What we believe

We believe that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. We believe the Bible contains all the necessary truth to lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It contains all that people in any age need to know for their salvation. We call the Bible God’s Word, believing that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God speaks to us through this book.

We believe in one living God who has complete power and is wise, good and pure. We believe He is loving, forgiving and faithful. We believe God created all things. We believe this one God has three expressions: The Father (God), The Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30)

We believe that even though we cannot earn God’s favor by good works, they are still pleasing to God and show evidence of true faith in God, and Jesus as Lord of their life. (Matthew 5:16; 7:16-20; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; James 2:18, 22)

We believe that the Holy Spirit has spiritual gifts to all believers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and bringing glory to God. The gifts are to be exercised in love and emphasize the need for unity (I Corinthians 12:4, 11, 18, 21- 25; Ephesians 4:11-16)

Unlike nations on earth, God’s kingdom does not have defined borders. It is not restricted to a certain location, like a cathedral; nor can it be reduced to “religious” activity. By God’s kingdom we mean God’s sovereign rule, God’s sphere of influence. We believe that God’s Spirit is busy extending God’s rule all over creation.

God’s reign is evident in spiritual experiences of renewal and change. But it is also evident in God’s gracious upholding of creation day by day, season by season. God’s reign is evident anywhere God’s will is done—in actions, lives, technology, artistry, and institutions.

God calls each of us to participate in the spread of his kingdom. The whole world is a place where we can carry out the mission of restoring God’s creation.

We believe that God ordained two sacraments: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is received in remembrance of Christ’s death for our sins; the bread representing His body and the wine, His blood. It is in remembrance of God’s love and grace toward us, and the love we must share with one another. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; I Corinthians 10:16) Baptism is an outward symbolic act signifying salvation and cleansing of sin. (Numbers 8:7; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:26).

We also believe in Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction (Sacrament of the sick).

The creeds adopted by the worldwide church centuries ago summarize the most important tenets of our faith: the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.

A quick look at the structure of the Apostles’ Creed reveals one of the bedrock truths of the Christian faith: the Trinity. The creed is divided into three parts: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All Christians believe that the Bible reveals one God in three “persons.” In other words, God is a perfect community of love.

We believe in God’s sovereignty. It’s all about God! We hold a very high view of God’s sovereignty: God’s plan, God’s will, God’s power. Everything that happens in the world, from the acts of nations to the faith of individuals, is ultimately under God’s sovereign control.