Statement of Fundamental Truths
What we believe.

The scriptures inspired. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:2).

The One true God. The One true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM” and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29, Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 11, Matthew 28:19).

Mankind, the fall, and redemption. Mankind was created good and upright, for God said, “Let Us make mankind in our image, after our likeness.” But mankind, by voluntary transgression, fell and his/her only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God (Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-21).

The salvation of mankind and Conditions of Salvation. The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all people, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11, Romans 10:13-15, Luke 24:47, Titus 3:5-7).

  1. Evidence of salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his/her salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all mankind is a life of righteousness and true holiness.
  2. Baptism in water. Baptism is observed by all who have repented and believed in Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while their hearts have already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as in inner cleansing. They declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47, Acts 48, Romans 6:4, Acts 20:21, Hebrews 10:22). Baptism is an outward expression of a changed heart, however, it is not a prerequisite for salvation. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant, as baptizo in the Greek means application with water. We do not baptize infants as a means of salvation, however, we will perform infant dedication should parents desire to do so. Infants and small children may be dedicated to the Lord in the church upon the request of the parents or guardians (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15, 16). We do not recognize Infant baptism as a means of salvation. Salvation is through belief in Christ alone.
  3. Regeneration. All people who turn from their sins and put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ receive a new birth by which their lives are regenerated by the power of God’s Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6, Titus 3:5). From that time forth the regenerated person has God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within them enabling them to live a holy life (1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Peter 1:3-4), and also giving them power to be witnesses for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).
  4. The promise of the Father. All believers are entitled to the promise of the Father and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. With the indwelling Holy Spirit comes a deeper spiritual life and service, the bestowment of gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).

Sanctification. The scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to live a life of righteousness for Christ has deemed us righteous. (Romans 3:21-26). Sanctification (1 Corinthians 16:11) is the will of God for all believers, and should be pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Holy Spirit. Sanctification is experienced in basically three ways:

  1. Instant or positional sanctification. This is what happens to every person who puts their trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are saved through faith in Jesus, we are sanctified in the eyes of God through the blood of the cross. As God the Father looks at us, He sees the holiness of Jesus, which is imputed to us, and does not see our sin (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 14).
  2. Progressive or practical sanctification. This is the process by which we strive to live on a day to day basis by considering ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in holy living through the power of God’s divine nature within our lives (Romans 6; Philippians 2:12, Philippians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:4).
  3. Final sanctification. This is when we are totally set free from the presence of sin within our life after seeing Jesus our Lord and being made like Him because of seeing Him as He really is in all His glory (1 John 3:2).

The church. The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit with divine appointments for the fulfillment of the great commission. (Mark 16:15). Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the church, which is written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23).

The ministry and evangelism. A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the evangelization of the world and the edifying of the body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20, Ephesians 4:11-13).

The blessed hope. The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Titus 2:12, 1 Corinthians 15:51, Romans 8:23).

The millennial reign of Jesus. The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on earth are the scriptural promise and the world’s hope (2 Thessalonians 1:17, Revelation 19:11-14, Romans 11:26, Romans 11:27, Revelation 20:1-7).

The lake of fire. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whoever not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10-15).

The new heavens and the new earth. We, “according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21, Revelation 22).

Creation. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union.

Final Authority. The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our board of directors is the Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.

Women in Leadership. We believe God has chosen to use both men and women in His plan of salvation, and, accordingly, we adhere to the Policy on Women in Ministry and Leadership as found in the Fields of Grace constitution, and commit to act consistently with its principles. Recommended reading: How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership by  Alan F. Johnson, Dallas Willard.

Soli Deo gloria!

"To the glory of God alone"