Core Beliefs.
There are beliefs that we hold that are essential to who we are as Christians.
God
We believe there is one true and living God who is the creator and sustainer of all life. God is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is over all, through all, and in all.
Genesis 1, John 1, John 14
Bible
The Bible tells the God-breathed story of God’s relationship with people since the beginning of time. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s story informs and transforms God’s people, shaping them into God’s image for God’s service.
Psalm 119, 2 Timothy 3
People
God created people with the desire to live in intimate relationship with them. When we sin we sever that relationship with God. In spite of our sins, God has chosen to pursue this relationship. This loving pursuit ultimately led to the gift of God’s one and only Son, Jesus.
Genesis 3, Ephesians 1, John 3
Salvation
Because we are helpless to heal our broken relationship, God graciously restores relationship with people through the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ. God calls people to respond to God’s grace through faith, initially expressed in confession, repentance, and baptism. God restores the relationship, forgiving sin and filling us with God’s Holy Spirit. We respond with a life of worship while looking forward to enjoying eternity in God’s presence in heaven.
Isaiah 40, Romans, Ephesians 2, Revelation 21-22
Church
The church is a community of imperfect people saved by God’s grace and shaped by God’s Spirit to reflect Jesus to the world. The church is the body of Christ. Each Christ-follower is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to take on his or her role in God’s unfolding story. The church is God’s family called to live in unity, bearing burdens and sharing joys, while eagerly awaiting the return of Christ.
Isaiah 2, Colossians 1, 1 John
Discipleship
God’s story continues among us as we become apprentices of Jesus by imitating God’s life of love and inviting others to join us on our journey with God. Along this journey, God shapes us as the Holy Spirit bears fruit in our lives. Prayer, as a part of discipleship, is more about coming in line with God’s will than about God’s blessing of our endeavors.
Matthew 5-7