About Us

God and the Trinity

There is only one true, living God. He is a Person and not a “force”. He has revealed Himself as Yahweh, or Jehovah, which means I AM. God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, our Redeemer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinitely holy, very great, and pure. He cannot lie or do wrong. He is a just judge, yet merciful and loving. God is all-powerful, all-knowing and wise, and never changes. He is eternally existent in three coequal Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three are One in essence and will, yet each has unique characteristics and function.

Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 4:10; Genesis 1:26; Exodus 3:14; Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:1-3; Isaiah 40:25-28; Isaiah 57:15; Habakkuk 1:13; Numbers 23:19-20; Psalm 92:15; Psalm 96:13; Jeremiah 9:24; 1 John 4:8-16; Romans 11:33-36; James 1:17; Luke 3:21-22; Deuteronomy 6:4

God the Father

God the Father reigns over the universe with providential care. He is Spirit, and has revealed Himself as a personal God who wants us to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. He becomes our Father to all who become His children through accepting Jesus Christ.

Psalm 145:9; John 4:24; John 3:16; Romans 8:15; John 1:12

God the Son – Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God. He is the eternal Son of God, and God the Son. He became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin so that He could reveal God to man and redeem mankind from sin.

John 1:1,14; John 8:58; Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 8:3; Philippians 2:5-7; Luke 1:30-35; Matthew 1:20-23; John 1:18; John 17:6; Romans 3:24-26

Christ lived a sinless life on earth and performed many miracles, then voluntarily gave Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all people, and died on the cross. Christ was buried, and three days later was resurrected bodily from the dead and seen by many people over a period of several weeks. He ascended to heaven, where He is sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for those who trust in Him.

Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 4:23-24; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Romans 8:3; Acts 5:30; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; John 20:24-29; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 7:24-25

Jesus Christ will return at an unknown time to claim His Church, who are all those who are believing in Him. He is the only way to the Father, and salvation comes only through Him. His sacrifice satisfied God’s righteous judgment against sin, and only through Him can we be forgiven.

Acts 1:11; Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:9; Colossians 2:13-14

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, coequal with God the Father and God the Son. Scripture describes Him as the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and strength, and of knowledge of the fear (reverence) of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of truth. He is also called the Comforter, the Spirit of grace, the Spirit of life, and the Spirit of adoption. He convicts the world of sin so that we see our need for the Savior.

Matthew 28:19; Isaiah 11:2; Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11; John 14:16-17; Hebrews 10:29; Romans 8:2; Romans 8:15; John 16:8-11

The Holy Spirit lives in every believer. He guides, instructs, and comforts believers, and gives them spiritual gifts and empowers them to live a godly life. His presence in us is our guarantee of salvation.

John 14:16-17; John 16:13-15; John 14:26; Acts 9:31; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13,27-31; Romans 8:13-14; Ephesians 1:13-14

Angels and Satan

Angels were created by God. Only God is present everywhere at all times, but angels, as created beings, are not. They are described in Scripture as spiritual beings that are not limited by the physical world and are not subject to death. They are numerous and have different ranks. “Angel” literally means “messenger”. Scripture teaches that angels work as God’s agents, messengers, and servants. They are sent to help those who inherit salvation. Scripture forbids the worship of angels.

Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:7,14; Acts 12:7-11; Luke 20:34-36; Hebrews 12:22; Jude 9; Mark 13:27; Luke 1:18-20; Psalm 103:20-21; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 19:10

Satan was once an angel with great responsibility. He was called Lucifer, which means “light-bearer”. Scripture records that He desired to become like God and led a third of the angels in rebellion against God. The Bible refers to “fallen angels”, “wicked spirits”, and “demons”. They roam the earth.

Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18; Revelation 9:1, 12:3-4,7-9; 2 Peter 2:4; Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 8:2

Satan has many names and titles that describe his character. Satan means “adversary” and devil means “slanderer”. He is also called Destroyer, Serpent, Tempter, and Prince and god of this world. He opposes God’s work and hinders the gospel. He possesses, deceives, and blinds the eyes of people, and snares the wicked. He afflicts and tempts believers.

1 Peter 5:8; Genesis 3:2-5; Revelation 9:11, 12:9-10; Matthew 4:3; John 12:31, 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Matthew 13:19; Luke 22:3; Revelation 20:7-8; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; Luke 13:10-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:5

Satan is described as being proud, powerful, subtle, deceitful, fierce and cruel. He often poses as an “angel of light”, and his agents often pose as “ministers of righteousness”. Satan initiated the fall of man into sin. Though he is strong, Jesus defeated him at the cross. Believers resist Him using the same means Jesus used: prayer, obedience to God, and speaking God’s Word. Satan’s destiny is eternal punishment in the lake of fire.

1 Timothy 3:6; Ephesians 2:2, 6:11-12; 2 Corinthians 11:3,14-15; Luke 8:29, 9:39,42; 1 Peter 5:6-9; Genesis 3:1-24; Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:13-15; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 14:35-38; Revelation 20:10

Man

Mankind was created in the image of God, and every individual has worth and a unique purpose. God loves every person and desires a personal relationship with each one. Relationship between God and man was broken when the first man and woman chose to disobey their Creator. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Their sin brought spiritual death and separation from God upon themselves and every person born since then. Our relationship with God can only be restored through accepting His remedy for sin: the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Matthew 6:26, 10:29-31, 12:10-13; Jeremiah 1:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12; John 3:16-17; Luke 15:11-32; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-12, 23; Romans 5:12-21, 6:23; Isaiah 59:2; Colossians 1:13-14,19-21

Sin and Forgiveness

Sin is the state of rebellion against God. It is essentially self-will, and is described in Scripture by words such as disobedience, crookedness, evil, lawlessness, and transgression. Sin means missing the mark, doing violence against God’s laws, and going beyond the limits God has established. Wrongdoing committed out of ignorance or thoughtlessness is called error, but it is also sin.

1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 2:4; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; 1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15; Romans 3:23; Genesis 6:11; Romans 4:15; Psalm 19:12

Sin in any form is a serious offense against God. It breaks our line of communication with Him. It results in damaging consequences to the soul. Sin results in guilt in the sight of God and a decree of condemnation. God’s holiness requires that sin be paid for. The penalty for sin is death. It is a debt that no human being can pay. Therefore, the sinner’s only hope is God’s forgiveness and pardon.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Isaiah 59:2; Genesis 4:7; John 3:18-19; Revelation 15:4; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:10,23-25

Only through forgiveness can relationship with God be restored. Scripture teaches that God is ready to forgive, and that He sent His own Son Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins.

Romans 5:8-11; Psalm 86:5; John 3:16; Isaiah 53:3-6

Salvation

Salvation is a gift of God’s grace. It cannot be earned by being religious or by doing good works. It is granted only to those who see their need for a Savior and put their faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:10,23; John 3:15-19; Acts 20:21

Salvation is forgiveness of sins and it is the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. He alone is the Savior and hope of the world. Christ did what no human could do: He paid the penalty and took the punishment for our sins by bearing them on the cross. Three days later He resurrected from the dead, proving that He is God. His atoning sacrifice for us was real, and through Him we can truly receive forgiveness.

Acts 2:38; Romans 6:23; Acts 4:12; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 8:3; Acts 5:30; John 20:24-29; Romans 1:4; 1 John 4:10; Colossians 2:13-14

All who trust Christ are justified. They are made righteous and declared “not guilty” by God. They are born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and become a child of God and a member of His family. They are sanctified, separated and dedicated to a new life serving God.

Romans 3:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 5:24; John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5; John 1:12; Ephesians 2:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Romans 6:1-7

Those who desire to accept Christ should repent of their sin, turn to the Lord, and confess their faith in Him. The New Testament practice of baptism by immersion as soon as one turns to Christ is an essential part of claiming salvation.

Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9-10; Mark 1:9-10

The Church

The Church is composed of all true believers in Christ, who are placed in the Church by the Holy Spirit at the moment they accept Christ. The Lord is the Head and the believers are the body. All parts of the body work together to honor God.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23,4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 10:31

The Church is expressed worldwide as individual local congregations, which are communities of believers serving Christ together. Local churches gather together in Christ’s Name for the teaching of Bible doctrine, prayer, the Lord’s Supper, and fellowship. They exist to reach out to a lost and dying world with the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to build up and encourage those within the church.

Romans 16:4-5; Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42; Mark 16:15-16; Hebrews 10:23-25

Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

There are two Christian ordinances that should be observed by the Church: Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Water baptism alone does not bring salvation, but it is an essential part of claiming that salvation. Genuine repentance is what brings forgiveness of sins. Then, as an act of obedience, a new believer is to identify with Christ in baptism. The New Testament practice is baptism by immersion as soon as one turns to Christ. It signifies that the believer, having died with Christ, is buried with Him in baptism and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.

Matthew 28:18-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Romans 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Acts 20:21; Romans 6:3-7; Acts 8:36-38

The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance feast instituted by Jesus Christ for His followers, to show His death until He comes again. The sharing of the bread which represents His broken body and the wine which represents His shed blood causes us to remember His work on the cross for us. Believers should be careful to examine themselves for unconfessed sin before they partake of the Lord’s Supper. Regular participation in the Lord’s Supper helps a believer maintain a close relationship with Christ and with fellow believers.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Acts 2:42-44

Life After Death

Every person has a soul which continues to live on after the death of the body. How a person responded to Jesus Christ is the decisive factor in what happens to that person after death. Those who are saved, who have placed their faith in Christ, will be resurrected to everlasting joy and eternal life, to live forever with God. Those who are unsaved, who have maintained their rebellion against God and rejected His remedy for sin, will be resurrected to a final judgment and everlasting, conscious torment.

Luke 16:19-31; John 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-10; Romans 10:9-10; John 5:28-29; Isaiah 35:10; John 5:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21:8; Romans 2:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 20:12-15; Matthew 25:41-46; Luke 16:23-24

Christ’s Return and Heaven – The Believers’ Blessed Hope

Jesus Christ is returning soon, at an unknown time, to claim His Church. All who have trusted Christ will rise to be with Him forever. Each will receive a new glorified spiritual body and be changed to be like Christ. God will personally wipe away the tears of His people. Believers will spend eternity with God on a beautiful new earth where there will be no more pain or sorrow, no sin, darkness, death, or fear. Only love, peace and joy.

Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 22:7,10,12,20; Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 21:1-5; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:25, 22:3; 1 John 4:7-8; Revelation 14:13; Psalm 16:11

This “Blessed Hope” motivates believers to live a holy life in service to God and man. It also gives them strength and endurance to go through trials as they remember that everything in this earthly life is temporary and passing away.

Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2-3; Hebrews 6:9-12; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; 2 Peter 3:10