Statement of Beliefs

A. God is personal, omnipotent, omniscient, and infinitely loving. He eternally exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and is the creator and sovereign ruler over all things. 

B. Jesus Christ is God the Son who fulfills the will of the Father in all things. He became a man, lived a sinless life, was crucified, was raised from the dead on the third day never to die again, showed Himself physically to numerous individuals following His resurrection, commissioned them to be witnesses to this fact, and was taken bodily into heaven to be our High Priest, a human anchor before the throne of the Father. He has been made Master of all things and will ultimately be honored as Lord by all of creation.

C. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be our Helper and Comforter, dwelling within those who are born again spiritually, as a deposit guaranteeing our eternal relationship with Christ. The Christian life is marked by being "led by the Spirit." The Holy Spirit guides and empowers Christ's disciples individually and corporately in carrying out His purposes.

D. Mankind is God's prized creation but, as a result of Adam's initial sin, we are all separated from God--fallen, unable to live sin-free lives, and desperately in need of a redeemer. God sent His Son Jesus to redeem us with the purchase price of His own sinless blood, becoming sin for us, and bearing our penalty. He paid the "bride-price" for us, enduring the cross "for the joy that was set before Him" (His eternal marriage). The only thing necessary for us to enjoy this intimacy with Him beginning now, during the betrothal period, is to believe in our hearts that Jesus, having died, is once again physically alive, and to acknowledge openly that He is our personal Master.

E. Scripture is inspired by God and is His provision for an infallible authoritative standard for measuring ALL our actions and beliefs. While we are to be "led by the Spirit," God provides the Bible so we can be "instructed by the scriptures." We are not "under the law" (scriptures), but God’s written word is beneficial in shaping our understanding, perspectives, and assumptions.

F. The Family was instituted by God as the primary social institution. God has sovereignly delegated certain responsibilities, including the training of children, to the family. He has revealed His intention that husbands accept the responsibility to be the head over their wives, and that parents be in authority over their children.

G. The Church is Jesus’ betrothed bride, His eternal purpose, made up of all His redeemed people from throughout the ages. The current betrothal period will be culminated in the wedding feast of the Lamb. Jesus inhabits His gathered people on earth as part of His temple made up of living stones being fitted together in preparation for being the New Jerusalem--the eternal habitation of our King. As His saints on earth gather together under His direct headship, we learn to respond to Him and to fit with one another in this building (city, or bride) that will one day be completed.