What we Teach
THE BIBLE: The basis for our teaching is the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is uniquely God-inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the final authority on all matters of faith and practice.
GOD: We teach that there is but one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 29:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) - each possessing all the attributes of deity and deserving of our worship and obedience. In the beginning God created out of nothing the universe and all things therein, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation. By His providence, He is operating throughout history to fulfill His plan of redemption.
JESUS CHRIST: We teach that Jesus Christ - the second Person of the Trinity - though being equal with God (John 10:30; Philippians 2:5-8), surrendered His prerogatives of deity and came to earth to pay the debt for man's soul. Having been born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23-25), Jesus lived a totally sinless life, and was therefore qualified to pay for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24). He literally and physically rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 20:30-31; Romans 4:25; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). We teach that Jesus will return to earth personally and visibly to consummate history and judge all mankind according to the eternal plan of God (John 5:22-23; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
HOLY SPIRIT: We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, co-equal with the Father and the Son in all the divine attributes (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14). He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation, He indwells every believer and equips them for personal growth and service to the church. (John 16:7-9; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22). The indwelling of the Spirit is a divine guarantee which seals the believer unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9;Ephesians 1:13-14). Christians are endowed with spiritual gifts through the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are intended to strengthen the church and glorify Christ.
PURPOSE: We teach that the central purpose of God's revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. God originally created humans to have fellowship with Him and to glorify Him (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16), but they defied God by choosing to go their own way. As a result, man suffered alienation from God and corruption of his nature(Psalms 51:5; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-4). The salvation of mankind, therefore, is wholly a work of God's free grace, not the result of human works or goodness. This salvation is a gift, made available through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19).