The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority for determining all doctrinal truths (2 Timothy 3:16). God has revealed Himself to us through the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament reveals God as the Creator of the universe and all living things. It lays the foundation for the coming of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of fallen humanity. The New Testament reveals the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and records His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. It also records the birth of the Church, reveals the work of the Holy Spirit, and anticipates the return of Christ. The Bible testifies about Jesus Christ, who is the focus of God’s revelation (John 5:39; Luke 24:27).
There is one God, eternally existing in three equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). These three are co-equal and co-eternal Persons in one triune God. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present, and above all perfect in holiness, righteousness, justice, wisdom, and love (1 John 4:8). Being the Creator and supreme Ruler of the universe, He is worthy of all glory and adoration.
Humans were created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but became alienated from God through sin, resulting in both physical and spiritual death (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12-21). Salvation is a gift of God’s grace received by faith alone in Jesus Christ, who by His death on the cross paid the penalty for sin (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus Christ is therefore the only means of reconciliation with God, the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Those who repent of sin and believe in Him are forgiven, justified, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, adopted as God’s children, and granted eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).
Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will one day physically return to earth in power and glory (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11). The dead will be raised—the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:11-15). Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit indwells God’s people, gives them spiritual gifts, and produces the fruit of Christlike character (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-23). All believers are to live godly lives and serve in Christ’s kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Church is the body of Christ of which Jesus is the Head and all regenerated believers are members. Its mission is to glorify God by loving Him and obeying His commands, and by proclaiming the gospel and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Christians are called to live holy lives, being salt and light in the world and members of Christ’s Church (Matthew 5:13-16). There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead, and believers will be united with Christ forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
In summary, our statement of faith affirms that:
- The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
- There is one God eternally existing in three equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Humans are created in God’s image but became alienated from God through sin resulting in death.
- Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was resurrected, ascended, and will return again.
- The Holy Spirit indwells believers, gives spiritual gifts, and produces godly character.
- The Church is the body of Christ of which He is the Head.
- There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead and eternal destiny.
This statement presents the essential doctrines that we firmly believe, teach, and defend as biblical truth. While there are certainly secondary issues where Bible-believing Christians disagree, these core doctrines unite us around the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in God’s infallible and inerrant Word.
The Bible alone is our ultimate authority and sole basis for all doctrine. Its inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency are not subject to church traditions, creeds, or councils (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God’s Word alone teaches all that is necessary for salvation and equips us for a life of godliness as we await Christ’s return (2 Peter 1:3). We must handle Scripture accurately, interpret it properly, submit to its commands, and regulate our beliefs and practices by its supreme authority.
There is only one true God who exists eternally as three equal divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19). The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational – God’s triune nature underlies the gospel message of salvation. Each member of the Trinity has distinct attributes, but without division of essence, character, or being. God is self-existent, self-sufficient, and self-revealing. His knowledge and wisdom are unlimited. He is infinite, eternal, and unchanging in His righteousness, justice, truth, love, mercy, and faithfulness.
Humanity was created in God’s image, but through Adam’s sin became separated and alienated from God (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:10-12, 23). As sinners, all people are helpless, ungodly, unable to save themselves, under divine condemnation, and in need of reconciliation with God which comes only through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3). By God’s grace alone and received through faith alone, those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ are saved from the penalty and power of sin. It is Christ’s righteousness alone that makes us right with God (Romans 3:21-26; Titus 3:3-7).
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, took on human flesh and nature, yet remained fully God (Philippians 2:6-11). He lived a perfect, sinless life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, bore the penalty for our sins, was buried, and resurrected bodily. His resurrection demonstrated His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Now ascended to the right hand of the Father, He mediates as our great High Priest and Advocate. One day Christ will return to fulfill the remaining prophecies (Hebrews 4:14-16; Acts 1:11).
The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, convicts of sin, regenerates the believing sinner, indwells, guides, instructs, empowers, gifts, comforts, and prays for God’s people (John 16:13-15). The Spirit applies the redemptive work of Christ to believers, giving them new life and producing Christlike character and obedience inside of them (Romans 8:9-11). The baptism of the Holy Spirit incorporates believers into the body of Christ and is accompanied by the gifts that the Spirit sovereignly bestows for ministry.
The Church universal consists of all who have saving faith in Christ. As the body and bride of Christ, the Church’s calling is to worship God, love Him, and serve Him. All believers are united together in love and unified in the faith under the lordship of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). The local church is an assembly of believers who join together for worship, fellowship, service, and the preaching of God’s Word. It observes the ordinances of baptism and communion instituted by Christ.
Jesus Christ will one day return bodily, visibly, and gloriously to earth (Acts 1:11). The dead will be raised and Christ will judge all people, consigning them to eternal life or eternal punishment (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Believers will enjoy everlasting life, while those who reject Christ will suffer eternal separation from God in hell (Matthew 25:46). Eternity will bring endless glory to God and fulfillment to His people. We look forward to the new heavens and new earth, where we shall worship, serve, and reign with Christ forever.
This statement presents the essential doctrines of biblical Christianity that summarize our convictions regarding sound doctrine. We affirm the Bible alone as our authority and reject any unbiblical traditions, creeds, or councils seeking to bind the conscience. Our statement is Christ-centered, cross-focused, and gospel-driven. We desire to glorify God through faithfully upholding His Word and proclaiming the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.