What Do We Believe? Introduction

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

It is the purpose of this statement of faith and message to set forth certain teachings, which we believe:

That the finale authority for faith and practice among us is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
That they are statements of religious convictions, drawn from the scriptures.
We profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is "The same yesterday, today and forever". Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among us is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
A living faith must experience a growing understanding of truth and must be continually interpreted and related to the needs of each new generation.
That instruction and guidance of our own people and others must be given concerning those articles of the Christian faith, which are most surely held among us. They are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
That we do not regard them as complete statements of our faith. As in the future, we should hold ourselves free to revise our statements of faith as may seem to us wise and expedient at any time.