WHAT WE BELIEVE

WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED AND INFALLIBLE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe the Bible is God's guide to knowing Him and living for Him.

WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED FOR ALL PEOPLE. "And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15). See also Hebrews 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:18.

WE BELIEVE THAT SALVATION IS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6). "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). See also John 3:36 and 1 John 5:11-12. Any religious belief system that presents an alternative access to salvation is a false system.

WE BELIEVE THAT ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE BAPTIZED AND THAT IMMERSION IS THE BIBLICAL MODE. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). The Greek word translated, "baptize," literally means "to dip or immerse." We believe salvation qualifies a person to be baptized, but baptism itself does not save.

WE BELIEVE THAT SAVED PEOPLE ARE COMMANDED OF GOD TO EMBRACE A LIFESTYLE THAT REFLECTS OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD'S WILL AS REVEALED THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES. Even a casual reading of the Bible clearly reveals that Christians are to live and operate by Godly principles. Look up and read such passages as Romans 12:9-13:10, Galatians 5:16-6:10, Ephesians 4:17-6:9, and Colossians 3:1-4:6. The Holy Spirit who indwells us, if not grieved or resisted, will produce the desire and the determination to embrace these values.

WE BELIEVE THAT A CHRISTIAN CAN BACKSLIDE TO THE POINT OF FORFEITING WHAT WAS GAINED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. There are simply too many warnings in the Bible about falling away to ignore this danger. What was gained by grace through faith can be forfeited through unbelief and rebellion. A portion of our scriptural support for this position comes from Luke 8:11-15, Luke 12:42-46, and John 15:1-6. We do not believe that the commission of a single act of sin or our own lack of perfection in the flesh constitutes apostasy or loss of saved status.

WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS WILL RETURN ONE DAY AND THAT ALL THE SAVED WILL LIVE FOREVER WITH HIM IN HEAVEN. Passages such as John 14:1-5 and 1 Thess. 4:13-18 make this belief scripturally sound. We believe Heaven is a real place where real people will spend a real eternity.

WE BELIEVE THAT ALL THE UNSAVED WILL ONE DAY BE CAST INTO ETERNAL TORMENT. Consider such scriptures as Matthew 13:41-42, Luke 13:22-30, and Revelation 20:11-21:8. Hell is just as real as Heaven, but Hell can be avoided by being saved!