Core Beliefs
Rupertus Meldenius, seventeenth-century theologian, wrote, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” There will always be peripheral doctrines upon which Biblically rooted and committed Christ followers disagree, and we welcome dialogue on many issues related to Christian doctrine. At the same time, we recognize the importance of having a framework around which we grow in maturity and relate to one another as a community of believers, and we hold the following essentials to be at the core of who we are and what we believe:

About God
We believe in one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16- 17, 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is infinite, which does not always make sense to our finite understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). He is not limited by time or space. He is creator (Genesis 1:1), eternal (Revelation 22:13), all- knowing (Psalm 147:4-5, Hebrews 4:13), ever-present (Psalm 139:7-10), and all- powerful (Revelation 1:8). His character is multi-dimensional but no facet of His character diminishes another. In other words, His grace and wrath, mercy and justice, love and jealousy all work together for good (Psalm 145:8-9).

About Jesus
Jesus is the eternal Son of God (Matthew 3:16-17). He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1, Luke 1:34), lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15), worked miracles (Acts 10:38) and gave us an example to follow (Matthew 16:24, John 13:15). Fully God (John 1:14, Colossians 2:9) and fully man (John 1:14, 1 John 1:1), He died on a cross to pay the penalty for sin that separated us from God and rose from the dead to reconcile us to our Creator and to free us to have a new life in Him (John 3:16, John 10:10). Now, He sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us (Romans 8:34).

About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit works to draw people into a relationship with Jesus and then is given to every follower of Jesus to guide, comfort, convict, and adopt us into the family of God (John 4:16-18, Romans 8:14-16). He helps us grow into Christ-likeness by producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and He gives us spiritual gifts to empower us to meet the needs of God’s people and a hurting world (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:4-8). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct from and subsequent to the new birth, evidenced by increased consecration to God, empowerment for His work, and an initial physical sign of speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6).

About the Bible
Comprised of 66 books authored over thousands of years by dozens of authors, the Bible tells one seamless story: a loving God on a relentless pursuit to redeem His creation. The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God: infallible, trustworthy and reliable for telling us what to believe and how to live (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

About Salvation
People were created in the image of God to have community with Him and represent Him on earth (Genesis 1:27). However, through a willful act of disobedience, we were separated from Him (Romans 3:23). The Father sent Jesus to redeem us through an act of atonement which culminated with Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead (Romans 5:8-10). This gave us the opportunity to trade our sin for His righteousness through faith (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:23). Jesus’ sacrifice is the only means for our salvation and reconciliation with the Father (John 14:6).

About the Church
The Church is the Body of Christ and Jesus is the head of the Body (Ephesians 4:4-6). The Church is not a building or an event but the community of individuals who have put their trust in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). The purpose of the Church is to glorify God, make disciples, make Jesus known to a lost world, and meet the needs of those in our communities and around the world (Matthew 28:19-20). We celebrate baptism as a step of obedience in following Christ, to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection and make a public declaration of faith (Colossians 2:12). We also celebrate communion as an ongoing remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross (Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

About Following Christ
Entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ gives believers access to every benefit and blessing purchased by Christ’s atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection. We are forgiven of sin (Ephesians 1:7), declared right before God (Romans 5:1), and given eternal life with Him (John 3:16). The Holy Spirit is given to assure us of our salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22), adopt us into God’s family (Romans 8:15-16), and to live in us and empower us for a life of following Jesus (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit sovereignly gives gifts to believers for the sake of the body of Christ, and produces fruit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control (Galatians 5:22-23). This process of transformation continues throughout our faith journey as we reflect Jesus’ character more (Philippians 2:12-13, John 15:1-27).

About the Future
In the end of all things, Jesus will reign eternally (Revelation 11:15, Hebrews 1:8). He will judge His creation according to the character that has been revealed to us through His word with justice and mercy (Revelation 10:11-15, Psalm 9:8). Those who have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ will enjoy His presence forever and live in perfect newness with no pain, hurt, suffering, or brokenness in relationships; those who have not will be separated from God for eternity (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).