Doctrine and Theology
SCRIPTURE
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by simple men under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Through the providence of God, the Word of God has been protected and preserved and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2Timothy 3:16-17
GOD
We believe there is only one living and true God. God is all powerful and all-knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the Creator, Sustainer of all things, and is worthy of worship and obedience.
“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, and an everlasting king;” Jeremiah 10:10a
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.” 1John 5:7
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life as a man, performed many miracles, shed His blood on the cross to pay the debt for our sins, was buried and three days later rose from the dead, was seen by over 500 witnesses, ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will return literally, visibly, and personally in glory and power.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, Co-equal and Co-existent with the Father and the Son. He convicts us of sin, lives inside us teaching and guiding us into all truth. He empowers us with spiritual gifts to minister to others and is our Comforter and strength.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8
SALVATION
We believe salvation is a free gift of God's grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ's atoning death, received only through faith in the person and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-10
BAPTISM
We believe that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism, itself, does not save you. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in the newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead.
“Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
THE CHURCH
We believe the church is the body of Christ and the family of God. It is made up of saved and baptized believers, who regularly join together for worship, fellowship, and ministry to each other and to our community.
“I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. Matthew 16:18
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
EVANGELISM
We believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples of one another.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20