What We Believe
We accept the large areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all evangelical Christians. In matters of doctrine, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love.
This page is a concise statement of our beliefs. The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) represents a more detailed statement of what we believe.
There is one true God, eternally existing in three Persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These are equal and are one God. God created the world out of nothing and by His power He sustains all He has created. (Romans 8:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Jesus was miraculously born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35) and became flesh and blood (John 1:1-16; 29-34) without ceasing to be God. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles to confirm His divinity. He died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice, paying the debt for our sins (Mark 10:45). On the third day after His death He arose from the dead showing His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He appeared to His disciples and then ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God serving as our mediator.
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son. He makes people aware of their need for Christ (John 16:8-11, 2 Corinthians 6:11). He indwells and empowers the believer (I John 4:13; Galatians 5:16-26). His presence in our life is a seal and guarantee that we are God’s children (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The Holy Spirit gives believers spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 12:4-8) to be used to help others.
The Bible is the historical record of God’s activity written by men but inspired by God’s Spirit and contains no error. It is truth provided for the believer as a tool to know the heart of God. It reveals the plan, purposes and will of God for all time (2 Timothy 3:16).
Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. All have sinned, but all can be saved. This salvation is available for any who put their trust in Christ as Savior (Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 3:16). Those trusting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized by immersion (Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38). Those who truly believe are completely secure and safe in God’s grace. (John 10:27-29).
The church is the Body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16). The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.
Christ will one day return and judge all people (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Unbelievers will be separated from God’s presence in Hell and believers will be welcomed in God’s presence in Heaven.