WHAT WE BELIEVE

+ THE GODHEAD

We believe in one true God who is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is totally loving and completely holy. God has revealed Himself to be eternally self-existent. While God is one, He has revealed Himself in three, coequal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Gen. 1:2, 27; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; John 17:11; 1 John 5:7; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 9:14

+ GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God the Father; an infinite personal Spirit - perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He is involved in the lives of people, not wishing that any should perish but that all should repent. We further believe that He hears and answers prayers, and that all who come to Him through His Son will be saved from sin and death. God has revealed Himself as a Father who loves and rules over His creation, and has revealed His character through the person and life of Jesus.

Ps. 18:30; Ps. 66:19; Ps. 77:13; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; John 4:23-24; Rom. 3:22-24; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:15-17

+ GOD THE SON

We believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary. We believe that Jesus is the Messiah who was prophesied in the Old Testament; fully God and fully man. In His meekness, Jesus was the only one to ever live a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying a sinner’s death on the cross. He rose from the dead after three days, demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will someday return to earth to reign as King.

Isa. 7:14; Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:18, 20, 23; Luke 1:27-35; John 1:1, 14; John 20:28; Rom. 3:23; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:5-6; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:15

+ GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that Holy Spirit is present in the world and actively partnering with sons and daughters of God to make men aware of their need for Jesus. Holy Spirit lives in every believer from the moment of salvation and daily guides us through His leadership. He empowers believers to understand spiritual truth, convicts them of righteousness, and produces fruit that reflects the character of God.

Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; John 16:7-11; John 14:16-17; Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6; Rom. 8:9-11, 26-27; Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12:4-14; Titus 3:5-7

+ THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is a God-given gift to man and was written by human authors under the guidance of Holy Spirit in all of its literary forms. Inspired by God and inerrant, the Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about doctrine and godly living. The Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that followers of Jesus may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Prov. 30:5; Rom. 16:25-26; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:21; 2 Pet. 1:20-21

+ THE CHURCH

We believe that the institutional Church is to submit to Jesus, who is the Head of the Body. We believe in the invaluable practice of consistently gathering with one another to spur each other on to love and good works. We believe that the primary role of Church leadership is to empower the saints for the work of everyday ministry and that it is the member’s honor to share the gospel of Jesus with the world.

Acts 1:8; Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:19-22; Eph. 5:19-21; Heb. 10:23-25

+ THE HUMAN CONDITION

We believe that each person is a spirit who has a soul that lives in a body. Man was created in the image of God. God gave Adam, Eve, and humanity free will. Adam and Eve used their freedom to disobey God. That first sin had several repercussions: God removed them from the Garden of Eden as an act of mercy, curses were pronounced, the process of physical death began, and man died spiritually - losing the image and nature of God. All humans are born with a sin nature. Sin pays out death, destroys God’s original design for humanity, and creates disconnection in relationship. Good works and self-improvement can never restore what sin has stained. Every person is in need of a savior: Jesus Christ.

Gen. 2:17; Gen. 2:26; Gen. 3:6, 14-19, 23; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12-19; 1 Thess. 5

+ SALVATION

We believe that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of good works or of any human effort. We believe that Jesus shed His innocent blood, dying on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only grounds for salvation, reconciliation to God, and new birth by the Holy Spirit. Only by believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth are the lost born-again. At salvation, the believer’s sin nature dies and they are given a new nature that is free from sin. They are cleansed from all unrighteousness and their spirit is justified (just as if they have never sinned before God).

Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:1-7; John 1:29; John 14:17, 23; John 15:4; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31; Rom. 3:10-12, 23, 25; Rom. 5:12-21; Rom. 8:11; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 2:16; Gal. 3:8; Eph. 1:17; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:14, 20; Col. 5:9; Titus 3:5; Heb. 9:22; Heb. 9-13; 1 Pet. 1:19; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; Rev. 3:20; Rev. 5:9

+ INTIMACY WITH GOD

We believe that eternal life is to intimately know God. As followers of Christ, we count all things as loss for the sake of experientially knowing Him. God chose to dwell with man on the earth in the beginning, and the future consummation of all things will feature God dwelling with His people again. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God forever.

Gen. 3:8; Ps. 27:4; John 17:3; Phil. 3:8-10; Rev. 21:3

+ ETERNITY AND JESUS’ RETURN

We believe that Jesus will physically return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. Those who have accepted Jesus and His righteousness will inherit the Kingdom of God and will be rewarded according to their good works at the judgment seat of Christ. Those who have rejected Jesus will be judged according to their works at the great white throne judgment and be sentenced to hell. Heaven is not the soul’s escape to an ethereal “heavenly destiny,” but rather the restoration of all things, both physical and spiritual. With the Holy Spirit, we anticipate the return of Jesus by inviting every tribe, nation, and tongue to repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus.

Dan. 12:2; Matt. 10:33; Matt. 24:30, 36; Matt. 25:31-46; Matt. 26:63-64; Mark 9:43-48; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 2:1-9; 1 Thess. 4:15, 17; 2 Thess. 1:7-8; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15; Rev. 21:8

+ SOVEREIGNTY

We believe that the God of the Bible is the all-powerful Creator who is unequivocally sovereign (answering to no one). God remains faithful and does not lie or break His word. In this epoch of the Church, we believe God has limited His sovereign activities on the earth in accordance with the free will of man, the Holy Spirit’s partnership with the Church, and His Word. A fallen world, the activity of evil spirits, and the natural consequences of sin are responsible for death, loss, and destruction in the lives of the righteous and unrighteous. God takes even the most destructive of circumstances and works them together for the good of those who love Him.

Gen. 2-3; Num. 23:19; Ps. 115:3; Matt. 8:23-27; John 10:10; Acts 1-2; Rom. 8:20-21; Rom. 8:28; Gal. 5:13; Gal. 6:7; Eph. 6

+ IDENTITY

We believe that every believer is a new creation, a citizen of heaven, and a child of God. We are no longer regarded according to the flesh but according to our spirit. We are set free from sin, no longer enslaved by it, and empowered for the first time to love God and love others.

Rom. 4:4-5; Rom. 8:29; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 3:18, 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:3, 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 12:11; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Rev. 3:5

+ HEALTHY SOULS + HEALTHY HOMES

We believe that it is the Father’s will for believers to become whole and healthy; spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and sexually. Sanctification is the ongoing process of our souls submitting to Holy Spirit. Our souls are in need of consistent care through forgiving others, repentance of sin, and the renewal of our minds to truth. Emotional wellness is best achieved through applying the finished work of the gospel to our past, pain, and identity. Every believer faces the temptation to believe the relentless lies of the enemy - big or small. We believe that healthy souls lead to healthy homes, and that healthy homes are the answer to many of society’s deficiencies.

Deut. 28:1-14; Josh. 1:8; Ps. 34:10, Ps. 84:11; Isa. 26:3; Isa. 53:4-5; Mal. 3:10-11; Matt. 8:17; Luke 6:38; John 17:17; Rom. 8:11; Rom. 10:9-10; Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor 5:17-21; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; Eph. 2:1-7; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 4:19; Col. 3:5-7; 1 Thess. 4:3-7; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:15; 1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Pet. 3:18

+ COMMUNION

We believe in the practice of communion, representing Jesus’ spilled blood and broken body that symbolizes His extravagant covenant made with those who believe. We remember His perfect sacrifice that cleansed us from all unrighteousness: past, present, and future.

Matt. 3:11; John 14:6; 1 Cor. 11:23-26

+ WATER BAPTISM

We believe that water baptism is a symbolic act where a believer identifies with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Water baptism is a voluntary and public profession of a person's repentance and faith in Jesus, and an outward testimony of an inward work of God. We celebrate baptisms done by everyday believers on-the-go in pools, lakes, and bathtubs (or whatever body of water is closest)!

Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 10:47-48

+ BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that Holy Spirit baptism is the promise of the Father given by Jesus after His ascension, initiated at Pentecost. We believe that each believer has the ability to experience a Holy Spirit baptism of power after experiencing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at salvation. The Holy Spirit baptism is given for the sake of the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus and the building up of the Body of Christ. When a believer receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, scriptural precedent demonstrates that he/she has the potential and probability of experiencing various gifts and manifestations such as prophetic experiences, unknown tongues, and other visible outward signs.

Mark 16:20; Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-18; Acts 8:14-18; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 14:3; Acts 19:6

+ GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the nine fruits of the Spirit are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life. We believe the nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit are active today and are different manifestations of the same Spirit. We are instructed to diligently seek the gifts. Corporately, these gifts are to be exercised in a posture of love and humility for the edification of the Body and the salvation of the lost.

1 Cor. 12:1-1, 31; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; 1 Cor. 14:1, 26-33; Gal. 5:22-23

+ HEALING AND MIRACLES

We believe that the healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus and is included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples, and therefore, to every believer. Healing is a provision of Christ’s atonement on the cross and is given as a sign that is to follow believers.

Ps. 103:2-3; Isa. 53:5; Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; 3 John 2

+ HUMAN LIFE

We believe people are the supreme object of God's creation with infinite value and worth. Every stage and expression of human life is precious to God - including pre-born babies, aging adults, and people of all physical and cognitive abilities. Every person is of inestimable worth to God regardless of race, age, gender, economic status, sexual desire, or citizenship, and is to be valued, honored, and loved by His people. It is our joy to no longer consider others according to the flesh but rather according to the spirit. The Kingdom of God is a diverse family made up of people from every race, ethnicity, language, and geo-political background.

Jer. 1:5; Ps. 127:3; Ps. 139:13-16; Luke 12:6-7; 2 Cor. 5:16; James 1

+ SEXUALITY

We believe that each person born with a specific biological gender is to agree with that gender in all aspects of life. God has designed covenant marriage between one biologically-born man and one biologically-born woman, for our good. We believe that sexual intimacy is a gift to be exclusively enjoyed within the context of covenant marriage. Every non-married believer is called to worship God through submitting their sexual desires to Him through abstinence.

Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:24; Gen. 5:2; Ps. 139:13; Jer. 1:5; Matt. 19:6; 1 Cor. 6:18; Eph. 5:31-32; Heb. 13:4; Jude 1:7

+ WOMEN IN MINISTRY

We believe that God has called, designed, and gifted women to lead and minister in many forms (teaching, pastoring, evangelizing, prophesying, etc.) both inside and outside the four walls of the church. Women are needed and necessary for the health and ministry of the Church. We believe that God opposes the marginalization, objectification, subjugation, intimidation, or any form of abuse based on gender.

Ex. 15:20; Judg. 4-5; Matt. 27:55–56; Matt. 28:1–10; Mark 15:40–41; Luke 7:36–50; Luke 8:1-3; John 4:5-42; Acts 1:12-14; Acts 2:17-18; Acts 18:26; Acts 21:8-9; Rom. 16:1–2, 7; 1 Cor. 14:1–5, 24–25