God

We believe that there is only one living and true God, who exists in three distinct persons – God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three, the Trinity, are equal in essence and distinct in function.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 3:16-17

The Father

The first person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to his purpose and pleasure. He has created humanity to bring him glory and honor, through His grace. While he is transcendent, he is also actively involved in his creation – offering an eternal relationship with us through his Son Jesus Christ. We believe that God is good and that our relationship with Him is based upon our obligation to follow His will.

John 5:19-24; Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 17:30

The Son

We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man. Fully God, fully man. His sinless, sacrificial offering on the cross satisfied the Father’s justice, offering atonement for all of humanity’s sins, for all time. We believe in his bodily resurrection, his physical ascension, and his visible return to bring His followers home.

John 1:1-3; Matthew 16:16; John 1:14-18; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 2:9

The Holy Spirit

The third person of the Trinity executes the will of God in this world through humanity, by leading, guiding, filling, teaching, and convicting. The Holy Spirit is not merely an impersonal force, but is a person, displaying the qualities of personhood (intellect, emotions and will) of the Father. He equips believers upon conversion by giving them gifts to be used for the building up of the church, and by bearing fruit through their surrendered lives.

Acts 2:1-4; John 16:5-16; Galatians 5:16-25

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the perfect Word of God. The Bible is the authority within the church (not tradition, or human invention). It is how we come to know God for they shine insight into the character of the Trinity. May the quote of the great American Theologian Alexander Campbell be your guide: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21

Salvation

We believe that God has given us a choice in this life to follow Him or not. That choice begins with belief. We believe that He is the Son of God who paid the price on the cross for our sins. All journeys of faith begin with that simple belief in Jesus. And apart from belief there is no hope of salvation.

John 3:16-18; Mark 16:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9

To Believe

We believe that God has given us a choice in this life to follow Him or not. That choice begins with belief. We believe that He is the Son of God who paid the price on the cross for our sins. All journeys of faith begin with that simple belief in Jesus. And apart from belief there is no hope of salvation.

John 3:16-18; Mark 16:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9

To Repent

Scripture teaches that those who choose Jesus must follow Him. Following Him means a change of direction from the path we followed before. To repent means to change directions and place our focus on Jesus. We are hardwired as humans to move in the direction we are looking. Repentance is setting our eyes on Jesus.

Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 7:10

To Confess

To confess is to make a public statement of one’s inner beliefs. God calls us to stand in our newfound faith and publicly proclaim that He is Lord of our lives. We believe this confession of faith is part of His plan of salvation.

Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 2:9-11; Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 16:16

Baptism (Immersion)

We believe that baptism is an essential part of God’s plan of salvation. From the examples given in Scripture, baptism is the moment in which sins are washed away and the Holy Spirit begins to indwell our hearts. Baptism is the connection point between the blood of Christ and the sinfulness of our lives. Believing, repenting, and confession prepare one’s heart and life to be washed in the water.

1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 6:3-6; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:25-39

The Church

We believe that once we enter into salvation, we are motivated to be committed to the cause of Christ by assembling in worship and allowing the light of Christ to shine in us. We are to live in such a way that our faith will continue to grow and allow us to become more and more like Jesus. The Church is the Body of Christ in this world. We are the Church and must allow ourselves to be led and directed by the Head – Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 12:12