CORE BELIEFS

We believe:

God | The only true God is the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one divine being (the Holy Trinity).

The Bible | The Bible is the only final authority for Christian faith and life. The Bible is the "Holy Scripture" because God the Holy Spirit gave to His chosen writers the thoughts they expressed and the words that they wrote. Therefore, the Bible is God's own Word and truth, without error. We further believe Jesus Christ is the heart and center of the Scripture and therefore the key to its true meaning.

Humanity | God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, in the image of God. This image was lost when they disobeyed God and fell into sin. Sin has brought guilt and condemnation to all people.

Jesus Christ | Jesus Christ-both true man and true God-redeemed all people through His life, death and resurrection. He is our only Savior from sin, death, and the devil. The good news of our salvation in Jesus Christ is called "the Gospel."

Conversion | All people are, by nature, spiritually blind and dead and therefore cannot by their own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ as Lord or come to Him. Instead, the Holy Spirit calls us to faith by the Gospel. God the Holy Spirit earnestly wants to convert all people and bring them to salvation. However, many reject the Word and resist the Holy Spirit and therefore they remain in unbelief and under God's judgment by their own fault.

The Christian Life | The Holy Spirit, by faith, works a renewal of our whole life-in spirit, will, attitude, and desires-so that we now strive to overcome sin and do good works.

The Church | There is only one church, made up of all those who believe in Christ. Because faith, which makes people members of the church, is invisible, the church is invisible to human eyes. However, members of the invisible church should be faithful to a local, visible gathering of believers. Our duty is to maintain and extend God's church by telling others about Jesus Christ, by personal service, and by prayer and financial support.

Baptism | Baptism is a sacrament in which God receives us into fellowship with Himself. Those who can receive instruction are to be baptized after they have been instructed in the main articles of the Christian faith. Little children-including babies-are to be baptized when they are brought to Baptism by those who have authority over them.

The Lord's Supper | The Lord's Supper is a sacrament in which Christ gives us His own true body and blood with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins.

End Times | Christ will return visibly and with great glory on the Last Day to judge the world and make everything new.