Mankind: People are made in the spiritual image of God and called to be disciples showing God’s love to a broken world. We are the supreme object of God’s creation, created to exist forever. We are all marred by a nature of disobedience toward God called sin. Sin separates us from God. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in salvation with God through faith, repentance and forgiveness. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.  Genesis 1:27; Psalms 83:6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2; John 3:15-16; John 2:25; Romans 6:23; 2 Peter 1:11; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:41, 46.

 

The Bible: The Bible is God’s inerrant Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. The Holy Spirit speaks to mankind through the Word. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.  2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Psalms 12:6, 119:105, 160; 1 Corinthians 2:13

 

The Church: Jesus Christ started His church as a means for discipleship to share the gospel to everyone and believers to be encouraged and edified. The Church exists as the Body of Christ. Church attendance and participation is necessary for the believer’s growth in Christ to fulfill his or her divine purpose with the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus invites us to come and receive his Word and Sacraments.   Matt. 4:18-22; Matt. 16:18; Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 1:14-20; John 1:35-51; Eph. 3:21 Acts 8:12, 38; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 17-20, 26; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 2:5,9

 

Baptism: God uses ordinary means to impart His grace to mankind. Holy Baptism is a sacrament of God where we are invited to become part of His family. Baptized people, even babies, receive the Holy Spirit through water and Word. Baptism is a work of God’s covenantal promise of forgiveness.  Baptism is important because Jesus commanded the Church to practice it. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the

name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

 

Communion: In communion, the bread and wine aren’t just symbols of Jesus Christ’s body and blood. Jesus is actually and miraculously in them. And that makes communion the focus of worship where we receive the forgiveness of sin won on our behalf through Jesus’s death and resurrection. We experience supernatural forgiveness and unity in Christ when we join Him in communion. Jesus’ promised “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

 

We believe these truths regarding the Sacrament of Holy Communion:

1. We believe we are sinners, in need of forgiveness through the sacrament.

2. We believe and trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior from sin, death and the power of the devil.

3. We believe Christ’s true body and blood are present in the sacrament, in with and under the bread and wine. We believe we receive the assurance of forgiveness of sin.

4. We promise to amend and change our sinful lives with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

Salvation:  Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Man can never make amends for the sin of our human condition. We cannot earn or reason our way to salvation, and we do not cooperate in our own salvation. Only through faith in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Christ alone bestows righteousness on those who put their faith in Him alone.  Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:20- 22, 24-26; Luke 24:47; Acts 16:30-32; Ephesians 1:9-12, 2:4-6; John 10:24- 30; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 5:1; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 13:5