WE BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY.
Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible reveal there is one God, and that He exists forever and in three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God the Father is the creator and sustainer of everything. He composed the universe—in all of its beauty and glory—and while He was making this universe, He made man in His own image so He could have fellowship with him. After man fell, God the Father graciously called man back into fellowship with Him through Christ. (Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)
Jesus Christ is God and is the Son of God. He is the living Word of God, and through Him all things were created. Born to the Virgin Mary and of the Holy Spirit, Jesus left Heaven and came to Earth as a man to redeem mankind. He is completely God and completely man. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 6:6; 7:4-6; 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14, 15)
The Holy Spirit is God, and He is the Giver of Life. The Spirit was active during the Old Testament, often speaking and working through the Jewish prophets. But it was on the day of Pentecost that He was given to the Church in fullness. The Holy Spirit works in our lives to transform us into the image of Jesus. He also empowers us to serve Jesus, and to be witnesses to His name. He is fully released in our lives by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which happens after salvation. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is shown both inwardly and outwardly in many different ways. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the people of God for the building of the church. We also believe that signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the Kingdom of God... to empower and edify the Church to fulfill its calling and mission. (John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8, 4:29-30; Romans 8:9, 12:308; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)
WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE PERFECT WORD OF GOD AND WRITTEN BY GOD THROUGH MAN.
The Bible—being both the Old and New Testaments—is the only infallible Word of God that cannot be taken away from nor added to. It is eternal. It is ultimate. It has complete authority and final say in all things, and its authority cannot be overcome or overridden in any way. It's the single source of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof, and is the all-inclusive guidebook on how to practically live a godly life. (Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)
WE BELIEVE CHRIST'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION MADE SALVATION POSSIBLE.
When Jesus died for us on the cross, He paid the penalty for all of man's sins. However, redemption is only possible through the personal acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord. Christ's sacrifice also made healing and total provision possible—for the spirit, soul, and body.
WE BELIEVE SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT.
We did nothing and could never do anything to deserve salvation. But when Jesus died on the cross, His goodness allowed us to be saved if we would have faith in Him and make Him Lord. Salvation happens by repenting of sin, believing in Jesus Christ, and personally receiving Him as Lord and Savior. The new life in Christ includes the privileges of adoption and inheritance in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Salvation is an act of free will in response to God’s personal love for mankind. It is predestined only in the sense that God, through His omniscience, foreknew those who would choose Him. It is secure in the eternal, unchanging commitment of God who does not lie and is forever the same. Salvation should produce an active lifestyle of loving obedience and service to Jesus Christ our Savior.
WE BELIEVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF KNOWING AND LOVING CHRIST.
It is the combination of the new life God gives us at salvation, and the truth He teaches us as we live it. The Holy Spirit guides us through various circumstances in life—always revealing to us truths about Him and ourselves in the process. Faithfulness is simply trusting Him through it all and learning to submit our personal desires to His perfect will.
The shortcomings of individual Christians and the Church at large come from living in a fallen world while striving to become more like Christ. The life of the Christian is filled with trials, tests, and warfare with a very real spiritual enemy.
But for those who live a life of love, faith, and fellowship with Christ, eternal hope is secure in our relationship with Him. God always provides for His Church, and He will never go back on the promises in His Word.
Living the Christian life is about becoming who God created us to be and then living it out.
WE BELIEVE THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS TO MAKE DISCIPLES.
The Church doesn't just exist to get people into heaven, but also to train and equip them so that they are complete in Christ and able to live for Him here on Earth. The Church is governed according to a biblical model of eldership. The church has honored roles of service including the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and deacons.
WE BELIEVE IN BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER.
These two practices were instituted by Jesus when He was on Earth and are continued by His church to this day.
Water baptism is simply the outward sign of the inner work God has already done in the individual's life. It is a sign of joining in Christ's death to sin and His resurrection into life in righteousness, as well as a statement to all that the person being baptized now belongs to Christ.
The Lord's Supper is done in honor and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice until His return, and is a sign of our participation in Him.
WE BELIEVE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER.
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to full-time Christian living, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. (1 Peter 2:5, Revelation 1:6)
WE BELIEVE IN TITHING.
At Legacy, we practice tithing for the support of Christ's body, the church, in obedience to God's Word. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is a biblical principle that honors God and requires faith in God as our financial provider. Tithing reflects a grateful heart that wants to give back to God a portion of what He has given us; in reality, what is already His. Tithing is our opportunity to show God that He is first in our lives. James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above ..., so we have an opportunity to tangibly show God He is the owner of our finances by giving back to Him the first of what He gives us. (Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23)
WE BELIEVE JESUS IS COMING BACK.
And when He comes, all those who serve Him will reign with Him until the final judgment.
During the final judgment, God will judge all of mankind—young and old, men and women, believers and unbelievers. And each individual's relationship with Christ will determine where he or she will spend eternity.