Beliefs
People often ask where the gospel comes from, and the answer is that it comes directly from God through His Word. We believe the Bible is divinely inspired and is to be interpreted by the literal method, where the rules of grammar, literature, history and culture are consistently applied. In this way, we can accurately understand the author’s meaning and properly apply the Bible’s principles.
All of the doctrines below flow directly from this high view of Scripture. It is why we include the word Bible in our name.
The Bible
We believe that the Scriptures in all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God, error free in the original manuscripts, and the supreme authority of faith and practice for followers of Christ. Learn more about why we use the ESV translation here.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12)
God
We believe there is one living and true God, who is one in essence, while eternally existing in three distinct persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Deuteronomy 6:4)
Man
We believe that mankind was directly created in the image of God to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His purposes on earth. However, in Adam, all mankind fell into sin; consequently all people are spiritually dead and subject to the certainty of both physical and spiritual death apart from faith in Jesus Christ.
(Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 3:10-23)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him are declared righteous by the Father on the grounds of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection, being regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(John 1:12; John 3:16; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Church
We believe that all who are “born again” by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are instructed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches.
(Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40)
Leadership
We believe that Jesus Christ leads the local church through a plurality of elders who have been called, gifted, and appointed by Him. By seeking the mind of Christ, depending upon the Holy Spirit and diligently examining the Word of God, the elders provide spiritual oversight and direction for the church. The qualifications of elders are character based as defined in 1 Timothy and Titus, and the decisions of the elders require unanimous agreement.
(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:1-6)
Learn more about our Elders and Cross-Campus Leadership Team on the Leadership page.
Baptism
Baptism is the one-time act of obedience in which the person who has put their trust in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on their behalf, is publicly immersed then raised from water, signifying their identification with Christ, and the body of Christ, the church. It is the outward sign, of the inward reality of personal salvation.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
The Lord's Table
We believe that The Lord’s Table is a memorial of Christ and His redemptive death. It is also an expression of our fellowship with one another. In communion we are reminded of Christ’s first coming and encouraged to look forward to His coming again.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
The Future
We believe the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. This is the blessed hope for which all those who love Christ yearn. While the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown, it is imminent and certain.
(Matthew 24:1-25:46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)