Statement of Faith
The Bible
The Bible is the fully inspired, inerrant Word of God, preserved for us today and it’s centered upon the glory and Lordship of Jesus Christ. It reveals God, testifies to salvation through faith, and serves as the final authority for all faith and practice.
We believe that the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written is verbally inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16), is transmitted through Spirit-controlled men (2 Pet. 1:19-21) and is preserved for us today. As divine in origin and transmission, it is truth without error (Ps. 119:160; Jn. 17:17). The purpose of the Bible is to reveal God and magnify His sovereign grace through the redeeming work of His Son Jesus Christ. Moreover, it leads repentant mankind, through the aid of the Spirit, to salvation by faith (Rom. 10:17) and maturity into the character of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 2Pet. 3:18). We believe that the glory, primacy, and lordship of Jesus Christ and His Gospel are central to its understanding and application. As such, the Bible stands as the true center of Christian union and the primary rule for all faith and practice.
God the Father
God is one in essence and three in persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in divinity yet distinct in role within redemption. God the Father is sovereign, holy, eternal, the creator and sustainer of all things until its final renewal.
We believe in the unity of the Godhead–three divine persons who are one in essence, power, perfection, and eternity (Deut. 6:4), yet distinct in submission and function. They are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor.13:14). As one and yet distinct, each person of the divine trinity plays a role in God’s loving and self-glorifying mission of redemption: The Father elects (I Pet.1:1-2; Jn. 6:37)and sends the Son (Jn. 6:38-39; Jn. 17:6; Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 1:1; Rev. 13:8);the Son purchases the elect through His death and resurrection (Isa. 53:5-6, 10-12; Eph.1:5-7; Col. 1:13-14; 19-20; 2:13-14); and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, calling, illuminating, and sanctifying the elect through repentant faith in the Son (Jn.3:6-8; Gal. 2:20; 2 Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2). We believe in the true and living God as revealed in the Scriptures.
We affirm that, while perfections of God the Father are uniquely attributed to Him in the following, they are also equally true of each member of the Godhead. He is infinite in being; eternally self-existing (Ps. 90:2; Jn. 5:26; I Tim. 1:17); almighty (Acts 17:24-26);sovereign (Dan. 2:21, 31-45; Eph. 1:11); immutable (Mal. 3:6; Jam. 1:17); holy (Isa. 6:3;Rev. 4:8); just (Neh. 9:32-33; Rom. 3:25-26); and full of truth (Ps. 31:5; Rom. 1:25), grace(Ex. 34:6; Rom. 8:32), love (I Jn. 4:8, 16), and mercy (Ex. 34:6).
Furthermore, we believe that God created all things in six days by the Word of His power (Gen. 1 and 2; Exodus 20:11; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:2). Moreover, we believe that He will continue to sustain His creation until His appointed time when He will create New Heavens and the New Earth (Col. 1:16-17; Isa. 65:17-19; Rev. 21:1-4).
We affirm that, while perfections of God the Father are uniquely attributed to Him in the following, they are also equally true of each member of the Godhead. He is infinite in being; eternally self-existing (Ps. 90:2; Jn. 5:26; I Tim. 1:17); almighty (Acts 17:24-26);sovereign (Dan. 2:21, 31-45; Eph. 1:11); immutable (Mal. 3:6; Jam. 1:17); holy (Isa. 6:3;Rev. 4:8); just (Neh. 9:32-33; Rom. 3:25-26); and full of truth (Ps. 31:5; Rom. 1:25), grace(Ex. 34:6; Rom. 8:32), love (I Jn. 4:8, 16), and mercy (Ex. 34:6).
Furthermore, we believe that God created all things in six days by the Word of His power (Gen. 1 and 2; Exodus 20:11; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:2). Moreover, we believe that He will continue to sustain His creation until His appointed time when He will create New Heavens and the New Earth (Col. 1:16-17; Isa. 65:17-19; Rev. 21:1-4).
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is eternally God, fully divine and fully human, virgin-born, sinless, and the only atoning sacrifice for sin through His death and resurrection. He will return to judge the world and establish both His millennial and eternal reign.
We believe that Jesus has existed from eternity past. In His divine existence and incarnation, He became the begotten (the one and only or unique) Son of the Father (Jn.1:1-3; 3:16). We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God (Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:1-3) and that He took upon Himself full humanity (Phil. 2:6-8). He was virgin born and maintained sinless life of full obedience to God’s Law, thereby qualifying Him to be man’s atoning sacrifice for sin (Jn. 8:29; Heb. 2:9, 17, 10:7). His death, burial, and resurrection are God’s means of reconciliation, enabling Him to be both Savior and Lord (Isa. 53:5-6, 1012; Eph.. 1:5-7; Col. 1:13-14, 19-20; 2:13-14). Furthermore, we believe that Jesus Christ is the ruler and judge of the earth, who upon His second advent will return to judge the living and the dead (Jn. 5:22, Matt. 25:31-46; Jn. 5:22; 2 Tim. 4:1) and to establish both His millennial (Rev. 20:4-6) and eternal reigns (Dan. 7:14; Isa. 9:6-7; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 21:1-7).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God, proceeding from the Father and the Son, and actively applies God’s work in salvation, sanctification, and Scripture. He indwells, seals, guides, and gifts believers.
We believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son and is fully equal with both the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3-4; Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 2 Cor. 3:17).Together, the Holy Spirit and God the Son are the direct agents of the Godhead in applying divine works to creation (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30; Jn. 1:3; 26:13; Col.1:16-17 Heb. 1:3), in the inspiration of Scripture (I Pet. 1:21), in the restraining and convicting of sin (2 Thess.2:7-8; Jn. 16:8-11), and in the glorifying of Christ among the redeemed (Jn. 16:14). We believe that the Spirit calls believers and has an active role in their salvation and sanctification (2 Cor. 3:17-18; Rom. 8; Eph. 4:4-6; Titus 3:5-6; 2 Cor. 2:7-10). At conversion, He immediately places the believer into the body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13), seals and indwells them (Eph. 1:13; I Cor. 6:19), fills them (Eph. 5:18), intercedes for them(Rom. 8:26-27), assures them (Rom. 8:1), guides them (Rom. 8:14), and equips them for spiritual service (I Cor. 12:11). Moreover, we believe that the Spirit’s equipping for service involves His endowments (gifting) (I Cor. 12:6-7, 11).
In equipping for service, we believe that the Spirit’s unique endowments known as sign gifts (i.e. speaking in tongues, interpreting of tongues, healing, and the miraculous) were distinguishing characteristic during the time of the Apostles and the early church; however, we do not believe those gifts are practiced in the church today. With this said, we believe that each believer is endowed with a gift by the Spirit for the benefit and edification of the body.
In equipping for service, we believe that the Spirit’s unique endowments known as sign gifts (i.e. speaking in tongues, interpreting of tongues, healing, and the miraculous) were distinguishing characteristic during the time of the Apostles and the early church; however, we do not believe those gifts are practiced in the church today. With this said, we believe that each believer is endowed with a gift by the Spirit for the benefit and edification of the body.
The Nature of Sin
Sin originated with Satan and entered humanity through Adam, resulting in total corruption, spiritual bondage, and separation from God. All people are unable to merit God’s favor and face eternal judgment apart from His salvation.
We believe that sin originated in Satan (Ezek. 28:15) and that he was instrumental in man’s temptation to sin and subsequent fall in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-7). We believe that Adam and Eve’s disobedience and fall from holiness has poisoned and corrupted their offspring so that all mankind are conceived and born in a state of sin and rebellion toward God (Rom. 3:10-23; Rom. 5:18-19; Eph. 2:1-3). We believe that sin is both the intellectual and physical act of breaking God’s commandments (Mk. 7:20-23) and is the root cause of man’s active rebellion toward the word and will of God. As such, we believe mankind is enslaved or bound in sin and is alienated from God, being unable to know or please Him(Jn. 8:34; Rom. 6:23). Man’s disobedience to God in Adam has resulted in utter pain, suffering, and death, culminating in eternal punishment in a literal hell (Gen. 3:16-19;Matt. 25:41; 2 Thess. 1:9. Rev. 14:11, 20:11-15).
Angels and Demons
God created angels with intellect and will, some remained faithful to the original estate; while others rebelled under Satan’s leadership. Holy angels serve God and believers; while demonic beings actively oppose God and His people and blind unbelieving humanity in their sin. Demons are destined for eternal judgment.
We believe that Scripture reveals two specific classifications of angelic beings: the elect angels who remained faithful in service to God, and those who have disobeyed and exist in active rebellion against God (Heb. 1:14, Rev. 5:11-14; Rev. 12:9-10). We believe that angelic beings were created by God and possess intellect, emotion, and will (I Pet. 1:1). Furthermore, we believe that angelic beings are now permanently confirmed in their position of holiness or rebellion (I Tim. 5:21). In regard to the elect or holy angels, we believe that these beings were created specifically to serve God and His people. They worship God, guard God’s honor, relay God’s Word, protect and minister to God’s people, rejoice in God’s salvation, and participate in God’s judgment (Matt. 18:10; Lk. 2:9-14;15:7, 10; Heb. 1:6-7, 14; 2 Thess. 1:7-8; Rev 4:8).
Secondly, we believe that disobedient angels, also known as demonic beings, are eternally condemned (Matt. 25:41). We believe they joined with Satan in his rebellion against God and fell from heaven (Rev. 12:4, 8-9). As such, they currently exist to thwart the purposes of God, blind unbelievers in unbelief, and torment the people of God. We believe that the demonic host is lead under the orchestration of the Evil One, Satan himself. We believe that Satan is a real person and that he is the god of this age, in which the world lies blinded under his power (2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2-3). His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn.8:44; Jn.10:10). He and his demonic host seek to accomplish this evil mission by possessing unbelievers and oppressing believers (Matt. 8:16,28; I Pet.5:8). We believe that one day God will destroy the works of Satan and his demonic army. They will share in the eternal judgment of rebellious and unrepentant mankind in the lake of fire, which burns forever (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19; Matt. 12:41; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 12:9-10; Rev.20:10).
Secondly, we believe that disobedient angels, also known as demonic beings, are eternally condemned (Matt. 25:41). We believe they joined with Satan in his rebellion against God and fell from heaven (Rev. 12:4, 8-9). As such, they currently exist to thwart the purposes of God, blind unbelievers in unbelief, and torment the people of God. We believe that the demonic host is lead under the orchestration of the Evil One, Satan himself. We believe that Satan is a real person and that he is the god of this age, in which the world lies blinded under his power (2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2-3). His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn.8:44; Jn.10:10). He and his demonic host seek to accomplish this evil mission by possessing unbelievers and oppressing believers (Matt. 8:16,28; I Pet.5:8). We believe that one day God will destroy the works of Satan and his demonic army. They will share in the eternal judgment of rebellious and unrepentant mankind in the lake of fire, which burns forever (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19; Matt. 12:41; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 12:9-10; Rev.20:10).
Salvation
Salvation is entirely God’s work, accomplished through Christ and received by faith alone apart from works. God eternally elects, regenerates, secures, and transforms believers by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that salvation is wholly of God and made possible by faith alone in the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, completely apart from any human merit or work. It was fully orchestrated and accomplished by the Holy Triune God of the Scriptures. (Isa. 53:4-12; Jonah 2:9; Jn. 1:12; Eph.1:4-7; 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-8; 2 Tim. 1:8-12; I Pet. 1:18-19)
We believe that God, for His own good, glorious, and sovereign purposes, chose for Himself, before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-7;Rev. 13:8; 17:8), to elect in Christ those whom He graciously calls, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies (Jn. 6:37-40, 44; Rom.3:24-26; 8:29-30; 9:6-16).
We believe that Jesus, God the Son (Matt. 1:23, Lk. 2:32), was a descendent of David (Matt. 1:1-18; Lk. 3:23-38), conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:20-23). We believe He lived a perfect life of obedience to the Father, thus qualifying Him to be the source of eternal salvation (Jn. 8:29). We believe that Jesus ’substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection is the loving and gracious means by which God saves all who believe. Moreover, we believe that repentant faith in the person and redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only requirement for the forgiveness of sins and His salvation (Isa. 53:4-12; Rom. 3:24-26; 10:9-13; Gal. 3:11-13, 4:4-5; I Pet. 1:18-19).
We believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates those who respond by faith to the call of the good news of Jesus Christ. At conversion, He instantly and permanently indwells the believer and imparts to them a new nature (Jn. 3:3-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5; 2 Pet. 1:4), in which He progressively transforms their mind and life to reflect the character of Christ (2Cor. 3:18; Eph. 1:3-14). We believe the Spirit empowers the believer to live a life of obedience and good works, enabling them to love God and love people (Eph. 2:10).
Moreover, we believe that those who receive this great salvation, being sealed by the Holy Spirit, are secure in Christ and preserved through faith by the power of God. (Jn. 6:37-40,44; 10:27-29; I Pet. 1:4-5)
We believe that God, for His own good, glorious, and sovereign purposes, chose for Himself, before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-7;Rev. 13:8; 17:8), to elect in Christ those whom He graciously calls, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies (Jn. 6:37-40, 44; Rom.3:24-26; 8:29-30; 9:6-16).
We believe that Jesus, God the Son (Matt. 1:23, Lk. 2:32), was a descendent of David (Matt. 1:1-18; Lk. 3:23-38), conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:20-23). We believe He lived a perfect life of obedience to the Father, thus qualifying Him to be the source of eternal salvation (Jn. 8:29). We believe that Jesus ’substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection is the loving and gracious means by which God saves all who believe. Moreover, we believe that repentant faith in the person and redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only requirement for the forgiveness of sins and His salvation (Isa. 53:4-12; Rom. 3:24-26; 10:9-13; Gal. 3:11-13, 4:4-5; I Pet. 1:18-19).
We believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates those who respond by faith to the call of the good news of Jesus Christ. At conversion, He instantly and permanently indwells the believer and imparts to them a new nature (Jn. 3:3-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5; 2 Pet. 1:4), in which He progressively transforms their mind and life to reflect the character of Christ (2Cor. 3:18; Eph. 1:3-14). We believe the Spirit empowers the believer to live a life of obedience and good works, enabling them to love God and love people (Eph. 2:10).
Moreover, we believe that those who receive this great salvation, being sealed by the Holy Spirit, are secure in Christ and preserved through faith by the power of God. (Jn. 6:37-40,44; 10:27-29; I Pet. 1:4-5)
The Church
The church is the body of Christ, consisting of all true believers, expressed locally through covenant membership. It exists to worship, proclaim the gospel, practice the ordinances, exercise spiritual gifts, and operate under Christ’s authority through biblical leadership.
We believe that the church is the body of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). It began on the day of Pentecost and is composed of only those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior. We believe the Church is comprised of two aspects: (1) the universal, namely all New Testament believers who have been baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit at conversion (I Cor. 12:13) and (2) its local manifestations, which are composed of all professing believers in a given locality who are united together by covenant through their profession of faith and baptism in the person and redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the local assembly of believers is commissioned by God to preach the gospel to every person, to baptize those who believe, and to faithfully teach the redeemed family the truths of Scripture (Matt. 28:19-20). We believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is supreme importance for the church: to the lost we preach the gospel emphasizing repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21), and to the saved we preach the gospel emphasizing our union and righteousness in God and His summons of holiness through the redeeming working of Jesus Christ. We believe that the church is instructed to meet together regularly (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; Heb. 10:25) for the purposes of worship, prayer, instruction, discipline, encouragement, the exercise of one’s gifting, mutual support (Rom.12:4-13; 15:14; I Cor. 14:1-3, 12, I Tim. 4:13), and to keep the ordinances (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Acts 2:38, 42-47).
We believe that the local assembly of believers is commissioned by God to preach the gospel to every person, to baptize those who believe, and to faithfully teach the redeemed family the truths of Scripture (Matt. 28:19-20). We believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is supreme importance for the church: to the lost we preach the gospel emphasizing repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21), and to the saved we preach the gospel emphasizing our union and righteousness in God and His summons of holiness through the redeeming working of Jesus Christ. We believe that the church is instructed to meet together regularly (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; Heb. 10:25) for the purposes of worship, prayer, instruction, discipline, encouragement, the exercise of one’s gifting, mutual support (Rom.12:4-13; 15:14; I Cor. 14:1-3, 12, I Tim. 4:13), and to keep the ordinances (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Acts 2:38, 42-47).
Baptism/The Lord's Supper
We believe baptism follows salvation and is an act of obedient faith, practiced through the full immersion of believers. We believe the Lord’s Supper is observed by believers as a sacred remembrance of Christ’s atoning work, fostering unity and obedience as the church communes with the risen Christ.
We believe that baptism is subsequent to salvation (Acts 16:30-33), is an act of obedient faith (Matt. 28:19), and is observed through full immersion of the believer in water (Acts8:36-39). We believe that communion is to be observed only by believers and is a holy act of remembering the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 11:27, 23-32). We believe that, while the elements have no saving qualities in themselves, they do impart to the believer, through thoughtful and holy corporate participation, a sanctifying grace that preserves them in unity and obedience, because they are uniquely communing with the risen Christ and His body. (I Cor. 10:15-17).
In addition, we believe that each local church is to be governed under the authority of Christ and the instruction of Scripture. As such, we believe it is to be led by the pastor in conjunction with the authority of the membership of the church (Acts 14:23; I Tim. 5:17; Matt. 18:15-20; 2 Cor. 2:6). Moreover, we believe that the church has two offices whose qualifications and duties are outlined in Scripture, namely the Pastor and the Deacon (I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-2).
In addition, we believe that each local church is to be governed under the authority of Christ and the instruction of Scripture. As such, we believe it is to be led by the pastor in conjunction with the authority of the membership of the church (Acts 14:23; I Tim. 5:17; Matt. 18:15-20; 2 Cor. 2:6). Moreover, we believe that the church has two offices whose qualifications and duties are outlined in Scripture, namely the Pastor and the Deacon (I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-2).
The End Times
Jesus Christ will return visibly, first to rapture the church and later to establish His millennial kingdom. God will resurrect all people for eternal life or judgment and create a new heaven and new earth where He dwells with His redeemed.
We believe in the visible, personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this world (Acts 1:11). In particular, we believe in His return for the church, known as the rapture, an event that precedes the seven year divine global judgement of the Tribulation (Dan. 9:25-27; Jn. 14:1-3; I Thess.4:13-17; Rev. 3:10). We also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return at the end of the great Tribulation, at which time He will establish His Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1-6) and rule the world from the Davidic throne in Jerusalem.
We believe in the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2; John 5:21-30). We believe that resurrected believers will receive a new physical body in which they will experience the pleasure of eternal life in the presence of God forever (Ps. 16:11). We also believe unbelievers will receive a new physical body although they will be resurrected to eternal torment in a literal hell, the lake of fire.
We believe in two great final judgments: (1) believers will stand before Christ to give an account of the quality of the works done in His Name (I Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:10); and 2) unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne of God’s judicial and punitive judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).
We believe that, at the end of time, God will resurrect/recreate the heavens and the earth, establishing New Heavens and a New Earth in which righteousness will dwell (2 Pet.3:13). God Himself will permanently reside with His people in its capital, the New Jerusalem (Isa. 65: 17-19; Rev. 21:1-5).
We believe in the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2; John 5:21-30). We believe that resurrected believers will receive a new physical body in which they will experience the pleasure of eternal life in the presence of God forever (Ps. 16:11). We also believe unbelievers will receive a new physical body although they will be resurrected to eternal torment in a literal hell, the lake of fire.
We believe in two great final judgments: (1) believers will stand before Christ to give an account of the quality of the works done in His Name (I Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:10); and 2) unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne of God’s judicial and punitive judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).
We believe that, at the end of time, God will resurrect/recreate the heavens and the earth, establishing New Heavens and a New Earth in which righteousness will dwell (2 Pet.3:13). God Himself will permanently reside with His people in its capital, the New Jerusalem (Isa. 65: 17-19; Rev. 21:1-5).