Non-essential beliefs are not foundational to the Christian faith or to the status of one’s relationship with God. These beliefs are often open to interpretation and may be regarded differently by specific movements, churches or people. However, essential beliefs are the foundational principles that supply the framework of life and meaning for the Christian faith. These truths are not to be tampered with, altered, removed, or compromised. They are the non-negotiables of our faith. In keeping with this understanding, we hold the following to be essential beliefs:

We believe there is only one true God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that He is loving and does not desire anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance and have abundant life, both in the life now and to come.

Deuteronomy 32:39; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten, not created, the Son of God, truly God, truly Man, coequal with God. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and offered himself a living sacrifice for the sins of the world by dying on the cross. He was resurrected to demonstrate His power over sin and death, ascended to heaven, and will return again someday to earth to reign as King.

Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-15; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11

We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christ-follower. The Holy Spirit helps to conform us to the example Jesus Christ set with guidance in doing what is right, understanding the truth, and the power to live rightly.

Acts 1:8, 8:14-17, 10:44-48; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 12:13; Romans 8:16-17, 11:29; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

We believe the church is the Body of Christ, the dwelling of God through the Spirit, the possessor of God’s authority to communicate truth and salvation to the world and the Bride of Christ for which he will return. The presence of the Holy Spirit, adherence to the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship of the believers, preaching of the Word of truth and administration of the sacraments are signs of the authentic church.

Acts 2:41-44; Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23

We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Bible, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained in Scripture is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.

Luke 24:44–47; John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Peter 1:10–12; 2 Peter 1:20–21

We believe that the gift of God is salvation, and to take part in it we must accept that gift. Forgiveness of sin cannot be achieved by good works or self-improvement but is only available by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When a person confesses sin and repents in faith, they experience a spiritual rebirth and are given everlasting life.

Romans 5:1, 6:23, 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:2, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26

We believe that sanctification is the work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. It is a gift of God’s grace through the Holy Spirit in salvation, entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification.

Matthew 5:1–7:29; John 15:1–11; Romans 12:1–15:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17–5:20;Philippians 1:9–11, 3:12–15; Colossians 2:20–3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:7–8, 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19–22;Hebrews 10:19–25, 12:14, 13:20–21; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 2 Peter 1:1–11, 3:18; Jude 20–21

We believe there is life after physical death, and that we will be held accountable and judged by God; and that we will exist eternally with Him through our forgiveness and salvation, or will be separated from Him because of our sin. Heaven is an eternal joining with God, while Hell is to be eternally separated from Him.

John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament signifying faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. It is to be administered to believers indicating their full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness. Though immersion is preferred, we understand that there are times that immersion is not possible and therefore believe that baptism by the pouring of water on a believer is acceptable as well.

Matthew 3:1–7, 28:16–20; Acts 2:37–41, 8:35–39, 10:44–48, 16:29–34, 19:1–6; Romans 6:3–4;Galatians 3:26–28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:18–22

We believe the Lord's Supper, or Communion, is declarative of Jesus' sacrificial death, by which believers have life, salvation and promise of all spiritual blessings in Christ. It is specifically for those who are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it they represent the Lord’s death till He comes again.

Exodus 12:1–14; Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:17–20; John 6:28–58; 1 Corinthians 10:14–21, 11:23–32