What do we believe about the Bible?

We believe the Old and New Testaments, in their original languages, are the divinely inspired revelation of God and His purpose to all mankind. In the words of the Bible itself, "... men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (II Peter 1:21 NASB).  We accept the Bible as our all-sufficient rule for faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:15-17).

What do we believe about God?

We believe in God revealed in the Bible and Creation.  He has always existed and always will.  He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  Of course we can't explain the mystery of God, but we accept as fact the revelation of His existence (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29).

What do we believe about Jesus Christ?

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became man in order to put God's great plan for humanity into effect (John 17:5, Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2).

What do we believe about Man and his needs?

We believe man was created good and upright, in fact, in the image of God. But by choosing to disregard and disobey God's command, man cut off his close relationship with the Creator and introduced suffering and death into humanity (Genesis 1:26, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).

What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?

Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe the Holy Spirit touches the lives of individuals in many ways, comforting the Christian and bearing witness to God's work in the world. It is the Spirit working within that brings salvation to the person who comes to God in faith.

In addition, all Christians may also be filled with the Spirit in an experience different from and following salvation. Called the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit," it is a special infusion of God's power to better enable the believer to spread the gospel and to live the full, faithful life God has promised and expects. The Scriptures reveal this as the normal experience for Christians and teach that every believer should earnestly seek and expect this baptism. The first physical evidence is often speaking in an unknown language (Acts 1:5, 2:4, 2:29, 5:32, 19:1-7).

Of course, the final evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the live of the Christian. It leads to a deeper reverence for God, a growing sensitivity in worship, and an intensified dedication to Christ's work. It also opens the door for special ministering gifts of the Spirit (Acts 4:31-33; I Corinthians 12, 13, and 14).

What ordinances do we practice?

We generally observe Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, on the first Sunday of the month. This is an open communion in which all believers are invited to take part (I Corinthians 11:23-33).

We also practice water baptism by immersion as a believer's public declaration of his identification with Jesus Christ and of his new relationship with God through faith (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4).

We do not baptize infants, but we encourage parents to dedicate their children to the Lord in a public worship service.

What do we believe about Healing?

We believe healing is an integral part of the good news God has for the world and that God heals sickness today as in Bible times, on the basis of the suffering and death of His Son (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17).

We do not pretend to understand everything about healing, but the Scriptures are clear. When one is sick, he may pray in expectation of healing (James 5:13-16).

What do we believe about the End Times?

We believe God will intervene in human affairs to bring history to a climax and usher in a better world, even though there is little to prompt optimism from a human point of view.

This will include judgment upon a corrupt world system, including unscriptural religious structures, in a period termed the "Great Tribulation." True believers will escape this time of trouble through what is called the "rapture of the Church," the catching away of both living and resurrected Christians to meet Christ and to be with Him forever (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13).

We believe there will be a final judgment for the wicked of all ages (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15).

What do we believe about Church Government?

Our church is held accountable spiritually and operationally by a board of deacons elected annually by the church membership. In addition, our financial record undergo an extensive audit each year by a qualified accounting firm.

Obviously, these brief comments can't answer all your questions about us. If you would like more information and a complete copy of our Statement of Fundamental Truths, please contact the church office at (402) 291-0616.

On-line scripture lookup courtesy of the Bible Gateway.