Sample Church

We believe:

• that the Bible is the Word of God. Consequently, all of its content is absolutely true and in its original manuscript is without error. We believe that the Bible must be read and studied in order to understand its meaning, allowing Scripture to interpret itself through other related Scripture passages. References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 10:35
• in a Triune God who is described in the Bible as the one, true God who has revealed Himself as God the Father (the creator of all), Son (our savior and redeemer), and Holy Spirit (our sanctifier). References: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 5:23; 1 John 2:23; Genesis 1:1; 1 John 2:1,2; Romans 15:13
• that humanity was created by God to be holy and to have eternal life. However, by his free will, man chose to break his communion with God and fall into sin, bringing death as a punishment to this world. We teach that man cannot, by his own efforts, free himself from the chains of death and hell. References: Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Chap 3; Psalm 14:3; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 64:6; Psalm 143:2; 1 Corinthians 2:14
• that the Law of God teaches us what God desires from us, which is perfection of heart, thought, word, and deed. Because of humanity's disobedience in the garden of Eden (Genesis 1), the Law has pointed out our separation from God. As a result, we are unable to fulfill His Law. References: Matthew 5:48; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 3:20
• that every thought, word, and deed that is contrary to God's Law is sin. Every human being is a sinner at conception and all the evil in the world is a result of humanity's sin. References: 1 John 3:4; John 3:6; Genesis 8:21; Romans 5:12; Psalm 5:4
• that the Gospel message tells us that, despite our sin, God has loved us and sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the price of our sin and to set us free from death and Satan. References: Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4; Luke 4:18,19; John 3:16; Romans 3:21-24; 1:16
• that the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and equal to God the Father. Jesus was conceived of a virgin servant girl named Mary. He became a man in order that He might redeem the world by satisfying the demands of the divine Law for all people by keeping God's Commandments in our place and then bearing the punishment of all the world's sin by suffering, dying, and then rising from the dead. It is written in the Bible that he will come again at the world's end to judge righteous and the damned. References: John 5:20, 23; 10:30; 14:9; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:22; Galatians 4:4, 5; 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1,2; Romans 4:25; John 14:19; Acts 1:11; 10:42
• that repentance is acknowledgment of sin and sincere regret for it. We appeal to God for forgiveness in Christ's name, knowing that there is nothing we can do to be saved and yet every truly repentant sinner is assured of God's free and full forgiveness. References: Isaiah 55:6,7; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 18:13, 14; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:10
• that conversion is not a mere changing of habits, but a change of heart, a genuine spiritual rebirth that is brought about by the power of God working through the Word of God; and that it takes place in and through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. References: Joel 2:13; Ezekiel 1:19; Jeremiah 31:18; John 1:12, 13; Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:1
• that faith is a penitent sinner's dependence on Jesus Christ as his real and only Savior, fully depending on Christ's merits for forgiveness of sins and salvation. Faith is not a personal achievement or an act of human merit, but a work of the Holy Spirit. References: John 1:12, 16; Acts 10:43; Galatians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 1:5; Acts 16:31; Matthew 24:13; John 3:36
• that we are now justified, cloaked in in the robe of righteousness provided by Jesus' death and resurrection. Faith in Jesus makes us just before the Law of God because Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly through his life, death, and resurrection. References: 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 5:18,19; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:22-24, 28; Ephesians 2:8
• that we are now sanctified in our faith, meaning that holiness of life and conduct follows conversion and that it is the fruit and outcome of faith; that all true Christians must be, and are, active in good works; and that through such sanctification is progressive perfection that will not be attained until we enter eternal life. References: John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:6, 25; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 1:15; Romans 7:15-25; Philippians 3:12-14
• that Baptism is a divinely instituted washing of regeneration, intended for young and old without exception. It may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion; and that by it all who in faith receive this sacrament are given the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life. References: Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:5; Mark 10:14; Acts 16:15; Hebrews 10:22; Acts 22:16; 2:38; Mark 16:16
• that The Lord's Supper is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, truly present in and with the bread and the wine in the sacrament of Holy Communion. This sacrament is received by the penitent believing Christian for the strengthening of their faith and their growth in godliness. As taught in the Bible, this sacrament is reserved only to those who have professed their Christian faith. References: Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:26-29; Matthew 7:6
• that prayer is a Christian's communion with God. As commanded, it should be regularly practiced by all Christians for their own benefit and for the benefit of others and, if made in faith and through God's will, promises gracious acceptance and ready answer. References: Psalm 19:14; Matthew 7:7, 8; Psalm 50:15; 1 Timothy 2:1, 8; 1 John 5:14; Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 21:22
• that there is a great host of evil spirits lead by Lucifer (Satan), bitter enemies of God and His church, who are condemned to hell; and that the Last Day all those who have died without faith in Christ will be confined with Satan to experience eternal torment and doom in hell. References: Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; Jude 6; Matthew 25:41; Isaiah 66:24
• that the body, separated in death from the soul, will be raised on the Last Day and reunited. All people will be judged by God: those who believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and thus are cloaked in the robe of righteousness that only Jesus' death on the cross could provide, will be given eternal life in heaven, while those who do not believe will be sent into eternal condemnation. References: John 5:28, 29; Matthew 25:31-46

We recognize and adhere to the ancient creeds of the early Christian church. A creed is simply a statement of what one believes. Every professing Christian has a creed, whether by admission or not. A true creed is not an addition to the Bible, but only a necessary statement of the truth against those who misuse the Bible for the support of their false teachings and to resist the additions of errors to the teachings of the church. References: 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 10:32