• The Bible is the dependable and authoritative Word of God. No other writing is of such divine origin or is necessary for Christian faith and practice. Originating from the Father, God's Word is fulfilled in Jesus Christ His Son and is applied to our lives by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 5:39; Luke 24:44; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 17:17; 1 Peter 1:24, 25; Revelation 22:18,19. 

 

God the Father is the almighty Creator and loving Provider, eternal King and Judge of the universe.Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24, 25, 30, 31; Genesis 17:1, 2; Exodus 20:1-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 19:6.

 

Jesus Christ, the preexistent Son of God, is the Savior, Lord, and eternal Redeemer of all who truly believe. John 1:18; 1:1-3; 3:16; 17:5; Matthew 1:21; 12:40; Luke 1:26-35; 24:51; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 2:36.

 

 The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in believers - convicting, converting, teaching truth, prompting obedience, bearing fruit, distributing gifts, and empowering witness John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; 3:5; Acts 1:5, 8; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 2:3-11, 13; Luke 11:13; Acts 5:32.

 

 

Humans are sinners by birth and by choice. Because our first parents disobeyed, sin and death follow on us all. We also have sinned in thought, word, deed, and in omission. Genesis 1:26, 27, 31; 3:1-19; Romans 3:23; 5:12-19; 8:19-23.

                                                                               

Salvation is the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. It originates in God's grace, is achieved by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is personally received by faith. John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2:21-24; Romans 3:23-25; 5:1, 6-11; Hebrews 4:15; Colossians 1:20-23; Acts 4:12.

 

Saving faith includes repentance, which activates obedience and good works through love - all produced by the Holy Spirit within. The regenerate Christian is obedient to the terms of the gospel, to the words of Christ, and to the enduring law of God summarized in the Ten Commandments. All the commandments remain as standards of holiness, including observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. John 3:16-18; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 16:31; 2:38; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9, 10; Matthew 5:23, 24;  2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 2:6; Galatians 5:6b.

 

 Baptism by immersion in water is a commanded response to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ on our behalf. It pictures the believer's covenant union with the Lord: death to sin, burial of the old nature, and rising to new life. Baptism itself does not save, but is an act of obedience to the gospel that should not be postponed following faith, repentance, and regeneration. It is designed not for infants, but for those who know God's saving plan and who decide to trust and obey the Lord. Romans 6:1-6; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 16:30-34; 1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20.

 

At the Lord's Supper, unleavened bread and fruit of the vine are received as symbols of our Lord's body and blood, which He offered as a sacrifice for sin. In this memorial of the Lord's death, we illustrate our union with the Savior, commune with others as the body of Christ, and proclaim our hope in His return. Unfermented grape juice is the symbol we choose for His blood. Because the first Lord's Supper was at Passover, we have chosen to observe it on Nisan fourteen of the Hebrew calendar. We extend charity toward those who may observe communion at other times. At the supper, we follow Jesus' example and command by washing one another's feet in service and humility. Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17; 11:23-26; John 13:1-17. 

 

 Jesus Christ shall return from heaven at the end of this age. The dead shall be raised from their sleep in the grave, and all humans shall be judged according to their works. The righteous shall be changed to immortality to live forever with the Lord; the wicked shall be completely consumed in the lake of fire. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth as the home of the redeemed for all eternity. John 14:1-3; Acts 1:7-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 25:31, 32; Mark 8:38; 13:32; Luke 17:22-37; Job 19:25-27.