We don’t know where you are in your faith walk, but we understand that questions are worth answering. While it’s impossible to address every question you might have, we hope this overview will at least provide a start. Pastor Brian would love to talk with you more about any of these topics. Please contact him at any time.
About the Bible
We believe the Bible is God's message of love and hope for all people. The Bible is the written Word of God, handed down to us in order to point us to the truth that we are saved from our sin and eternal death by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that the Bible is completely reliable and without error. In it we learn everything we need to know about God's love and His gifts to us.
About God
There is only one true God—the Triune God—who exists in three separate but equal Persons: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. God the Father is our Maker and the Creator of all things. By the Father’s Word, all things were made, and we are His most beloved creation; we are closest to His heart. The Son is Jesus Christ, who came to earth as the perfect “go-between,” bridging God and humanity. He has redeemed us and pleads for us before the Father. The Holy Spirit calls us to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, keeps us in the one true faith, and equips us for living out our faith.
About Humans
Human beings are created beings made in the image of God. We all fall short of God’s expectations because we are all born “sinful.” Sin can be summed up as all the things we say, think, do, and don’t do that fall outside of God’s holy will for our lives and end up separating us from God. Sin was brought into the world when Satan lured the first people God created (Adam and Eve) into disobeying God through their own free will, breaking the perfect relationship between God and us. From that point on, sin became part of our very existence. Because God also demands perfect obedience, our ultimate punishment became death. Yet God is a loving God whose will is not for us to live in eternal punishment. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live the perfect life He requires and to become our substitute. Christ took our sin upon Himself and died on the cross, on our behalf. When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, He bears our sin and gives us His forgiveness.
About Salvation
There is absolutely nothing we can do to be saved —Jesus Christ has already done everything necessary. In His life, death and resurrection, everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior has been brought back into a right relationship with God. That means that, on account of Jesus, everyone who believes is "justified," or declared innocent by God. God has done justice to the world's sins; because of Jesus, all who believe are forgiven and will live eternally. We can't earn salvation nor do we deserve it. All we can do is to believe in Him, trusting that Jesus has already done all that is necessary for us.
About Faith
It is through faith in Jesus that we receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. By faith we believe that He has
freed us from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin. Faith is simply trusting that we can't save ourselves but trusting that Jesus has done all the work for us.
About Good Works
Since there is nothing we can ever do to earn salvation, we do not do good works in order to be saved. Good works are done out of praise and thanks because we are saved. Such good works include, but are certainly not limited to, serving and caring for the needs of others, honoring and giving respect to those in authority, keeping our vows and commitments, and seeking to do what God considers to be good and right.
About Grace
While we deserved to pay the penalty for our sins, God had a different plan. Christ paid the debt, and we receive forgiveness and eternal life from Him. It is offered freely out of unconditional love and is a gift. That's why it's called grace, because it is truly undeserved.
About Life After Death
On Judgment Day—we don’t know when—Jesus Christ is going to return. On that day, everyone who has died will be raised, and those who are still alive will be bodily transformed. At that time, the final judgment will take place. Those who do not believe in Jesus will go into eternal damnation in hell, and all those who believe in Jesus as Savior will have eternal life in heaven.