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This describes the essential truths which we believe.
We believe there is one true and living God existing in
three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created
humans perfect and free to make choices. They chose to
disobey their Creator. Turning away from God, humanity
fell into sin. All of the suffering and evil in the world
is because of this sin. Even though we have turned away
from God, God still loves all people and wants our lives
to be full of joy and peace. Right from the beginning,
God had a plan to make this happen.
God's plan was to send Jesus, who lived a life of perfect
obedience to God and who died to pay the price for all
people's sins. God raised Jesus back to life. He is in
heaven now, but he has promised to return to earth someday.
When he comes again, he will resurrect all believers and
take them to be with him in heaven.
Believers are people who accept that Jesus Christ is God's
Son, who believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose
from the dead, and who do their best to follow his teachings
and example. Together they form the church, which is called
Christ's body on earth, and which has a responsibility
to continue Christ's work.
Living the Christian life is not always easy, but believers
receive guidance from the Bible and from the teachings
and example of Christ; and they receive encouragement
and power from God's Holy Spirit.
*There are some
doctrines on which two Christians may agree to disagree,
even though they are in the same local church and part
of the same leadership team. Examples include the dating
of events in Genesis, order of events associated with
the Lord’s return, and degree of separation from
worldly practices.
When teaching in any such area, it is made clear these
beliefs are not essential for salvation or leadership
in the church. We may state the case for our position,
but will also acknowledge that sincere and intelligent
Christians hold different views. We are committed to
nurturing the unity we share as the family of God and
to obeying His command to “love one another.”
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