The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; all being co-equal.

2 Corinthians 13:14 | 1 John 5:7

In His infinite wisdom, God has chosen to reveal Himself in three distinct persons, as Father, Son and Spirit to accomplish His divine will; each person of the Godhead having a separate purpose in man’s creation and redemption.

The Scriptures

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit, and we accept it as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:16 | 1 Thessalonians 2:13 | 2 Peter 1:21

Man, His Fall and Redemption

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” As it is written, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God.

Romans 5:14 | Romans 3:10 | Romans 3:23 | 1 John 3:8

Salvation is a gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God.

Eternal Life and New Birth

Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life.

2 Corinthians 7:10 | 1 John 5:12 | John 3:3-5

Water Baptism

Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

Matthew 28:19 | Romans 6:4 | Colossians 2:12

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

We believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in the Body as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and as manifested in the early church.

Divine Healing

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today.

Mark 16:18 | James 5:25 | 1 Peter 2:24 | Matthew 8:17 | Isaiah 53:4 & 5

The Blessed Hope

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church.

Romans 8:23 | 1 Corinthians 15:51 & 52 | 1 Thessalonians 4:16 | Titus 2:14

Church Discipline

We believe in church discipline administered within the relational group in a spirit of meekness and confidentiality. The purpose of such discipline is the restoration of the one subject to the discipline and/or the purification of the church. The steps of discipline are one-on-one private confrontation, private confrontation with witnesses and finally, exposure to the church for judgment leading to restoration or separation.

Leadership of the Holy Spirit

We believe that in all matters concerning the Body of Christ, in its direction, discipline, ministry and functioning, that specific guidance and instruction, revelation and discernment of truth from falsehood is available by the leading of the Holy Spirit who enables us to know spiritual things by the Spirit.

Laying on of Hands

Laying on of hands is a biblical practice. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, We believe in:

Laying on of Hands for healing
Mark 5:22 & 23 | Mark 4:41 | Mark 5:28-31 | Acts 28:8 | Acts 19:11 & 12
Laying on of Hands to confer office
Acts 6:2-6
Laying on of Hands to receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 8:26-18
Laying on of Hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing
1 Timothy 4:14
Laying on of Hands for appointment to Eldership
1 Timothy 4:14

Mediation

We believe as members of the same body of Christ, baptized by one Spirit into one body that we must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and as such that we are precluded from bringing a lawsuit in a civil court against another person who professes to be a Christian or against a Christian ministry. We believe that all such disputes must be resolved within the Body of Christ without taking them before unbelievers for judgment.

1 Corinthians 6:1-8 | Ephesians 4:3-6

Tithe & Offering

We believe that Scripture requires all members of the congregation to support the programs and needs of the church in proportion, as the Lord shall prosper them through tithes and offerings, thereby acknowledging that any institution can stand or be of full service only in proportion as all of the members of the congregation accept their responsibility of maintaining it.

Malachi 3:10 | 1 Corinthians 16:1 & 2 | 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 | Hebrews 7:1-8

Ordinances

We believe in two primary New Testament ordinances: Baptism by immersion and The Lord’s Supper. We do not, however, believe that the administration of such ordinances is limited to ordained or licensed ministers. We believe in the priesthood of every believer. Ordination and licensing in this church is a separation and recognition of a specific gifting of God. Ordination is on the basis of that recognition of God’s gifting. Men or women called to a specific Office by God and ordained or licensed by this church will have the right to participate in the traditional, sacramental and ordinal functions of the church such as marriage, funerals, baptisms, and the like. They shall also be expected to function in the spiritual giftings of their office and to demonstrate the reality of their calling.

What we believe...