Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

We believe that Scripture, the Bible’s sixty-six books, is God’s powerful and meaningful self-expression, the very Word of God, supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit, inerrant in the original form, and authoritative for mankind.

2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:13, John 10:35, John 17:17

The Godhead (Trinity)

We believe there is only one living and true God, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons exist eternally; equal and the same in substance, nature, power, and glory; though distinguished by their personal properties as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:1-3, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4-6

Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is God incarnate, begotten before ages of the Father in the Godhead, born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man, and sinless. We believe in His miracles, in His atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of God where He intercedes and advocates for believers. We eagerly await His return and reign, in fulfillment of the sovereign, eternal plan of God.

John 1:1-5, 5:23, Colossians 1:15-17, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-3, 1 John 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 22:20

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is a divine person, not merely a force, equal with God the Father and God the Son. He indwells, gifts, and empowers followers of Jesus to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in daily life.

John 14:16-17; 16:8-11, Galatians 5:22-23

Man and Sin

We believe God created man sinless and perfect in His image, but man willfully chose to sin by disobeying God, and fell from that place of perfection into a condition of spiritual depravity. All mankind stands guilty before God, deserving of death, hell, and eternal separation from God.

Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 5:12-19

Salvation

We believe God provides salvation, the only escape from the death sentence, wholly by His work, availed of by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, evidenced by repentance from sin and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:47, Romans 8:16, 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7

Justification and Sanctification

We believe that upon salvation, the Christian is justified. In justification, sin is imputed onto Christ’s cross and the righteousness of Christ is imputed onto His follower. Justification results in sanctification—a life of progressive holiness, separated from evil and dedicated to God. Sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit in connection with spiritual disciplines.

Philippians 3:9-15, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Philippians 2:12-13

The Church

We believe the local church is a committed group of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit, equal in rank and privilege, and subject to the Word of God. On all matters of worship, spiritual edification, government, policy, and discipline, the will of the local church, as led by Scripture, is final.

Matthew 16:18-19, Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Hebrews 10:24-25

Marriage

We believe marriage is a God-ordained, exclusive relationship, a lifelong faithful union between one man and one woman, biologically at birth. The purpose of the relationship between husband and wife is to parallel the relationship between Christ and the church.

Genesis 2:24-25, Matthew 19:4-5, Ephesians 5:23-20

Evangelism and Judgment

We believe Christ commanded all believers to proclaim the gospel throughout the world, and disciple people to obey His Word. This is of eternal importance, for all face final judgment—the saved to everlasting life and the lost to everlasting damnation.

Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:47-48, Revelation 20:11-15

Christ’s Return

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 20:4–6,11–15