What We Believe

Our Statement of Faith

Our beliefs are rooted in the authority of Scripture and the historic teachings of the Christian faith. These truths guide our worship, our ministry, and our mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I. The Scriptures

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth—without any mixture of error—for its matter.

Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us and will remain to the end of the world the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tested.

All Scripture ultimately points to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

The Bible is inerrant and infallible in its original manuscripts and verbally inspired by God.
(Supplemented August 2003)

Scripture References:
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1–2; Joshua 8:34; Psalm 19:7–10; Psalm 119; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:17–18; Luke 24:44–46; John 17:17; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19–21; and others.

II. God

There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being—the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe.

God is infinite in holiness and perfect in all His attributes. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and His knowledge extends to all things past, present, and future.

The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons without division of nature, essence, or being.

A. God the Father

God the Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the course of human history according to the purposes of His grace.

He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise.

God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ and shows fatherly care toward all humanity.

Scripture References:
Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 19:1–3; Isaiah 64:8; Matthew 6:9; John 4:24; Romans 8:14–15; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17.

B. God the Son

Christ is the eternal Son of God.

In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and fulfilled the will of God while identifying completely with humanity, yet without sin.

Through His substitutionary death on the cross, He provided redemption from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body, appeared to His disciples, and ascended into heaven.

He now reigns at the right hand of God as the one Mediator between God and man and will return in power and glory to judge the world and complete His redemptive mission.

Christ now dwells in all believers as the living Lord.

Scripture References:
Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1–18; John 10:30; Acts 1:9; Romans 5:6–21; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 1:13–22; Hebrews 4:14–15; Revelation 19:16.

C. God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine.

He inspired the writing of Scripture and enables people to understand truth. He glorifies Christ, convicts of sin, calls people to salvation, and brings about spiritual rebirth.

At the moment of regeneration, the Spirit baptizes believers into the Body of Christ, empowers them for service, cultivates Christian character, and seals believers until the day of redemption.

He empowers the church in worship, evangelism, and service.

Scripture References:
Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 61:1–3; Matthew 28:19; John 14:16–17; John 16:7–14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14–16; 1 Corinthians 12:3–11; Ephesians 1:13–14.

III. Man

Man is the special creation of God, made in His image.

God created humanity male and female as the crowning work of creation. The gift of gender is part of God’s good design.

Originally innocent, humanity fell into sin through disobedience to God. As a result, all people inherit a nature inclined toward sin and stand in need of redemption.

Only the grace of God can restore humanity to fellowship with Him.

Because every person is made in the image of God and Christ died for all, every individual possesses inherent dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.

IV. Salvation

Salvation is God’s gracious work of redeeming the whole person. It is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Salvation includes:

Regeneration

The new birth, a work of God’s grace where believers become new creations in Christ.

Justification

God’s gracious declaration of righteousness upon those who repent and believe in Christ.

Sanctification

The lifelong process through which believers grow in holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Glorification

The final and complete state of redemption when believers are perfected in the presence of God.

V. God’s Purpose of Grace

Election is the gracious purpose of God through which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners.

All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ will never fall away from the state of grace but will persevere by the power of God.

VI. The Church

A New Testament church is a local congregation of baptized believers who covenant together in faith and fellowship.

The church observes the two ordinances of Christ:

• Baptism
• The Lord’s Supper

Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and is governed by biblical leadership.

The Scriptural offices of the church are pastors and deacons.

The New Testament also speaks of the church as the Body of Christ, composed of all believers throughout history.

VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Baptism

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It symbolizes:

• Faith in Christ
• Death to sin
• Burial of the old life
• Resurrection to walk in new life

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience in which believers remember the death of Christ and anticipate His return.

VIII. The Lord’s Day

The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is a day for worship, spiritual devotion, and fellowship among believers.

IX. The Kingdom

The Kingdom of God includes His sovereign rule over the universe and His reign in the hearts of those who trust Christ.

Christians are called to pray and work for the coming of God’s kingdom until its full realization at Christ’s return.

X. Last Things

God will bring history to its proper conclusion.

Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly. The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all people.

The righteous will dwell forever with the Lord in heaven, while the unrighteous will face eternal separation from God.

XI. Evangelism and Missions

Every follower of Christ is called to make disciples of all nations.

Sharing the gospel through word and life is both a privilege and a responsibility for every believer.

XII. Education

Christianity values learning and wisdom. All truth ultimately comes from God, and Christian education should cultivate knowledge, faith, and spiritual growth.

XIII. Stewardship

God is the source of all blessings. Believers are entrusted with time, talents, and resources to be used for His glory.

Scripture teaches giving that is:

• Cheerful
• Regular
• Proportionate
• Generous

The tithe is considered the starting place of Christian stewardship.

XIV. Cooperation

Churches may voluntarily cooperate with other Christian organizations to advance the gospel and serve the Kingdom of God.

Such cooperation must never compromise loyalty to Christ or the authority of Scripture.

XV. The Christian and the Social Order

Christians are called to live out the teachings of Christ in society.

Believers should oppose injustice, care for the vulnerable, defend the sanctity of human life, and pursue righteousness, truth, and love.

The greatest contribution the church can make to society is leading people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

XVI. Peace and War

Christians should seek peace with all people and strive to resolve conflict according to the teachings of Christ.

The ultimate remedy for the spirit of war is the transforming power of the gospel.

XVII. Religious Liberty

God alone is Lord of the conscience.

Church and state should remain separate so that every individual has freedom to worship God without interference.

A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.

XVIII. The Family

God established the family as the foundational institution of society.

Marriage is the covenant union of one man and one woman for life.

Husbands and wives are equal in value before God and are called to reflect Christ’s love and leadership within the family.

Children are a blessing from the Lord, and parents are responsible for raising them in biblical truth and love.