God
We believe in one (Deut. 6:4, Isa. 45:5-6) eternal (1 Tim. 1:17), knowable (Heb. 1:1-2), sovereign God (Dan. 4:34-35). He knows all things (Psa. 139:1-4), and providentially oversees all things (Mt. 10:29-31). He is merciful (Exod. 34:6), and just (Acts 17:31), loving (1 Jn. 4:8), and holy (Rev. 4:8), great in power (Ps. 147:5) and good in purpose (Rom. 8:28). His glory is our chief concern (1 Cor. 10:31).
Trinity
We
believe in one God who exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit (Mt. 28:19). All three are uncreated, coeternal, and equal in
power, glory, and honor. They are rightly worshiped as the one true
God–three in one, and one in three (Rev. 22:13, Acts 5:3-4).
Scripture
We
believe, that while God has revealed himself in his creation (Ps.
19:1-6, Rom. 1:18-20), he has spoken to us most clearly in his word (Jn.
14:25-26, Deut. 6:6-7). The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
are breathed out by God, holy, complete, and entirely without error in
the original manuscripts (2 Tim. 3:16, Jn. 10:35, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The
Bible is our final authority in life, doctrine, and godliness (Mt. 4:4, 2
Pet. 1:3-4).
Creation
We
believe God created the entire universe out of nothing (Gen. 1:1, Heb.
11:3). Man and woman were the crown of God’s good creation, being
created in his own image (Gen. 1:26-27). As image-bearers, we were
created to worship God and reflect him in true knowledge, righteousness,
and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:9-10).
Fall
We
believe that Adam and Eve, our first parents, rebelled against God and
plunged themselves and all their offspring into ruin (Gen. 3:1-19).
Because of Adam’s sin, we are all guilty sinners (Rom. 5:12-21). We come
into the world with corrupt natures through and through (Ps. 51:5). We
are spiritually dead until God makes us alive in Christ (Jn. 6:44, Rom.
3:10-18, Eph. 2:1-5).
Person of Jesus Christ
We
believe Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Christ, the Messiah, the
Anointed One. We believe he is also the Son of the Living God (Mt.
16:16). He is fully man and fully God (1 Tim. 2:5, Titus 2:13). He was
born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, taught the way of God’s
kingdom, worked miracles, suffered, died, and (bodily) rose again (1
Cor. 15:1-8).
Work of Jesus Christ
We
believe Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and died a shameful death
that we might be counted righteous and forgiven of our sins (2 Cor.
5:21). He was our sacrificial substitute (1 Pet. 3:18). He defeated the
devil (Rev. 12:9), removed our guilt (Isa. 53:4-6), and became a curse
for us (Gal. 3:13), bearing the weight of God’s wrath (1 Jn. 1:8-2:2).
Salvation
We
believe that we are justified–declared righteous before God–through
faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone (Gal. 2:16). The only way
(Jn. 14:6) to be adopted into God’s family is through union with his
Son, Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3-6).
Holy Spirit
We
believe the Holy Spirit, working through the word, supernaturally
converts (regenerates) the hearts of God’s people by making alive what
was spiritually dead (Titus 3:5, 1 Pet. 1:23). The Spirit convicts us of
sin (Jn. 16:8-11), leads us to repentance (Eze. 36:26-27), causes us to
grow in holiness (2 Cor. 3:18), seals us for the day of redemption that
we might be assured of our salvation (Eph. 1:13-14), and equips us with
spiritual gifts for the building up of the body (1 Cor. 12:7).
Church
We
believe the church is the communion of God’s people drawn from every
tribe, language, people, and nation (Eph. 2:11-12, Rev. 5:9-10). This
invisible body, of which Christ Jesus is the head, exists locally, and
imperfectly, as the visible church. Jesus Christ has given his church
two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Mt. 28:19-20, 1 Cor.
11:23-26).
Marks and Mission
We
believe God’s people should be marked by Christlikeness (Eph. 5:1-2),
prayerfulness (Rom. 12:12), joyful obedience (John 14:15), love of God
and love of neighbor (Mt. 22:37-44). We believe the mission of the
church is to make disciples by declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ in
the power of the Spirit to the glory of God the Father (Mt. 28:19-20).
As salt and light (Mt. 5:13-16), we seek to save the lost (1 Cor.
9:19-23), love others in word and deed (1 Pet. 4:11), work for
righteousness and justice (Amos 5:24), and care for the hurting and
needy (1 Jn. 3:16-18).
Last Things
We
believe Jesus Christ will return to earth personally, visibly, and
bodily as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Acts 1:11). At his appearing
the dead shall be raised and the living and the dead will be judged (1
Cor. 15:20-28). The wicked and unbelieving will be consigned to eternal
punishment (Rev. 20:10, Rev. 14:15). Those belonging to Jesus will have
eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth and live in
ever-increasing joy to the glory of God (Mt. 25:21, Rev. 21:1-5).