Statement of Faith

• God

  We believe that only one person is God and that He is a literal corporeal being—almighty, eternal, immortal, and the Creator of all things. (Dt. 6:4; Eph. 4:6; Isa. 44:6; Gen. 3:8)

• Jesus Christ

  We believe that Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, is the sinless and only begotten Son of God. He existed only from his birth. (Mt. 1:18-23; Mt. 3:17; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:21)

• The Holy Spirit

  We believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s divine power and influence manifest in God’s mighty works and the lives of His people. It is not a person. (Lk. 1:35; Rom. 15:19; Ps. 139:7-10)

• The Bible

  We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, given by divine inspiration. It is the only authoritative source of doctrine and practice for Christians. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Rev 22:19)

• Mankind

  We believe that mankind was created innocent but, through disobedience to God, fell under the condemnation of death—the cessation of all life and consciousness. All persons, being both sinful and mortal, are in need of salvation. (Gen. 1:31; Gen. 2:7; Gen. 16-17; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23)

• Salvation

  We believe that salvation is by the grace of God, through the atoning blood of Christ. It consists of God’s forgiveness of sin, the imparting of His Spirit to the believer, and finally, the gift of immortality at the resurrection when Christ returns (Rom. 6:3-13). The steps in the gospel plan of salvation are:

  1. Belief in the things concerning Jesus Christ and the Gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 8:12);
  2. Sincere repentance and confession of sins (Acts 2:38);
  3. Baptism—which is immersion—in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16);
  4. Indwelling of the believer by Christ through God’s Spirit (Titus 3:5);
  5. Growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).
• Christian Life

  We believe that the Christian life is primarily a life of consecrated discipleship to Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Teacher. It will be exemplified by love, prayerful dependence on God, study of God’s Word, development of the fruit of the Spirit, stewardship, and tithing. The Church will recognize those members who, because of their religious convictions, claim exemption from military service. (1 Pet. 2:21; Jn. 8:31-32; Jn. 6:15-17; Jn. 13:34-35)

• The Church of God

  We believe that the Church of God is the scriptural name for that body of people who have been called out from among all nations through obedience to the gospel plan of salvation. Christ is the Head of the Church, and the nature, work, and government of the Church are set forth in the New Testament. (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 10:32; Gal. 1:13)

• Israel

  We believe that “Israel” is the name of the literal descendants of Abraham through Jacob. As God’s chosen nation, Israel was given the land of Palestine, but because of disobedience, they were scattered throughout the world. In accordance with God’s covenant with them, they will be restored to Palestine as the head of the nations in the Kingdom of God. (2 Sam. 7:8-16; Jer. 33:20-21; Rom. 11:1-32)

• The Return of Jesus and the Kingdom of God

  We believe the Kingdom of God will be established on earth when Christ returns personally and visibly to reign as King in Jerusalem over the whole earth, with the Church as joint heirs with him. His millennial reign will be followed by the final judgment and destruction of the wicked, after which “new heavens and a new earth” will be established, wherein there will be no more death, and God will be all in all. (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Rev. 20:6-15; Rev 21:1-5)