The Bible We believe the Bible, in its original writing, is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God, and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct regarding establishing an honoring and reverent relationship with God. God We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons (the Trinity): Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal. Humanity We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image, making them the crown of creation and granting them immense dignity and worth. We affirm the equal value and dignity of all people, regardless of sex, race, or social status. Humanity was originally created sinless and upright, but through voluntary sin against God (the Fall), all people henceforth inherited a sinful nature and are separated from God. Therefore, every person stands in need of salvation to redeem and restore their union with God through Jesus Christ. Salvation We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. We receive this gift through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and the Son of God. Salvation is a process that includes establishing a right standing with God and ongoing growth toward the example of Jesus. Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and is fully God and fully man. He died on the cross for our sins, was physically resurrected on the third day in His tomb, ascended into heaven, now sits at the right hand of God, and will return again in power and glory to establish His eternal Kingdom, Heaven. Holy Spirit We believe the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, empowers the church with spiritual gifts, conviction, and regeneration to accomplish God's will and work in the world, which should always be exercised in harmony with the Bible. The spiritual gifts described in the Bible, which all believers are commanded to desire, are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. The Church We believe the Church is made up of the followers of Jesus Christ historically, globally, and with many current localized expressions of His eternal community unified by His Holy Spirit. The Church is commanded to share the Good News of Jesus Christ’s offer of salvation and is commanded to practice Water Baptism and Communion (The Lord's Supper). Water Baptism We believe that Water Baptism is commanded by Jesus Christ for all of His faithful followers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a public and symbolic act to declare their faith in Jesus to creation, often performed by full immersion into water, that identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signifying their regeneration and commitment to following Him. It is not a means of salvation, but a demonstration of obedience and faith. Communion (The Lord’s Supper) We observe the practice of Communion as commanded by Jesus Christ. It is an act reserved for His followers, where we partake in remembering and proclaiming the atoning sacrifice on the cross of Christ's body, symbolized by eating bread, and Christ’s blood, symbolized by drinking wine/grape juice. We are commanded to partake in Communion until the return of Jesus. Eternity We believe Jesus will return to earth as the judge of people who chose to faithfully follow Him in life and those who did not. At the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom through His return, Jesus will receive all of His followers into an eternal life with God (Heaven), and all people who do not follow Jesus are sent into an eternal separation from God (Hell).