What we believe (Part 5)

 We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; 17:21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2nd Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1st John 3:17-18) 

 We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1st Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32; Matthew 18:15-17) 

 We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. (2nd Corinthians 5:20) 

 We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is encouraged to cheerfully give, as he purposes in his heart, to his church as God has prospered him. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his offering once the gift has been made. (1st Corinthians 6:2; 2nd Corinthians 9:6-7) 

 The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church will be in complete agreement with the statement of faith.