OUR BELIEFS

It’s normal to have questions when it comes to a church’s beliefs and perspectives. In fact, we think it’s a great thing. Our beliefs on everything from God to salvation are central to who we are as a church. Below is a brief overview of our beliefs. For a more thorough description, please refer to “The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp).”

We Believe in God

Not just any god, but the God of the Universe who created this universe and everything in it. The same God who loves us so much that He eternally defeated death, not only ransoming us from our sins, but also giving us a better life than we ever dreamed (John 10:10). God is loving, fair, perfect, all-powerful, all-knowing, and is eternally present in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 43:10-13; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

We Believe in Jesus

Jesus is God the Son. He chose to leave His place in Heaven, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus was fully God and fully human and lived a sinless life, revealing the nature and character of God the Father. He voluntarily died on the Cross in our place as the full payment for our sins providing forgiveness with God for all who trust Him. Jesus was buried and then resurrected from the dead by the power of God proving He is who He declared to be by word and action. Jesus has ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father as an advocate for all believers. When God has fulfilled His purpose with this earth, Jesus will return and reign as Lord of all.

Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18ff, 3:16-17, 11:25-27, 16:16; John 1:11ff, 10:30, 14:6ff, 19:1ff, 20:1ff; Acts 1:1-11, 4:12; Romans 3:22-26; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:20; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:18-20; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 5:9-14, 20:11-15

We Believe in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God the Spirit. He is the comforter, counselor, and helper sent for all believers. He makes people aware of their need for God through a relationship with Jesus and draws people into this relationship. The Holy Spirit, who lives within us at the moment of salvation, provides guidance for righteous living and understanding of spiritual truth. He also equips every believer for service within the Church.

Genesis 1:2; Psalm 51:11, 137; Isaiah 61; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18, 3:16, 28:19; Luke 1:35, 4:1; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 4:31, 16:16-40; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 2:13-16; Revelations 22:17

We Believe in the Bible

We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by God to write the very words of Scripture. Therefore, we believe the Bible is without error and is the source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. The Bible’s truth is timeless and speaks to our everyday lives.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Isaiah 34:16; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 24:35; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21

We Believe in Salvation

We believe every person is disobedient to God’s desires and plans in varying degrees. Any disobedience to God, regardless of how large or small, is sin. Sin eternally separates an individual from God, which is spiritual death; however, this is not God’s desire. The Holy Spirit makes people aware of their separation from God and His offer to be united with Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus alone can rescue a person from their separation from God because He alone died for them. Anyone who accepts that Jesus is God the Son, trusts in Jesus’ death for their personal sins, believes in His resurrection, and desires to have Him as King of their life, is forgiven for every sin. Upon this personal decision, God establishes a personal relationship with that person and promises them eternal life in His presence. And we believe salvation is not just for eternal life in Heaven, but for this life as well, providing freedom and joy every day. Therefore, every Christian should live for Christ and not for him or herself. By reading and applying Scripture, and yielding daily to the Holy Spirit, every believer should mature and be conformed to the image of Jesus.

Deuteronomy 6:5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 1:21, 27:22-28, 6; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 1:68-69, 2:28-32; John 1:12-13, 3:3-21, 36; 14:6-7; Acts 2:21, 4:12, 15:11, 16:30-31; 17:2;Romans 3:23-25, 5:1, 6:23, 8, 10:9-10, 12:2, and 13; 1 Corinthians 8 and 9, 10:23-11:1; Galatians 2:20, 3:26; Titus 3:5

We Believe in the Church

We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The Church is composed of believers who are free before God to respond to His revelation as led by the Holy Spirit and are responsible for their relationship with Him. The main purpose of the church is to make disciples. The local church organizes in order to reach unbelievers with the message of salvation, serve as a corporate body for worship of God, provide fellowship for Christians, and develop the gifts and talents of Christians for godly service. All of this is achieved by loving God and loving others more than we love ourselves. This means that through our fellowship with God, we pursue humility, seek God’s glory, and meet the needs of others showing the world around us we belong to Him.

Matthew 16:18-19, 22:34–40, 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 13:34–35; Acts 2:32-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 12:12-13; Ephesians4:10–16, 5:22-24; Philippians 1:27–2:5; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 4:14–16, 10:24-25, 13:17