“God superintended the human authors of the Bible so that they composed and recorded without error His message to mankind in the words of their original writings” – Charles Ryrie   (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pt 1:21, 1 Cor 2:13)

• Inspired–  Special revelation directly from God and preserved for all generations.
• Inerrant–  The Bible was composed and recorded without error in the original writings and thus is fully reliable –  It is true in all that it teaches and affirms.
• Sufficient–   We believe that the canon of Scripture was closed with Revelation and that it is sufficient as our guide.

Because we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture, we do not accept charismatic gifts such as speaking in tongues and prophecy as an orderly part of our worship services.

Sin may be defined as “any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.” (Wayne Grudem) When Adam and Eve sinned, depravity and death marred but did not erase the image of God in humanity. From Adam, guilt was passed on to all subsequent generations so that all of humanity fell under condemnation for violating the law of God (Rom 5:12). Human nature was now polluted, being corrupted by sin so that from the moment of birth humankind is tainted by sinful thoughts, desires, and actions (Ps 51:5). As such, humanity is radically depraved, or in complete bondage to the influence and penalty of sin apart from the gracious intervention of Christ.

Because we are dead in our sins, salvation can only occur because of God’s gracious initiative, which began with his election of those who would be saved before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4-6). In response to God’s effectual call to salvation, an individual accepts the truth of the message and appropriates the salvation made available through faith in Jesus Christ. Acceptance of God’s offer of salvation includes repentance of sin and faith in the person and work of Christ. This acceptance of God’s gracious offer of salvation is simultaneously an abandonment of all other futile attempts to bridge the chasm between humanity and God through good works or merit of any kind. At that point, believers are given forgiveness of sin based upon Christ’s sacrifice, and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to them. (Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:8-9)

• We hold that those who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ are secure in their salvation and will ultimately be glorified in heaven (Rom 8:29)

Christ will return personally and visibly to the earth, and the dead will be raised. Christ will serve as the judge, and those found unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. But those who are found to have the righteousness of Christ will live forever in Heaven with the Lord in their glorified bodies. (Jn 14:3, 1 Thess 4:16-17)

• Our church’s position on last things interprets the key passages in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Revelation to teach a pretribulation, premillennial rapture of the church. This position is not a test of fellowship in our congregation but will be taught by the church’s leadership.

All people who place their faith in Jesus Christ are united in one spiritual body, the church, of which Christ is the head (1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 1:22). The purpose of the church is to glorify God by carrying out the Great Commission through instruction in Scripture, fellowship, worship, building up one another in faith, and faithfully proclaiming the gospel (Acts 2:38-42, Eph 4:11-16, Matt 29:19). Jesus Christ is the supreme authority and head of the church. He leads the church by the Holy Spirit through elders who must meet biblical qualifications and have His authority in directing the church (Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 5:1-3, 1 Tim 5:17-22). The congregation is called to submit to their leadership (Heb. 13:7,17). The church observes two ordinances as follows:

• Baptism – Baptism is a public declaration of one’s obedience to and faith in Jesus Christ and is a visible symbol of salvation depicting the death to sin, new life in Christ, and purpose to live for Christ. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ and was one of two church ordinances that Christ taught should be practiced by the New Testament church. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, nor does it have any saving efficacy whatsoever. This public confession of faith in Christ and declaration of one’s intent to follow Him is a prerequisite to church membership.
• The Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s Supper is the second ordinance Christ gave the church to be practiced regularly until his return. The bread and the juice are in no way a sacrifice but are meant to commemorate His death, confirm our faith, renew our fellowship with Him, and restore our fellowship with one another.