Essentials We Believe
(1) God - is the infinite Creator and Almighty Father of the universe and sovereign over it. He has revealed Himself in three personalities as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1-3; Psalm 8:19; Acts 17:22-34; 2 Corinthians 13:13-14; Revelation 1:4-5).
(2) Jesus Christ - is the God/Man, who was fully God and fully man. He is the Son of God who lived a sinless life, died on a cross for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. He offers each of us a potential relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins to all who will make him their personal Lord and Savior (Matthew 16:15-16; John 1:1-5, 12-18; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Colossians 1:15-20).
(3) The Holy Spirit - is the third person in the Godhead, who indwells us and then guides us. No effective ministry or Christian living can be accomplished apart from His empowerment. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 14:16-17, 25-28; 16:7-11; Ephesians 4:3; 5:17-18).
(4) The Bible - is the inerrant, infallible, indestructible Word of God and our comprehensive Guide to successful living out the Christian life (Joshua 1:8-9; Psalm 19:7-12; Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
(5) Humanity - believing we are God's highest created beings on the earth, made in His own image, but also acknowledging that the fall has affected the totality of our nature. Our understanding, emotions, will, body, and even our spirit have all been warped by sin, leaving us in need of God's grace and mercy (Exodus 23:7; Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:10-18; 1 Peter 2:10).
(6) Salvation - believing God's grace - salvation is found only in repentance of our sins toward God and placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Luke 13:3, 5; John 3:16; 4:12; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
(7) Eternal Security - is our belief that salvation is a one-time permanent experience that cannot be lost in this lifetime or in eternity. Those who are truly God's people will persevere unto the end (John 10:28-30; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12)
(8) Eternity - is our belief that God dwells in heaven and in all who accept the gospel of Christ will live there with Him for eternity. Hell exists for those who rebel against God and His message of hope (John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:1-5; Matthew 10:28; Luke 16:19-31).
(9) Prayer - is asking for God's guidance and seeking His will. God moves in response to our personal prayers and those united with others. Nothing great is ever accomplished apart from prayer
(Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 18:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:15 18).
(10) Church - is a local body of baptized believers whose desire is to serve their head, Jesus Christ. Their heart's desire is to evangelize, disciple, and minister to their community and the world in the spirit of unity and purpose. (Matthew 16:17-18; Acts 2:43-47; Ephesians 4:11-16).
(Further information on our theology: http//www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp)
(2) Jesus Christ - is the God/Man, who was fully God and fully man. He is the Son of God who lived a sinless life, died on a cross for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. He offers each of us a potential relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins to all who will make him their personal Lord and Savior (Matthew 16:15-16; John 1:1-5, 12-18; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Colossians 1:15-20).
(3) The Holy Spirit - is the third person in the Godhead, who indwells us and then guides us. No effective ministry or Christian living can be accomplished apart from His empowerment. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 14:16-17, 25-28; 16:7-11; Ephesians 4:3; 5:17-18).
(4) The Bible - is the inerrant, infallible, indestructible Word of God and our comprehensive Guide to successful living out the Christian life (Joshua 1:8-9; Psalm 19:7-12; Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
(5) Humanity - believing we are God's highest created beings on the earth, made in His own image, but also acknowledging that the fall has affected the totality of our nature. Our understanding, emotions, will, body, and even our spirit have all been warped by sin, leaving us in need of God's grace and mercy (Exodus 23:7; Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:10-18; 1 Peter 2:10).
(6) Salvation - believing God's grace - salvation is found only in repentance of our sins toward God and placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Luke 13:3, 5; John 3:16; 4:12; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
(7) Eternal Security - is our belief that salvation is a one-time permanent experience that cannot be lost in this lifetime or in eternity. Those who are truly God's people will persevere unto the end (John 10:28-30; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12)
(8) Eternity - is our belief that God dwells in heaven and in all who accept the gospel of Christ will live there with Him for eternity. Hell exists for those who rebel against God and His message of hope (John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:1-5; Matthew 10:28; Luke 16:19-31).
(9) Prayer - is asking for God's guidance and seeking His will. God moves in response to our personal prayers and those united with others. Nothing great is ever accomplished apart from prayer
(Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 18:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:15 18).
(10) Church - is a local body of baptized believers whose desire is to serve their head, Jesus Christ. Their heart's desire is to evangelize, disciple, and minister to their community and the world in the spirit of unity and purpose. (Matthew 16:17-18; Acts 2:43-47; Ephesians 4:11-16).
(Further information on our theology: http//www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp)
Essentials We Believe
(1) People are extremely important to God and to us
(Luke 15; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9).
(2) The Gospel message transforms people's lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).
(3) Our goal is to see God evangelize and disciple people who in turn desire to see God evangelize and disciple others (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:11-16).
(4) God gave salvation so that we would be His witness (Acts 1:8).
5) Evangelism and ministry must be carried out in relevant ways
(1 Corinthians 9:22).
(6) Every Christian is a minister of Christ and gifted by the Holy Spirit for service (Ephesians 4:12).
(7) Everything we do for Christ must be done with excellence (Colossians 3:23-24).
(8) His church should grow numerically and in the grace and knowledge of Christ (Matthew 9:35- 38; 16:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-4).
(9) Every Christian is to pray and seek God's guidance in all we do. We must make every effort to maintain unity in the essentials
(Psalm 133; John 17:12-22; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 12:1-2).
(10) To accomplish our Mission we must be willing to step out in visionary faith, give of ourselves and our finances, and take risks for God (Malachi 3:10; Hebrews 11:6).