Statement of Faith We believe that: The Holy Scriptures, composed of the Old Testament and the New Testament, are fully inspired by God, inerrant in the original writing, completely trustworthy in all areas in which they speak, and the supreme and final authority in faith and practice. There is one Almighty and Perfect God who exists eternally as the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, three distinct persons yet one God. Jesus Christ, begotten by a direct creative act of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man - is the only mediator between God and mankind. He alone is perfect in nature, teaching and obedience in all human existence. The Holy Spirit is the Regenerator and Sanctifier of the redeemed, the Bestower of spiritual fruit and gifts, and the abiding Comforter and Teacher of the body of Christ. In Adam, mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. Through Adam's first act of disobedience, mankind has fallen, is radically corrupt, alienated from God and totally depraved at the heart of his being. The desperate need of man is restoration to fellowship with God, to which man remains totally unable to restore himself apart from Christ. Eternal salvation, the gift of God, provided for men solely by His grace through the vicarious death of Jesus Christ. Faith is the means by which the believer appropriates the saving benefits of His death. Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will physically and personally return at the consummation of the age to judge both the just and unjust. Eternal punishment, including eternal separation, fire and loss of fellowship with God is the ultimate destiny of unregenerate man, Satan and all his hosts. The Christian Church, which is the body and bride of Christ, is dedicated to the worship and service of God through the faithful proclamation of the Word and Gospel, the practice of good works, and the observation of the sacraments or ordinances of baptism and the Lord''s Supper. The task of the Church is to teach all nations, bringing the Gospel to bear upon every aspect of life and thought. Its ultimate mission is the salvation of souls. |