SAYS WE WILL DO GREATER THINGS THAN HE, WE SHOULD ALIGN OUR FAITH AND PETITION HEAVEN FOR SIGNS AND WONDERS. EVEN WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES DON'T TURN OUT THE WAY WE EXPECT, WE TRUST THE WILL OF GOD.
SURELY HE TOOK UP OUR PAIN AND BORE OUR SUFFERING, YET WE CONSIDERED HIM PUNISHED BY GOD, STRICKEN BY HIM, AND AFFLICTED. BUT HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE WAS ON HIM, AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.
ISAIAH 53:4-5
I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL DO THE SAME WORKS I HAVE DONE, AND EVEN GREATER WORKS, BECAUSE I AM GOING TO BE WITH THE FATHER.
JOHN 14:12