WE UPHOLD:

The Scriptures are God-breathed and the final authority in all matters.  Through them, God reveals Himself to be the living and true God, Creator of all things.  God mysteriously exists as a Trinity of persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  God made man in His image and existed with him in communion until the fall in the Garden of Eden, when man sinned.  Subsequently, that relationship was broken, and man’s inherent nature is rebellious toward his Creator.  The result of sin on the world is utter brokenness in all aspects of life, relationship, and nature.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came in the flesh to restore the relationship between God and man.  Through His death and resurrection, Jesus revealed divine love and divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God.  He alone, through His broken body and shed blood, offers humankind communion with the Father.

Salvation, sanctification, justification, and glorification are all the workings of Christ in those who, by faith and through divine grace, put their trust in Him. Those who repent and trust Him for their salvation enter the community of believers, the Church, the Bride of Christ, who will be finally united with God for all of eternity.  God’s redemptive purpose will be consummated by the return of Christ, when He will put an end to all injustice.  Those who are apart from Christ shall be eternally separated from God’s presence, but the Church shall live and reign with Him forever.

God has placed us in the story of Redemption, by saving us and sending us forth to share Christ with the world.  This is accomplished through the working of the Holy Spirit within the individual believer and within the community of the Church, expressing the essence of Christ, i.e. peace, love, justice, truth, sacrifice, etc.