Basics of the Faith are the core beliefs that all followers of Jesus Christ hold. These truths are essential to Christianity itself—they define what it means to know Jesus, trust in His finished work, and walk in relationship with Him. These are not optional or secondary issues; they are non-negotiable truths connected to a saving relationship with Jesus.

1. The Bible

We believe the entire Bible—all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments—is verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings. Through the providence of God, the Word of God has been protected and preserved and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

2. God

We believe there is only one true, living, sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each being a distinct Person with a distinct function, yet all of one essence and all possessing the same nature, perfection, and attributes. The triune God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience (Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Genesis 1:31).

3. Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, shed His blood on the cross as a vicarious substitute, was buried, bodily resurrected, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return literally, visibly, and personally in glory and power (John 1:1–3, 14; Matthew 1:18–25; Philippians 2:5–9; 1 Corinthians 15:1–8; Acts 1:11).

3a. The Resurrection

We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:39–43; John 20:24–29).

3b. Christ’s Ascension and Beyond

We believe that Christ Jesus ascended to the Father and is presently preparing a place for His people and interceding for them (John 14:1–6; Romans 8:34).

3c. Christ’s Return

We believe in the visible, bodily return of Christ Jesus to the earth—to rapture His Church (Bride) and judge the world (Acts 1:10–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; James 5:8; Revelation 1:7).

3d. Jesus Is God

We believe that Jesus is God come in the flesh and that He is both divine and human (Luke 1:26–38; John 14:1–3; Acts 2:36; Acts 3:14–15; Philippians 2:5–12; John 1:1, 14).

4. The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-existent with the Father and the Son. He convicts the world of sin and is the chief agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and empowers every believer to live a godly life (John 14:16–19; John 16:7–15; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5).

5. The Trinity

We believe in the one God revealed in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; John 17).

6. Mankind

We believe that in the beginning God created mankind in His image and that humanity is not in any sense the product of evolution. Mankind was originally created with the ability to live perfectly for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 1:31).

6a. Apart From God…

We believe that man, in his natural state, is a sinner—lost, undone, without hope, and without God (Romans 3:19–23; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1–2, 12).

7. Sin

We believe that Adam, the first man, sinned by willful disobedience. This act of open rebellion resulted in the fall of all mankind; therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Mankind’s fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God (Genesis 3:1–24; Romans 3:10–23; Romans 5:12–21; Romans 6:23).

8. Salvation

We believe the salvation of lost and sinful mankind is a free gift of God’s grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ’s vicarious and atoning death, effected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

9. Eternal Security

We believe that since God gives us eternal life through Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation forever. Our salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the efforts of the believer (John 10:29–30; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 5:11–13).

9a. Eternity

We believe man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell; to be eternally with God is heaven. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence (John 3:16; John 2:25; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15).

10. The Church

We believe that the church is the body of Christ and the family of God, made up of saved believers (people who have chosen Christ as their Savior) (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Hebrews 10:25).

Beliefs About Church Matters & Eternity are foundational truths from God’s Word—truths that every Christian will gradually learn and embrace as they grow in their walk with Christ. While these beliefs are important, not understanding them yet does not keep a person from receiving Salvation. However, they do influence our spiritual maturity.

As we learn and accept these truths, they shape our confidence in Christ, deepen our sense of security in Him, strengthen our ability to share our faith, and help us walk in greater obedience to His Word. In short, these beliefs don’t determine whether we are saved, but they significantly impact how we grow, live, and thrive as followers of Jesus.

11. 11. Evangelism

    We believe it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to make growing disciples (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8).

    11a. The Great Commission

    We believe God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20), so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:9).

    12. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

    Jesus instructed His followers to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (ordinances) as reminders: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is an act of obedient identification with Jesus as Lord and serves as an outward sign of conscious confession of repentance and faith. The Lord’s Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, and promised return (Matthew 26:26–29; Matthew 28:18–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32).

    13. The Ordinances of the Church

    We believe the two ordinances (commands) of the Church are water baptism and communion (the Lord’s Supper).

    13a. Water Baptism

    Water baptism is immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:15–16; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 8:38; Romans 6:1–4). It is a symbol of identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism does not bring salvation; it is an outward witness of one’s choice to follow Jesus and a Christian’s first act of obedience.

    13b. Communion

    Communion is a memorial of the death, resurrection, and Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:14–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). Communion is not the actual blood of Jesus; it is the symbolic act of remembrance of what Jesus did for all mankind.

Impact Beliefs are biblical truths that shape how Christians live out their faith in everyday life. These truths are not requirements for salvation, but they profoundly influence whether a believer’s walk with Christ is confident, fruitful, Spirit-led, and grounded in truth.

14. In the World, but Not of the World

We believe believers should, as the early disciples did, practice a separated life from the world and unto Christ and set standards of conduct that exalt our Lord and His Church (Romans 12:1–3; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11; Colossians 3:17).

15. Intimate Relationships

We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, and incest are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

16. Stewardship

We believe every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church with his time, talent, and treasure (Malachi 3:8). We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving. Christians can also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully for the relief of those in need and the spread of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 8–9). We believe a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made.

17. Satan

We believe in the personality and depraved character of Satan, who is the great enemy of God and man. We believe that he, along with the company of demonic beings serving him, works out his evil plans through the ungodly world system, limited only by the sovereign rule of God. We believe that he was judged by Christ at the cross and will ultimately meet his doom in the lake of fire, where he will remain for all eternity (Matthew 4:3–11; Genesis 3:1; John 8:44; Revelation 12:9–10; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19; Job 1:6–12; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10).

17a. Angels and Demons

We believe in the reality and personality of angels. We believe that God created an innumerable company of these sinless, spiritual beings to be His servants and messengers (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2; Hebrews 1:14). We believe in the existence and personality of Satan and demons. Satan is a fallen angel who led a great company of angels into rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12–17; Ezekiel 28:12–15) and these demons (fallen angels who rebelled against God) are his agents to be used for his unholy purposes. He and his demons shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

18. The Christian Life

We believe that God expects every believer to live a life of obedience, in which every area of life is brought under the lordship of Jesus Christ and the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident. The goal of the Christian life is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This life is characterized supremely by self-giving love for God and for others. The life and character of Christ, which grows through the Holy Spirit, is noticeably distinct from the life of the world. A believer who resists the gracious working of the Holy Spirit and fails to grow in obedience is chastened in infinite love by his Heavenly Father so the believer may learn obedience (John 14:21; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5; Galatians 5:22–23; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Matthew 22:37–40; 1 John 2:15–17; Hebrews 12:5–14).