The Bible We believe the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. The Scriptures were written by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and are the final authority for faith, doctrine, and Christian living. The Bible reveals God’s will, God’s character, and God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The Godhead We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct in personhood, equal in divine nature, and united in purpose, power, and glory. Jesus Christ We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, and His divine miracles. We believe in His atoning death through the shedding of His blood for the redemption of mankind, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and His personal return in power and great glory. The Holy Spirit We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, regenerates the believer, and empowers the Church. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation, with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We further believe the gifts of the Spirit are active and operative in the Church today for edification, service, and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Salvation We believe that salvation is a gift of God made available through grace by faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance from sin and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are essential for salvation. Through faith in the finished work of Christ, believers are justified, sanctified, and made new creatures in Him. Sanctification and Holy Living We believe sanctification is a definite work of grace, subsequent to salvation, whereby the believer is set apart for God’s holy purpose. We affirm the call to holy living, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as an essential part of the Christian life and witness. Water Baptism We believe Baptism is an outward expression of an inward work of grace and a public testimony of faith in Christ. While baptism is not required for salvation, it is an act of obedience and identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper We believe in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, commonly called Communion, as a memorial of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Through the symbolic use of bread and juice representing the body and blood of Christ, believers remember His sacrifice and proclaim His death until He comes again. Marriage and Biblical Sexual Ethics We believe marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God and defined in Scripture as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and His Church. We believe God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed exclusively within the covenant of marriage and that all sexual expression outside of this biblical framework is contrary to God’s will. The Church We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, composed of all believers who have been redeemed by His blood. The Church is called to worship God, preach the Gospel, make disciples, operate in the power of the Holy Spirit, and demonstrate God’s love through service and outreach. The Second Coming and Eternal Judgment We believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the eternal blessedness of the redeemed, and the eternal separation of the unredeemed.