The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament. We believe all Scripture is inspired by God and was given through chosen men; therefore, it speaks with the authority of God and reflects the background, styles, and vocabulary of the human authors. The Scriptures are without error in the original manuscripts. They are the supreme and final authority in faith and life, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning, God created out of nothing the world and all the things therein. By His power and authority, He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.

(Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2)

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death on the cross to provide for our redemption, bodily resurrection and ascension into heaven, present ministry of intercession for us, and His return to earth in power and glory to fulfill the eternal plan of God.

(Isaiah 7:14; Luke 24:50- 52; John 1:1-14; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:6-11; Titus 2:13)

We believe the Holy Spirit was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to impart to mankind the saving work of Christ. He convicts sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength, and wisdom, and He uniquely endows all believers with spiritual gifts for the building up of the body. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father. We believe we should be continually filled by His Holy Spirit.

(John 14:16-17, 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 12:17; Galatians 5:16- 17, 22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18; 1 Peter 4:10)

We believe that man was created in the image of God, for fellowship with God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God.

(Genesis 1:27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12, 3:23, 5:18-19)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His death and resurrection.

(Acts 13:39; Romans 4:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24 1 John 1:7)

We believe that all who receive Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God.

(John 1:12, 3:16, 3:5-7; Romans 8:4, 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26)

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead to eternal life for those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord and to eternal separation from God for those who have not.

(John 5:28-29)

We believe that baptism was ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore every believer should be baptized. We believe that baptism is symbolic of an individual’s identification with Christ as Savior and Lord.

(Matthew 28:18-20)

We believe that the Lord’s Supper serves to remind us in symbolic manner of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.

(Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)

We believe in the one true Church, universal, a living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head, and of which all who have received Christ as Savior and Lord are members. We believe that a visible Church is a local body of believers in Jesus Christ, whose purpose is to gather together for exaltation, evangelism, edification, and education.

(Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25)

We believe that members of the Church should seek to discover and exercise their spiritual gifts in useful forms of ministry.

(Romans 12:3-8)

We believe that the Church is salt and light resulting in a Christ-like influence in the world.

(Matthew 5:13-14)

We believe that the Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This Church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in the areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.

(Romans 14)

We believe this Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. Above all, members should adopt a spirit of cooperation and love and refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in this Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 1 Peter 4:8)

We believe that the Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This Church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in the areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.

(Romans 14)

We believe this Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. Above all, members should adopt a spirit of cooperation and love and refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in this Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 1 Peter 4:8)

All Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion (spiritual birth). Our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit at conversion.

The Holy Spirit is the “power source” for the Christian. The Christian life is impossible to live without “power from on high.”

The Holy Spirit and His power must be “released” in the life of the believer through seeking, yielding, and surrendering to the Spirit’s control. The church through many years has done a poor job of teaching the crucial role the Holy Spirit has in a believer’s life. Therefore, many Christians go through much, possibly all of their life never personally knowing the power of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, it is vital that the church teach the continual release of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life. For many believers, this will result in an initial experience of the Holy Spirit and His power in their life. This experience has been referred to as the “baptism of the Spirit,” “the filling of the Spirit,” “the empowerment of the Spirit,” and “the second blessing.” In an effort to promote unity among diverse religious and theological backgrounds and because of the confusion associated with these terms, we choose to teach the importance of the “release” of the Holy Spirit’s power in a believer’s life.

The release of the Holy Spirit’s power in a believer’s life is not a one-time experience. There must be a daily and ongoing choice/decision to walk in the power of the Spirit. This is a crucial truth that must be taught by the church.

The fruit of the Spirit and the use of the gifts of the Spirit are the primary evidences of the Holy Spirit’s power in a believer’s life. No one fruit, gift, or other manifestation of the Spirit is THE evidence of the release of the Spirit’s power in a believer’s life, although it may be AN evidence.

The purpose of the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts is to glorify Christ and edify the body of Christ. Therefore, the use of any spiritual gift must be founded in love with an intention to “build up” and equip fellow believers in the body of Christ.

As a church, we recognize the responsibility to “equip the saints for the work of service” as Paul instructed in Ephesians 4:11-16. We teach about spiritual gifts on a regular basis, and we continually look for ways to help individuals find the unique work of service or place of ministry that fits their God-given design.

Deliverance is a term that can mean different things to different people. It is a Biblical word that is sometimes translated as pardon, liberty, remission, salvation, health, save, and saving.

Scripture is clear from Genesis to Revelation that there is a conflict between God and Satan, the forces of Good and Evil.

Everything that has occurred, is occurring, and will occur is occurring in the context of that conflict. To be ignorant of this conflict and its effects on our world and in our lives is to be vulnerable to both the subtle influences and the blatant attacks of the enemy.

The church has a clear responsibility to educate believers concerning the necessity and methods of waging spiritual warfare for the purpose of seeing individuals set free to become all that God created them to be. Individuals should be taught in a gentle but truthful manner when, where, and how strongholds develop. They also need an understanding of how demonic forces are allowed to have a manipulating influence in their lives, and how these demonic forces attack individuals.

We believe that no true believer can be possessed by demons because possession implies ownership and true believers have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. We further believe that both true believers and non-believers can be influenced, tempted, and profoundly affected by Satan and his demonic forces.

Christians can:

• Give “place” to the devil: “…nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

• Have strongholds in their lives: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…” 2 Corinthians 10:4

• Be plagued by desires that stem from a childhood bruise on the soul: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the LORD out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22

We resist the mindset that deliverance is a one-time event, and believe rather that it is a process of events that requires the cooperation of the individual needing deliverance.

<sub>“The spirit of the LORD is upon me...to preach deliverance to the captives; and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18 KJV

“...who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10 NASB</sub>

Freedom/Deliverance/Cleansing comes through five keys:

Growth in the truth
_{“Then you will know that truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32}

Ministry of love
<sub>“Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me. For You shall deal bountifully with me.” Psalm 142:7 NKJV

“Love never fails...” 1 Corinthians 13:8

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1</sub>

Ministry of Spirit-filled prayer / Receive anointed prayer
The ministry of intercession and spiritual gifts through the Body of Christ,(discernment, wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, etc...).

Walking in the Spirit
<sub>“do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

“I say then; Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 5.</sub>&nbsp;

The Word of authority
_{“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons.” Mark 16:17}

God has equipped the body of Christ to encourage and facilitate the deliverance process by giving us the knowledge, authority, and necessary gifts to wage victorious spiritual warfare.

We believe that there are a number of steps that lead an individual into freedom:

• Repent of disobedience. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)
• Renounce known ties. (Acts8:18-24)
• Replace the lies formerly believed with truth of God’s word, declaring the triumph of the cross. (Colossians 2:10-14)
• Receive the filling of the Holy Spirit and continually cooperate with His work. (Ephesians 5:18)

Finally, we believe that the life of an individual is unique as are their individual circumstances, therefore, deliverance should always be Spirit led rather than need driven.