God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make humankind aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily and demonstrate the fruit of a spirit-filled life.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:18

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5

People were created to exist forever with their Creator God. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9

We practice believer’s baptism which means that a person should be baptized when they make a personal decision to follow Christ. We practice baptism by pouring or immersion.

“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism, you were also raised with Christ…” Col. 2:12 (GN)

At Maple City Chapel we encourage tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving.

“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Lev. 27:30

We believe that God wonderfully and intentionally creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Therefore, we believe that the rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We also believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (Gen 2:18-25, 1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) Therefore, any form of sexual immorality (such as adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10).

We believe that every person is worthy of compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity and all persons are welcomed at Maple City Chapel. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of our church. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)

The role of women in ministry is an important topic in which well-intentioned, Bible-believing Christians often disagree. Some Christians believe that certain roles, offices, or responsibilities in the church should be reserved for men (Complementarianism). Others believe that roles, offices, and responsibilities should be determined by calling and gifting regardless of gender (Biblical Equality or Egalitarianism).

The elders at Maple City Chapel have spent significant time studying, discussing, and praying about what the Bible has to say on this issue. While some Elders hold to a soft complementarian perspective and others hold to an egalitarian perspective, we share the belief that, when taken as a whole, the Bible allows for women to serve as elders, to teach and preach, and to be licensed/ordained to serve as pastors.

Judges 4:4-7, 2 Kings 22:14, Matthew 28:10, Luke 8:1-3, Acts 18:26, Acts 21:8-9, 1 Corinthians 11:5, Romans 16:1-15, Colossians 4:15