Our Doctrine

Statement of Faith

We believe that the seven-fold unity as expressed in Ephesians 4:4-6, is the Holy Spirit's doctrinal statement for the Church which is the Body of Christ. We believe that all expressions of doctrinal position for this dispensation of grace must be in full accord with this outline of the Holy Spirit.

Major Beliefs

The Bible
We believe that the Bible (all 66 books) in its original writings is inerrant, verbally inspired of God and is of plenary authority (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21) being the enduring Word of God (Matthew 24:35). It is the one and only authority on matters of Christian faith and practice. It is a progressive revelation, and must be studied in that light to arrive at a correct interpretation (2 Timothy 2:15).
The Godhead
We believe that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30), eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14, Matthew 28:19).
God the Father
God the Father is the first person of the Godhead. He existed before time (Ephesians 1:4). He is the source of the universe (Genesis 1:1).
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead and the Savior of the world (1 Timothy 1:15). He is eternal (John 8:58) and is true God (Colossians 2:9) and true man in one Person (Philippians 2:6-9). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20-25), and was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). He is the creator of the universe and not a created being (Colossians 1:15-17). He was crucified, raised from the dead (Romans 1:3,4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and ascended to the right hand of the Father to be the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead Who convicts unbelievers of sin and Who regenerates (Titus 3:5), baptizes (1 Corinthians 12:13), indwells, seals (Ephesians 1:13), enlightens (Ephesians 1:17-18), and empowers believers (Ephesians 3:16).
Man
We believe that Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26), but because of Adam's sin, the race fell (Genesis 2:17 & 3:1-7; Romans 5:12). Consequently, mankind inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God (Ephesians 2:1-3). In and of himself man is totally depraved and unable to remedy his lost condition (Romans 3:10-23).
Salvation
We believe that God justifies ungodly sinners by His grace, based on the shed blood of Jesus Christ through the means of faith (Romans 3:24-28). This complete salvation is given as the free gift of God apart from man's works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5).
Eternal Security
We believe that anyone who has placed his faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ for his salvation is eternally secure (Romans 8:1,35-39; Ephesians 1:13,14; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 3:4).
Resurrection
We believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily from the dead (Luke 24:39). Believers will be raised from death to everlasting glory in the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). Unbelievers will be raised in a separate resurrection unto everlasting condemnation. (Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15).
The Church
We believe that in the present age there is only one true Church (believers in Christ), which is called the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 3:1-6), separate and distinct from the prophesied, earthly kingdom of Christ. Since the Body of Christ began with the Apostle Paul, and in keeping with this distinction, we recognize the God-inspired epistles of Paul (Galatians 1:12) to be the instruction for the Body of Christ today (Ephesians 3:8-9; Romans 11:13).
Rapture
We believe that the rapture of the Church "which is His body" will be pre-tribulational. Christ will come to receive the members of His Body to Himself. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Philippians 3:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the second coming of Christ to the earth will be pre-millenial. In this coming He will set up His prophesied millennial kingdom for the nation Israel, over which He will reign (Zechariah 14:4,9; Acts 1:10,11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:4-6).
Baptism
We believe that all saved persons have been made members of the Body of Christ by one divine baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13). By this one baptism every member of the Body of Christ is identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. In the light of the statement concerning the one baptism in Ephesians 4:5, the statements concerning baptism in Colossians 2:12 and Romans 6:3,4, and Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel," we affirm that water baptism has no place in God's spiritual program for the Body of Christ in this age of grace.
The Lord's Supper
We believe that participation in the Lord's Supper, by members of the Body of Christ, as revealed through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, is done "until He comes," in remembrance of His finished work on Calvary.
Gifts
We believe that spiritual gifts were originally given to the nation of Israel to equip them for their kingdom ministry (Psalm 68:18; Mark 16:17-18; Hebrews 2:3-4). These gifts were also given in the early body of Christ: as a sign of the truth of Paul's message (Acts 15:12), as a sign to unbelieving Israel (1 Corinthians 14:22), to reveal truth until the revelation of the mystery was complete (1 Corinthians 13:8), to edify the body (1 Corinthians 14:3-4) and to bring the body to a state of maturity (Ephesians 4:7-16). Since the completion of the written word of God, the gifts, being temporary in nature, have ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-11).
The Christian's Walk and Service
We believe that all Christians are called with a holy calling (Romans 6:12,13) and are to walk after the Spirit, not after the flesh (Romans 8:4). They are to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit so as not to fulfill the lust of the flesh (Romans 8:5-15; Galatians 5:16). We believe that all Christians are given the ministry of reconciliation and are called to be ambassadors for Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:19-20). The Adamic nature is never eradicated in this life, but can be kept in subjection by the enabling power of the Lord in the life of the yielded believer (Romans 7:18-25). The completed word of God, rightly divided, fully equips the believer to serve God (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). Rewards are promised for all faithful service and holy living (2 Corinthians 5:9,10).
Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex (Genesis 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).
Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians of the Church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the Church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32).

Authority of Statement of Faith

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.