The Scriptures

We understand the Old and New Testaments to be the authoritive Words of God recorded and written by men under divine inspiration, for the benefit of the people of God.  We believe the original texts of these sixty-six books, which the Church historically accepted as the Holy Bible, are God-breathed. These Scriptures are truth, written by holy men who were chosen and equipped by God for this special task. We believe the Scriptures, errorless in the original documents, are divine authority in all matters which they address.  For a more detailed explanation of our beliefs about the Scriptures, including all Scripture references, click here.

God

We believe in the one and only true God who is Spirit, and who revealed Himself in history in the person of Jesus Christ.  He is self-existent, infinite, personal, unchangeable, and eternal in His being.  He is perfect in holiness, righteousness, love, justice, goodness, wisdom, and truth.  He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.  He is the creator and sustainer of all things, both visible and invisible. He is both immanent in and transcendent to the creation.  He is triune and exists and reveals Himself as three persons, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We acknowledge that all we know about God is by revelation.  For a more detailed explanation of our beliefs about the persons of God, including full Scripture references, click here.

Mankind

Creation of Mankind

We believe that man was created by an immediate act of God in the image and likeness of God, without sin, in order that he might glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Man was created not because God was lacking in any way, but rather as an expression of God's creativity, love, and glory.

Fall of Mankind

We believe that, after being confronted with a moral choice in the garden, man voluntarily disobeyed God's command, lost his original condition, became physically, morally, intellectually, and spiritually depraved and was alienated from God.  In consequence, the entire human race became guilty before God with the result that each one of us possesses a sinful nature, which in addition to our acts of sin, makes us deserving of the righteous judgment of God.  Therefore, all men are sinners and guilty before God, are dead in their sins, and are unable to save themselves.  For a more detailed explanation of our beliefs about man, including Scripture references, click here.

Salvation

We believe that God must and will punish sin because He is holy and cannot tolerate it.  This punishment must come either to the guilty person or to a satisfactory substitute.  Because it is not God's will that any should perish, He has provided the way of salvation.  Jesus Christ voluntarily offered Himself on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin so that all who believe in Him may be redeemed.  Salvation requires repentance and faith which results in justification, regeneration and sanctification, and culminates in resurrection and glorification.  For a more detailed explanation of what we believe to be the process of salvation, including Scripture references, click here.

The Church

We believe the universal Church is composed of all believers regardless of name, race, nation, or generation.  The local Church, as a part of that body, is composed of a group of believers in Christ who voluntarily join together to live as God's family on God's mission.  We believe the purpose of the Church is to glorify God through worship and faithful participation in its God-given mission: to make disciples for Jesus Christ.  We believe that an ordinance is an outward ceremony symbolic of a spiritual truth or experience which was instituted by Christ for perpetual use by the Church.  It is not a means of salvation but becomes a source of spiritual inspiration and strength as one is obedient to the Lord's command.  We believe that the Christian ordinances are baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Baptism

We believe water baptism symbolizes the experience of regeneration and union with Jesus Christ.  It is a public confession of the believer's identification with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is to be administered to believers only, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  We encourage immersion because this form of baptism clearly symbolizes its spiritual significance.  However, other modes are recognized.  Water baptism does not save or cleanse from sin.  It is the answer of a good conscience toward God.  Because of the scriptural instruction to baptize those who believe, because of the scriptural example that those who believed were baptized, and because of the clear meaning of baptism as indicated above, we recognize only baptism administered after a person has confessed faith in Jesus Christ, and we expect that all believers will be baptized.

The Lord's Supper

We believe the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ on the night of His betrayal and is to be observed by His Church until He returns.  We believe the Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ's death, an expression of fellowship with God and with other believers, a testimony to saving faith, a visible seal of Christ's redemptive covenant, and the assurance of His promised return.  For a more detailed explanation of what we believe about the Church, including our beliefs about believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper, click here

The Final Things

We believe in the personal, visible, and glorious return of Christ.  We believe in the resurrection of the dead and that all men will give an account of their lives before God.  Believers will be resurrected and judged for their works and given rewards at the judgment seat of Christ, the believer's sins having been judged in Christ upon the cross.  The unbeliever will be resurrected and judged to eternal punishment and separation from God. For a more detailed doctrinal statement, please visit our conference (Fellowship of Evangelical Churches) website by clicking here.