In essential beliefs, we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—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 (ESV)
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…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.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 (NIV)
In all our beliefs, we show charity.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)
Statement of Beliefs
Bible
We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is God’s written method for revealing His thoughts and good character to us.
2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 2:13; Mark 12:26,36; 13:11; Acts 1:16; 2:4
God
We believe God is eternally existing in three persons – God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He created everything and wants to have an intimate relationship with everyone. The point of life is to be connected with God and with others in authentic relationships to restore God’s intended purpose for humanity. Deuteronomy 6:4 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; in His Virgin Birth; in His sinless humanity; in His miracles; in His perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people through the shedding of His blood and death on the cross; in His bodily resurrection; in His ascension to the right hand of the Father; and in His personal return in power and glory.
Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14, 8:40,58, 11:33; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 5:8-10; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:8
Humanity
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin all of mankind has fallen and inherited a sin nature, thus man in his natural state is lost, alienated from God and incapable of attaining salvation by any personal effort or merit.
Genesis 1:26; Romans 3, 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:18-19
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God given to man by grace and received by repentance and faith in Jesus. Grace is God giving us a way to know Him even when we do not deserve it. Faith is trusting that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do. Ephesians 2:8-10 ; John 1:12 ; Ephesians 1:7 ; 1 Peter 1:18-19
Holy Spirit
We believe in the promise of the Holy Spirit, not as an influence, but as a Divine Person, who was sent at Pentecost to unify all believers into one body, the Church, whose indwelling is the source and power of all acceptable worship and service. He is our abiding Comforter and Helper, and is ever present to testify of Christ.
John 7:38-39; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; Phil. 3:3
Church
We believe in the Church which is the body and bride of Christ, that we are a spiritual family united by the Holy Spirit, and thus being members one of another we are responsible in good conscience to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, loving one another with a pure heart. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head over all the church, commanded His people to hold to the practice of water baptism and the regular taking of Communion. We do not believe that either of these practices is essential for salvation, but that they serve as a demonstration of our living faith in Him.
Sexual Formation
We believe that living in the way of Jesus means embracing His vision of faithfulness in life, marriage and sexuality. This practically looks like abstaining from all sexual relationships outside of the historic vision of Christian marriage expressed in whole life covenant union between a man and woman, avoiding pornography, inappropriate relationships that compromise our witness, and pursuing life giving holiness by the grace of God.
LGBTQIA+
We are committed to seek to understand and address the deep heart issues of identity and experience which draw some people into the LGBTQI+ practice; to reach out with love, compassion, and justice of Christ, and to reject and condemn all forms of hatred, verbal or physical abuse and victimization of LGBTQI+ people.
