What We Believe

The Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Divine providence has delivered to our hands the canon of scriptures we know today as the Holy Bible.  Its content and accuracy to the original language is nothing short of a miracle. One Author spoke through dozens of writers over more than 1,000 years. God’s everlasting Word has been given to us so we might heed its warnings, apply its teachings, and obey its commandments. 

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

2 Peter 1:20-21

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

There is only one God and His name is Jesus.  

The invisible God of creation took on flesh in order to become the Lamb of God.  Jesus is not a second person in the Godhead, He is the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9) manifest in flesh.  He fulfilled the plan of God for the redemption of mankind.  He has returned as the Comforter (John 14:18) and the Holy Ghost to empower his church. 

Deuteronomy 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD

I Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

John 1:1, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We are all born under the curse of sin and need a Savior.

Sin separates from God, our Heavenly Father and Maker.  This is a result of the fall of mankind when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Every man and woman are now affected by the curse of sin.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

You must be born again of water and the Spirit.

We are born again of water by baptism.  We are born again of the Spirit when we receive Holy Ghost. Jesus taught that every man must be born again.

John 3:3-7

Jesus answered…I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God…

I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Water baptism in Jesus’ name is the only method of baptism found in scripture.

As it is the sole mode and method found in the Bible, it should be practiced in modern times.  All other modes of baptism are ineffectual, extra-biblical, and purely historical.  The power of remission of sins vested in water baptism is in concert with use of the name of Jesus Christ. 

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:12, 16, 35-36

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

…they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then Philip…preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Acts 10:48

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Acts 19:5

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Speaking in a new, unlearned tongue is the initial evidence when one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ongoing evidences of the Holy Ghost are spiritual maturity, the fruit of the Spirit, and the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. But all who receive the Holy Ghost experience the initial sign of speaking in an unknown and unlearned language as the Spirit gives the utterance.

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 10:44-46

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Acts 19:6

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Isaiah 28:11

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Without holiness of the heart (inside) and conduct (outside) we cannot see God.

Born again believers live a life of following holiness unto the Lord.  This is a two part pursuit.  First, we are separated unto God.  We belong to him as His purchased possession.  Second, they live separate from sinners and from sin. Christians abstain from transgression of God’s laws and engage in obedience to His commandments. 

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Hebrews 7:26

(Jesus) is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners…

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God..

Heaven is a real place that God has prepared for those who love Him and have obeyed the plan of salvation.

Jesus said He went prepare a place for His Disciples. Heaven is a place of beauty and splendor beyond human imagination or description. Scriptures provide a few glimpses into Heaven’s atmosphere. The Bible also details many lifestyles and deeds that will not be permitted to enter heaven.

John 14:2

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Revelation 21:9-27

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof… And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

The rapture is yet to come.

The rapture will occur at a time unexpected and will commence instantaneously.  Those living now must get prepared and remain ready for the imminent return of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Luke 12:40

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Mark 13:32-33

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.