Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. All of us will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in relationship with God through the forgiveness of sin and salvation through Jesus alone. Hell is to be eternally separated from God. Heaven is to be in an eternal relationship with God. Heaven and Hell are very real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

Man and Sin

Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation and affection. Man was created for God with the purpose of a deep thriving relationship with Him.  Man became separated from God in relationship through sinful disobedience. Sin created a type of spiritual debt that is now applied to every human being. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own efforts. The cost of sin is proper sacrifice and Jesus paid this spiritual debt in full. It’s only through Jesus that sin can be forgiven. Jesus’ work on the cross brought those who believe and follow Him back into right standing with God.

Every human is uniquely created by God and is worthy of respect and Christian love. 

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11

Salvation

Jesus sacrifice is the only payment that satisfies God anger toward sin. Jesus opened the door to repentance, healing and forgiveness. Salvation only occurs when people place their faith and trust in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our efforts.

Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

Water Baptism and Communion 

Water baptism and communion are two ordinances handed down by Jesus himself to all believers. Water baptism through immersion should happen soon after a person has decided to become a follower of Jesus. This is what was modeled for us in the Bible. We believe water baptism is a symbol of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ and a testimony to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Communion was first introduced by Jesus at His last supper. He reminds us that the act of communion is a figurative expression of a very real reality that his body was indeed broken for us and his blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The regular taking of Communion as an act of remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross.

Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; acts 2:38; Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16;  1 Corinthians 11:26; Acts 2:42; Luke 22:19-20;  1 Corinthians 11:24-25; John 6:53-58; Mark 14:22-25; 

The Church

The Church is what is know as the body of Christ. It consists of every person that has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. This spans a beyond any denomination or affiliation, it is every Christ follower. 

The term church is also used to describe a local community of believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. 

The Church is Jesus’ plan A for reaching the world with the Gospel message, there is no plan B. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. The church is to be a community of grace and mercy that invites all people however they come. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The churches work is to invite and share the message of hope. 

Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3