Mission & Beliefs

We believe the Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, is verbally inspired of God, is inerrant in the original writings, and is the Christian’s final authority in faith and conduct.

– 2 Timothy 3:16

We believe that salvation from the guilt and condemnation of sin is possible only as the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained by good resolutions, sincere efforts, nor submission to the rules, regulations, or ordinances of any church, but is freely bestowed on all who put their faith in Christ and trust in the work that Christ accomplished on the cross of Calvary. All who so trust the Savior pass from death unto life, are forgiven of their sins, accepted by the Father, and born into His family by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.

- John 5:24, Ephesians 1:6-7, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23

We believe that all the saved, those in whom God has accomplished His transforming work of grace, are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation. However, this assurance must not be the occasion for sin, for God in His holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in infinite love He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life.

– John 10:27-29, Romans 8:19-39, 1 John 5:13, Hebrews 12:6, Matthew 7:20, James 2:20

We believe that we are called with a holy calling to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. The flesh (our natural desire), which in this life is never fully eradicated, must be kept by the Spirit (through our walk of faith), constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives, to the dishonor of our Lord.

– Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 5:16

We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the church, when soul and glorified body, reunited, will be associated with Him forever in glory. We believe that unbelievers will be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.

– John 3:15-16, Hebrews 9:28, Matthew 25:41-46

The Trinity:

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

- Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 6:8

Jesus Christ:

We believe by miracle of the virgin birth that the Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God in order to reveal God and to redeem man. He is the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and arose bodily from the dead for our justification. He is now exalted at the right hand of God, Head of the Church and Lord of the individual believer, fulfilling His ministry as our Great High Priest and Advocate.

- Matthew 1:18-23, John 1:1-3

Holy Spirit:

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of sin, regenerates and converts sinners, and baptizes them into the church, which is the body of Christ. We believe that He indwells, guides, instructs and empowers the believer for godly living and service, and that He seals and keeps him until the Lord comes. We believe that He bestows spiritual gifts upon each one. We believe that the believer has received one or more spiritual gifts so that he might exercise them for the strengthening and outreach of the body of Christ. The practice of any gift in any gathered body shall be in keeping with the Scripture.

- John 14:16-17, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 12:7

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that he sinned, incurring not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God and which is inherited by every member of Adam’s race. We believe that man is subject to the power of the devil and has within himself no possible means of recovery or salvation.

– Genesis 1:26, 1 John 1:8-10, Romans 6:23

We believe that the true church is composed of all who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, that those who are members of the true church will be eligible for membership in the local church. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are to be observed by the church during the present age. Baptism and the Lords’ Supper are acts of obedience to the Lord. Participation in them, though, is not to be regarded in any sense as a means of salvation.

– Acts 2

We believe that baptism is a sign of the covenant of God's grace given to those who confess faith in Christ. Baptism is a picture of a greater spiritual reality: For as truly as water washes dirt from the body, so too does the blood of Christ cleanse us from our sin. While baptism is important in the life of a believer, it does not gain one’s salvation.

As a non-denominational church, we believe in honoring both biblical practices of baby baptism and dedication. It is our desire to set our children apart for the Lord, trusting and looking forward to the day when they will confess Jesus as Lord. For more information, see the OCC position paper on baptism. If you're a parent looking to baptize or dedicate your child, please see the Primer for Parents.

– Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38-39, Romans 6:4-7, Ephesians 2:8-9