In the essential beliefs, we have unity.
     “There is one Body and one Spirit… there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…”  Ephesians 4:4-6
 
In the non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.
     “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…  Who are you to judge…  Each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God.”  Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
 
In all our beliefs, we have charity.
     “If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge, but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”  1 Corinthians 13:2 
 
     “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  …For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1, 3b

Essential Beliefs  (Our non-negotiables)
1.  The Bible is…
     A. the divine revelation of God to mankind
     B. our fixed source of authority for faith and conduct
     C. without error and endurable for all generations and cultures
  
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:160)

2.  God is…
     A. eternal, having always existed outside of time and space
     B. a single Being consisting of three Persons – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit 
 
(Genesis 1:1,26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22)
 
3.  Jesus is… 
     A. eternal Son of God
     B. conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin
     C. one who ultimately restores mankind from sin
     D. raised from the dead and seated with the Heavenly Father
 
(Revelation 1:8; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; Acts 2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16; Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:4; Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)
 
4.  The Holy Spirit is…
     A. active today to make people aware of their need of Jesus
     B. active today to empower believers to live the Christian life more victoriously
 
(John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Romans 8:16; Luke 24:49; Acts 8:12-17; 19:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 10:44-46)
 
5.  Mankind is…
     A. made in the spiritual image of God
     B. fallen from innocence due to a willful choice to do wrong
     C. destined for eternal separation from God
     D. provided an opportunity to be reconciled to God through Christ
     E. invited to accept Christ, repent of sin, and get a fresh start
 
(Genesis 1:26-30; 3:8-9; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 3:23; 5:12-19; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:3, 16; Acts 20:21; Romans 5:1; 1 John 1:9; Titus 2:11-13; 3:5-6; Romans 8:38-39; John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5; John 15:6; 1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 22:19; Luke 8:13; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 1:16; Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13)
 
6.  The Church is…
     A. the body of Christ that consists of all Christians on a three-fold mission of upreach, inreach, and outreach
     B. respectful of two ordinances – water baptism and The Lord’s Table (Holy Communion)
 
(Ephesians 4:16; Galatians 3:28-29; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Matthew 22:37-38; Ephesians 4:11-11-13; Matthew 28:19-20;

Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Peter 1:4)
 
7.  The Future is…
     A. hopeful for those ready for the imminent return of Christ
     B. bright for the Christian because of eternal life with God
 
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 22:12-13; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:13; John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:1-7; 22:5; Mark 9:43-48;  Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46)