statement of faith
Doctrine of God
The Trinity
“We believe in the one and only true God: eternally immutable and existing as one Godhead and three distinct and co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.[1] We believe each to be fully and truly God, yet distinct in holding harmonious offices in the salvation, sanctification, and glorification of the church as God makes His glory known.”[2]
[1] 1 Corinthians 8:4,6; Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Malachi 3:6; 1 John 5:7
[2] Romans 11:36; Nehemiah 9: 32-33; Revelation 5:12-14; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:14
Sovereignty
“We believe that God, supreme Creator of all, sovereignly foreknows and orchestrates all things together for the good of His children– the greatest thereof is the presence of His Glory.[1] Apart from the imputation of God’s grace that grants us faith, humanity would never choose to worship God and pursue righteousness. God foreknows all, orchestrates all, and is due all glory, honor, and praise.”[2]
[1] Isaiah 46: 10-11; Psalms 135:6; Acts 2:23 Proverbs 16:33;
[2] Ephesians 1:11; Titus 3:3-5; John 6:44; John 8:36; Philippians 2:13
Doctrine of Scripture
Holy Scriptures
“We believe that the Holy Scriptures, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, were written by men under the divine inspiration of God. Scripture, being God-breathed, is the fully authoritative, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. Scripture is sufficient and is to be believed as its entirety is beneficial for teaching, reproof, and training in righteousness.[1] Scripture is the sole authority and foundation of truth, reason, and discipline for every believer and the Church.[2] In matters not explicit in scripture, what is true and right is still understood by the reading of Scripture and is consistent with the teachings of Scripture.[3] While context and culture change, Scripture, reflecting the character of God, never changes and is applicable for all of the church for all of time. Therefore, the church and God’s children discover God’s will through the reading and praying of His word with the help of His Spirit.”[4]
We also affirm the Chicago Statement on Scriptural Authority.
[1] 2 Timothy 3: 16; Psalm 17:9
[2] 2 Peter 1: 19-21;
[3] John 6:45, Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 2: 9-12;
[4] 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:16; Acts 15:15-16
Law & The Gospel
We believe that the Law and the Gospel work in perfect harmony to instruct, empower, and sustain the children of God in their sanctification and faith. The Law, otherwise known as the Covenant of Works, and the Gospel, otherwise known as the Covenant of Grace, both share the primary function of God revealing Himself and His promises to His people.[1] The Law, which was the covenant made with the people of Israel in the Old Testament, was given to instruct the people of God on the necessary works that needed to be performed as a sign of their faith in the coming Messiah, Christ.[2] It must be noted that these works of the law, while fully necessary, never acted as salvation for the people of God but were instead shadows of the salvation that God would bring in his Son.[3]
[1] 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 5:17
[2] Galatians 3:24
[3] Romans 7:4-14
Doctrine of Salvation
Regeneration
“We believe that sinners must be born again through the regenerating work of The Holy Spirit.[1] Regeneration consists of receiving a holy disposition of the mind by the Holy Spirit that makes the sinner aware of their sin, the penalty of their sin, and the saving work of Jesus Christ.[2] Sinners are also given a new heart, being brought from death to spiritual life, and are made able and willing to repent of sin before God and trust alone in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, of which they can do no other.[3]
[1] John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8; John 6:63; Titus 3:5.
[2] Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10.
[3] 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Philippians 2:12-13
Justification
“We believe that God decreed from all eternity to justify all the elect.[1] We believe this justification came in the fullness of time when Christ, in accordance with the Father’s redemptive plan, was willingly crucified under Pontius Pilate, buried in death, and rose from the dead on the third day.[2] His resurrection was the victory over both our bodily and spiritual bondage to sinful flesh and condemnation of death.[3] This work of Christ includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life by His obedience and death that fully paid the debt of all the elect.[4] He endured, in their place, the penalty they deserved. By the sacrifice of Himself in His bloodshed on the cross, He fully satisfied God’s justice on their behalf.”[5] This justification is dependent upon the imputation of Christ’s righteousness and the gifts of faith and repentance given by regeneration through The Spirit.[6] The fruit of this genuine faith is the Spirit-empowered good works that the elect will walk in.”[7]
[1] Romans 3:24; 8:30. Romans 4:5–8; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31; Romans 5:17–19.
[2] Romans 3:28. Galatians 5:6; James 2:17, 22, 26.
[3] Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
[4] Galatians 3:8; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Timothy 2:6; Romans 4:25; Colossians 1:21, 22; Titus 3:4–7.
[5] Matthew 6:12; 1 John 1:7, 9; John 10:28; Psalms 89:31–33; Psalms 32:5; Psalms 51; Matthew 26:75.
[6] Galatians 3:9; Romans 4:22–24.
[7] Philippians 3:8, 9; Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Romans 5:17;
Sanctification
“We believe that sanctification is the process by which the saints are made partakers of God’s holiness as they become more obedient and further transformed into the likeness of Christ through His Word and Spirit.[1] This is a progressive work by which the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the various evil desires that arise from it are increasingly weakened and mortified. [2] Saints are also empowered by God’s saving grace and practice true holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.[3] This sanctification is never completed in this life; some corruption remains in every part as long as flesh remains. As Christ increases and flesh decreases, the fight of faith is ongoing until glorification in Heaven. In this war, the flesh may prevail for a time, but through the continual aid and sanctification of the Spirit, the regenerate heart will overcome as saints grow in grace unto perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”[4]
[1] Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16–19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21–23. Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14.
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 7:18, 23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11.
[3] Romans 7:23; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
The Perseverance Of Saints
“We believe that the saints will endure unto the end as they are kept by God and empowered by The Holy Spirit.[1] We believe that this preservation in Christ is the distinguishing factor between authentic and superficial professions of faith.[2] The perseverance of the saints does not depend on their own free will but on the unchanging decree of election, which flows from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father.[3] While these saints may fall to sins and remain in them for a time, they will be renewed to faithfulness through their repentance and will be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.”[4]
[1] John 10:28, 29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 2:19; 1 Corinthians 11:32.
[2] Romans 5:9, 10: Romans 8:30; Romans 9:11, 16; John 14:19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 1 John 3:9.
[3] Matthew 26:70, 72, 74; Isaiah 64:5, 9; Ephesians 4:30; Luke 22:32, 61, 62.
Doctrine of Humanity
The Fall of Man, and Sin
“We believe that humanity was created by God in His image to share in perfect communion with Him and enjoy Him forever.[1] However, by the deceit of Satan and the voluntary transgression of Adam and Eve, mankind fell from that holy and perfect state.[2] As a result of this original sin, all of mankind is now spiritually dead and slaves to sin.[3] Because of this sinful nature, humanity is utterly devoid of the holiness required by the law of God, born under the curse of sin, and bound to sinful acts and death. Therefore, mankind is under just condemnation to hell without defense or excuse apart from the good news of the gospel and the imputed righteousness of Christ.[4] Humanity still functions as moral creatures who must one day give an account of their sin to God.[5] The brokenness of the world and wretched acts of its inhabitants are the results of this sinful state. Yet, as image-bearers of God, every person possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.”[6]
[1] John 1:12-13; Gen. 2:16–17.
[2] Gen. 3:12–13; 2 Cor. 11:3.
[3] Rom. 3:10-19, 23; Rom 5:12; Titus 1:15; Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Eph. 2:3 Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21; James 1:14–15; Matt. 15:19.
[4] Rom. 5:12–19; 1 Cor. 15:21–22,45,49; Job 14:4.
[5] Romans 14:12-14; Matthew 7:2-4; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 4:17.
[6] 1 Peter 2:17.
Doctrine of The Church
Universal Church
“We believe that the Lord has established His Church on the cornerstone of Christ and builds it by the salvation of His children.[1] The Church is the Bride of Christ that is charged to obediently listen and live by the Word of God– the Bible.[2] All of those who come to believe in Christ, through the faith given to them by grace, are added to the body of Christ as living stones that are building up the Church.[3] The Church, being the body of Christ, is made up of the elect who have believed and partake in the faithful ministry of the gospel.[4] We believe the Church will be drawn together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, fully adorned in the white robes of Christ’s righteousness.[5] This is known as glorification; the culmination of justification and completion of sanctification. In our glorified bodies, we will be fully free from this sinful flesh as it will be eradicated in the presence of the manifest holiness of God.”[6]
[1] Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22-23; Ephesians 2:19-22
[2] Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32
[3] 1 Peter 2:5
[4] Hebrews 12:23; Ephesians 3:21
[5] Revelation 19:6-9
[6] Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Local Church
“We believe the local gatherings of this universal body of Christ, otherwise known as the local church, are the primary means by which a believer obediently lives out their faith in fellowship alongside one another as they evangelize, carry out discipleship, and proclaim the gospel. The local church is charged to care for its believers and enable their obedience through the expositional teaching of God’s word and the carrying out of the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations as we wait for the coming of the Lord.”[1]
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20–22
Baptism & The Lord’s Supper
“We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, by the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; this symbolizes our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior Christ.[1] We believe baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and the taking of the Lord’s Supper in which good-standing members of a local church are to commemorate the dying love of Christ; this is always preceded by solemn self-examination, confession.”[2]
[1] Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16
[2] Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:41–42. 32 Corinthians 6:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew 7:6.
Church Offices
“We believe a local church must be organized according to the command of Christ, consisting of officers and members. The officers appointed by Christ are elders and deacons. They are to be chosen and set apart by the church for the distinct purpose of administering ordinances and carrying out any other power or duty Christ entrusts them with. This pattern of under-shepherds is to be continued until Christ, the true Shepherd returns.”[1]
[1] Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4
Worship and Church Discipline
“We believe that every church is called to gather and be conformed to Christ’s likeness by the commands declared in His Word.[1] He has given all the necessary power and authority to church officers to conduct the form of worship and discipline that He has instituted. He has also given them commands and rules to abide by as they carry out that power rightly and properly. Any member who, by grievous or continuous sin, finds themselves not in good standing must undergo church discipline at the guidance and counsel of the elders of the church in order to be restored to good standing and joyous church membership.”[2]
[1] Matthew 18:15–17; Ephesians 4:2, 3; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15.
[2] Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25. 302 Corinthians 1:24; 1 John 4:1.
Church Membership
“We believe that the members of the Church are saints by calling, visibly displaying their obedience to the call of Christ by their profession and life of faith. They willingly agree to live together according to Christ’s instructions, giving themselves to the Lord and to one another with the stated purpose of following the ordinances of the Gospel by the will of God.” [1]
[1] Hebrews 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5; Acts 20:29-30; Acts 2:37-47; Acts 6:1-6; Romans 16:1-16; 1 Timothy 5:3-16
Complementarianism
We affirm the Danvers Statement on Complementarianism.