Our Non-Essential Beliefs

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

We recognize other issues as disputable still within the bounds of Christian orthodoxy and hold that they should not be a cause for division in the church. Members may differ on non-essential beliefs so long as they do so in love and "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

WORKS OF THE SPIRIT

We consider ourselves "scriptural charismatics", meaning we believe God heals and otherwise acts in our lives today as He did in the early Church. We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts on the members of the Body as He pleases for the edification of the church. We encourage the exercise of those gifts within scriptural boundaries.

COMMUNION

The Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly in remembrance of our Lord, as enjoined by Scripture. (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-26) Anyone who has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and who believes His body and blood were "given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins" is welcome to dine to partake. Individuals are urged to examine themselves in advance of partaking the bread and the cup, so as to ensure they are able to commune in a worthy manner, as provided by Scripture. (I Cor. 11:28-29)

BAPTISM

Water baptism is only intended for the individual who has received the saving benefits of Christ's atoning work and become His disciple. (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12) Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person's union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that his former way of life has been put to death and vividly depicts a person's release from the mastery of sin.