Below is a statement that describers in an organized way, what we, as a community of Christians, hold to be true. The unchanging source of what we believe and teach is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, which we hold to be God's written Word.
All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
"what we, as a community... hold to be true"
Scriptures
We believe the Bible is God’s absolute, objective truth for all people for all times.i It is without error in concept or detail in the original writings.ii It is breathed out in its entirety by God, divinely preserved, and, therefore, trustworthy.iii We believe the Holy Spirit superintended human authors so that, through their individual personalities and literary styles, they composed and recorded God’s Word. iv It is God’s written revelation complete in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. v It is the supreme authority in all matters to which it speaks and is sufficient for life, conduct, and practice – understandable by every believer.vi We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation, and applied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.vii
God
We believe in the one personal, transcendent,* immanent,* living God – the creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler of all things.viii He is self-existent, immutable, and works all things according to the counsel of His will in order to bring glory to Himself.ix God’s knowledge is exhaustive and not dependent on human decisions and actions.x He eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.xi They execute distinct but harmonious roles in creation, providence, redemption, and consummation.*xii They are equal in nature, attributes, and perfections.xiii The holy triune God is worthy of our worship, confidence, and obedience.xiv The Father We believe in God the Father: one in essence with the Son and the Spirit.xv He is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in all His attributes.xvi He is the creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler of all things through His Son Jesus Christ.xvii We believe that He concerns Himself perfectly in the affairs of humanity.xviii His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with the redeemed.xix Everything He does is in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty does not eliminate or minimize human responsibility.xx The Father adopts as His own, through Jesus Christ, all those He calls to Himself. xxi
The Father
We believe in God the Father: one in essence with the Son and the Spirit.xv He is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in all His attributes.xvi He is the creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler of all things through His Son Jesus Christ.xvii We believe that He concerns Himself perfectly in the affairs of humanity.xviii His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with the redeemed.xix Everything He does is in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty does not eliminate or minimize human responsibility.xx The Father adopts as His own, through Jesus Christ, all those He calls to Himself. xxi
The Son
We believe in God the Son: one in essence with the Father and the Spirit.xxii He is the one and only eternal Son of God, the preeminent revelation of God.xxiii At the right time He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-slave. xxiv He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary as Jesus, the Christ – fully God and fully man. xxv We believe in His sinless life, His voluntary submission to His Father’s will that culminated in His substitutionary death on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. xxvi He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.xxvii His death on the cross atoned for our sin and satisfied the righteous demands of the holy God.xxviii He is the Mediator between God and man.xxix He is Prophet, Priest, and King; the Head and Savior of His Church; the Heir of all things; the Judge of all the world; and the exact representation of God the Father.xxx We believe in the personal return of Christ for His Church and in the establishment of His Kingdom on earth.xxxi The Holy Spirit We believe in God the Holy Spirit: one in essence with the Father and Son. xxxii He was sent by God the Father and God the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. xxxiii The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ’s work of redemption and baptism. xxxiv He regenerates, baptizes, seals, gifts, and indwells all believers at conversion, progressively sanctifying, and securing them in Christ forever.xxxv The Spirit fills,* leads, comforts, and intercedes for believers, empowering them for godly living and service. xxxvi His presence is evident by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of believers into the body of Christ, the Church.xxxvii
The Holy Spirit
We believe in God the Holy Spirit: one in essence with the Father and Son. xxxii He was sent by God the Father and God the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. xxxiii The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ’s work of redemption and baptism. xxxiv He regenerates, baptizes, seals, gifts, and indwells all believers at conversion, progressively sanctifying, and securing them in Christ forever.xxxv The Spirit fills,* leads, comforts, and intercedes for believers, empowering them for godly living and service. xxxvi His presence is evident by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of believers into the body of Christ, the Church.xxxvii
Humanity
We believe that humanity, male and female, is sacred in God’s eyes and was uniquely created by Him, in His image and for His glory, to exercise dominion over the earth and to enjoy a relationship with Him forever.xxxviii Every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life. xxxix After sin entered the world, humans still possess the image of God, though tainted by sin.xl God’s will for humanity is that they love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves. xli Family In God’s design for humanity, life begins at fertilization.*xlii He established the institution of family through the union of one man and one woman in a marriage covenant for life.xliii His design for the continuance of humanity is through the procreation and discipleship of children within the marriage union.xliv Marriage is to be an example of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church.xlv
Family
In God’s design for humanity, life begins at fertilization.*xlii He established the institution of family through the union of one man and one woman in a marriage covenant for life.xliii His design for the continuance of humanity is through the procreation and discipleship of children within the marriage union.xliv Marriage is to be an example of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church.xlv
Sin
We believe that sin is any action, inaction, or attitude that is contrary to the nature or Word of God, which constitutes a rejection of His authority, resulting in alienation from God.xlvi Sin entered the world when Adam, representing humanity, disobeyed God.xlvii As a result of the one sin of Adam, his descendents – the whole human race – are separated from relationship with God, spiritually dead, and therefore in a fallen state. Being sinners by nature and choice and utterly unable to remedy their lost condition, humanity is in need of salvation.xlviii
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God, received by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.xlix Salvation is motivated by the love of God demonstrated through His sovereign election* in Christ, purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, and received by faith apart from any human merit, works, or ritual.l Regeneration is effected through the work of the Holy Spirit in God’s elect.li All who repent and believe in Jesus Christ are forgiven of all their sins, justified in God’s sight by the merit of Christ’s righteousness, adopted into His family, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and have equal access to God.lii As a result, the progressive sanctifying work of salvation leads to a newness of life that is evidenced by righteous living, good works, and biblical social concern, or God’s corrective discipline.liii The consummation of salvation is that those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ shall be resurrected and glorified. liv They shall receive their inheritance in the Kingdom of their Father, whom they shall see and enjoy throughout the ages. lv
Church
We believe that the New Testament Church is composed of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit since the day of Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection.lvi We believe that the Church is the spiritual body of Christ, of which He is the Head.lvii We believe that this body expresses itself in local assemblies in which believers are in a covenant relationship.lviii Biblically that relationship is expressed corporately through hearing the Word of God proclaimed, engaging in worship, practicing the two ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion* and the Lord’s Supper, building up each other’s faith, holding each other accountable through biblical love and discipline, and engaging in local and world evangelization.lix Biblically designated officers* must meet the biblical qualifications for their office* and submit to the headship of Christ, emulating His servant leadership.lx We believe the function of eldering is reserved for biblically qualified males.lxi Each local church is to choose, support, and submit to those who function as elders.*lxii
Angels
We believe God created angels as spirit-beings possessing power and intellect, to worship and serve Him and to minister to believers.lxiii Satan is a fallen angel who masquerades as an angel of light.lxiv The scope of Satan’s power is subject to God’s will.lxv By subjecting Adam and Eve to temptation and sin, Satan has extended his rebellion against God, which he continues by deceit, seduction, and destruction. lxvi While Satan and his demons are powerful, they are subject to Christ’s authority and judgment.lxvii Satan and his demons have been defeated for eternity by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, sealing their everlasting damnation. lxviii At the time of final judgment, they will be consigned to eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire. lxix
Last Things
We believe in the sudden, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Millennial Kingdom.lxx He will return with His saints from heaven with power and great glory, on a day known only to God.lxxi We believe that those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, at the point of physical death, enter into God’s eternal glory.lxxii They shall be resurrected and transformed to His body of glory, and they shall receive their inheritance of glory in the Kingdom of their Father. lxxiii They shall be made fully blessed in the presence and service of God, whom they shall see and enjoy throughout the ages. lxxiv We believe that all unsaved persons, at the point of physical death, are destined for eternal damnation.lxxv They will be resurrected, separated from the righteous, judged, and cast into an existence of eternal punishment where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever when death and Hades is cast into the Lake of Fire. lxxvi We believe it is imperative for the Church to work and wait in sober watchfulness, that it may be found ready at His coming. lxxvi
Scripture References
i 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 25:10; 33:4; 119:160; John 17:17; Titus 1:2-3 ii John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16 iii Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21 iv 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Peter 1:20-21 v Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:11-12; Revelation 22:18-19 vi Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:17-19; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 14:17, 37; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 vii 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:20 viii Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 83:18; 139:1, 7-10; Isaiah 6:1; 33:10; 40:22; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:1820; Hebrews 3:4; James 2:19 ix Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 19:1; 33:9-10; 102:26-27; Psalm 104; Isaiah 14:24; Malachi 3:6; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11; James 1:17 x Romans 8:29-30; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-17; 147:5; John 6:64; Isaiah 40:13 xi Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:5-6 xii Genesis 1:1-2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; John 1:3; 5:17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; Colossians 1:16-17 xiii John 10:30; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6 xiv Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 2:12-13; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11 xv Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 8:6 xvi Exodus 3:14; John 4:24; 14:7 xvii Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 104; Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:17 xviii Psalm 8:4-6; Matthew 5:45; 6:26-32; 10:29-31 xix Matthew 6:1, 4; 10:20; John 20:17, 21; 17:1; Ephesians 1:2-3; Colossians 1:2-3 xx Romans 1:18-20; 8:29; Colossians 1:10 xxi John 6:44; Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:5 xxii Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14 xxiii John 1:1; 8:58; Philippians 2:5-6; Revelation 1:8 xxiv Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:6-7 xxv Matthew 1:20; 9:2; 12:8; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30; 14:7; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:3 xxvi Luke 19:10; Hebrews 4:15 xxvii Acts 1:9; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1 xxviii Isaiah 53:4-12; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 xxix John 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; 12:24, 1 Timothy 2:5 xxx Psalm 2:6; Acts 3:22-23; Romans 10:9-11; Hebrews 1:3, 8; 4:14; 8:2-5 xxxi Psalm 2:6; Zechariah 14:4, 16; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 11:15; 20:4 xxxii John 15:26; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 xxxiii John 16:8-11 xxxiv John 3:5; 16:14; Acts 1:5; Romans 8:2-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13 xxxv John 3:5; 14:17; Acts 19:5-6; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 12:4-31; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Hebrews 13:5; Jude 24-25 xxxvi Exodus 31:3; 1 Samuel 16:13; Joel 2:28-29; John 14:26; 16:13; Acts 2:17-18; 4:31; 6:5; 9:31; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 5:18 xxxvii Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:22; 3:14-21; 1 John 5:4 xxxviii Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7, 22; 5:1-2; 9:6; Psalm 100:3; 119:73; Isaiah 43:7; 45:12; Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9 xxxix Ecclesiastes 3:17; 12:14; Jeremiah 17:10; Romans 1:20; 3:19; Hebrews 4:13; 9:27; Revelation 20:1113 xl Genesis 5:1; 9:6; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-18, 23; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9 xli Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:30-31; Romans 13:8-10 xlii Psalm 51:5; 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:31, 34-36, 41, 44 xliii Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Timothy 3:2 xliv Genesis 1:27-28; 9:1