The Bible
We believe that the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) are fully inspired by God: i.e., God directed the human authors, while using their unique personalities to compose and register, exempt of error, His revelation in the words of the original manuscripts. Therefore, being infallible, the Bible is the believer's supreme and final authority. (Matthew 5:17-18, 24:35; John 10:35, 17:17; 2Timothy 3:16-17; 2Peter 1:20-21)
The Nature of God
We believe that there is only one God, infinite and personal, creator of all that exists, all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, all-wise, all-present, unchangeable, holy, just, and merciful. This one God exists eternally in the form of three person: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this we recognize diversity in unity and unity in diversity - three persons yet only one essence. (Genesis 1:1-2, 27; Psalm 139; Isaiah 9:6, 48:16; Matthew 28:19; 2Corinthians 13:14; James 1:17)
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is eternally the only Begotten Son of God. Being God Himself, He is of the same essence, power, and glory of the Father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary and possesses two natures: divine and human. As truly God-man, He is as much an example to be followed in His humanity as He is God to be worshipped in His deity. In His atoning death on the cross, Jesus Christ died in our place, being fully human, being fully God, His death has infinite value to all those who believe on Him. We believe also in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was seen by more than five hundred persons following His resurrection. He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father, having become our intercessor and advocate. (Luke 1:35; John 1:1-4, 14, 18, 10:30, 20:28; Acts 2:30-33; 1Corinthians 5:1-5; Hebrews 1-2; 1John 2:1)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the person of the Holy Spirit is of the same essence, power, and glory of the Father and of the Son, and that, being God, He carries out the will of God on the earth. The Holy Spirit was active in the creation of the universe and the inspiration of the Bible. He convicts the conscience of a person and testifies of divine truth. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit baptizes every Christian into the Body of Christ. He also indwells, seals, guides, teaches, and distributes spiritual gifts to every believer. We believe that sign gifts are not normative for today. All the work of the Holy Spirit exalts the person of Jesus Christ. (John 3:8, 14:16-17, 26, 16:7-11; Acts 5:3-4; 1Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18; Titus 3:5)
We believe that forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with the Creator constitutes the free gift of God. Salvation is obtained only by faith in Jesus Christ as God and as our personal substitute for the punishment of all our sins. We believe that Christ died for the sins of every person, satisfying the holy wrath of God against sin and reconciling the world to Himself. This salvation is obtained only through each individual’s faith in the Savior. The rejection of the free gift of salvation in Christ places the person permanently under the wrath of God. Being saved through faith in Jesus Christ, we are redeemed, justified, reconciled to God, received into God’s family as His children, and have inherited eternal life, which can never be lost. (Mark 10:45; John 3:14-18, 36, 20:31; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:24-26; 2Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 1:3-14; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 9:14 - 10:14; 1John 2:2; Romans 5:9)
We believe that every person was created in the image of God, i.e. moral, intellectual, and volitional (possessing a will). Adam and Eve were historic persons, created without defect by a miraculous act, and are the parents of all humankind. Because of this, all human beings possess the same original mother and father and are equal in the eyes of God. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-24, 3:20; Deuteronomy 10:17; Luke 3:38; James 3:9)
We believe that through the disobedience of Adam, sin entered the human race making all persons sinners, in a state of hostility against God. We are incapable of pleasing God or deserving in any way His salvation. The fundamental rebellion of all humankind against the Creator will also Manifest itself in all areas of human existence. (Genesis 3:1-17; Romans 1:18 - 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-5, 4:17-19; Titus 3:3)
We believe in the reality of the supernatural world, including good angels who minister to God and His saints. We believe also in the reality of Satan and his evil angels who, in the exercise of their free-will, rebelled against the Creator and now dominate the world, acting in an organized way against God and His elect. These demons, with their leader, Satan, will be punished in the lake of fire forever. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; John 14:30; 2Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9-10, 20:1-10)
We believe that those who are born again of the Spirit of of God are equipped with everything that is necessary to please God and to walk victoriously over sin. This victorious life is provided through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the Word of God and submission to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Christian life calls us to a holy lifestyle, which includes The development of a personal devotional life, a love for our neighbor, the Practice of good works, the exercise of our spiritual gifts, and our positive participation in the spiritual warfare. We recognize, however, that there is liberty in the New Testament concerning Christian conduct, knowing that God deals with each of His children in an individual and special way. (Romans 6:3-11, 14:1-13; 1Corinthians 10:23-33; Galatians 2:20, 5:18-28; 1Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; Colossians 2:10)
We believe in the universal church, which began at Pentecost. The church is the body and bride of Jesus Christ, consisting of all those who have been baptized into the body by the Spirit of God. This church is seen throughout the world in the form of local churches, groups of people who confess their faith in Jesus Christ, and are baptized and are organized collectively to do the will of God. The New Testament church, which is led by qualified elders, emphasizes worship, teaching, fellowship, and evangelism. We observe two ordinances: believers baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; 1Corinthians 1:1-2, 11:23-31; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; 1Timothy 3:1-12; Titus 1:5-9)
We believe in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth to rapture His church, to establish His millennial reign, and finally to rule and reign for all eternity. We believe also in the physical resurrection of all the dead. After their resurrection, the saved will enter into eternal life with God. The lost will be judged according to their works, resulting in eternal separation from God, being perpetually condemned to the lake of fire. (Matthew 25:31-46; 2Corinthians 5:10; 2Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:7-9, 20:1-15, 22:1-5)
We believe that all those who have never accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ are lost, and that we, the Church of Jesus Christ, have the solemn mission to preach the gospel of Christ to every person in every place. We believe that the work of world-wide evangelization will be completed only by the missionary endeavor of planting local churches in every ethnic group in the whole earth. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8, 13:1-4; Romans 10:13-15)
