STATEMENT OF FAITH

Preamble

The following Statement of Faith expresses this church’s understanding and interpretation of the teachings of Holy Scripture. These doctrines represent the biblical convictions that guide the preaching, teaching, ministry, and practice of this church.

We recognize that sincere, Bible-believing Christians may differ in their understanding of certain doctrines and practices addressed in this statement. Agreement with every position expressed herein is therefore not required for fellowship or membership. We welcome believers who share our faith in Jesus Christ and desire to grow in obedience to God’s Word, while maintaining a spirit of Christian love and unity regarding matters on which faithful believers may differ.

At the same time, members are expected to respect the doctrinal convictions of the church and not actively seek to undermine or create division concerning the teaching and ministry of the church. Those serving in teaching, pastoral, or other leadership roles may be expected to affirm and teach the doctrines applicable to their responsibilities.

In all matters, we affirm Holy Scripture as our final authority for faith and practice and seek to maintain both faithfulness to biblical truth and the unity of the body of Christ.

A. The Holy Scriptures

The following Statement of Faith expresses this church’s understanding

We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally and fully inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments constitute God’s complete written revelation to humanity and are to be interpreted according to their normal grammatical and historical meaning.

By the “Holy Bible” we mean the sixty-six books from Genesis through Revelation, which, as originally written, do not merely contain or convey the Word of God but are the very Word of God.

By “inspiration” we mean that the writers of Scripture were moved by the Holy Spirit so that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and, in their original writings, free from error in a manner unique to Holy Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Psalm 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Luke 24:25–27, 44–45; John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5–6; Romans 3:4; 1 Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalm 19:7–11; John 5:39, 45–47.

and interpretation of the teachings of Holy Scripture. These doctrines represent the biblical convictions that guide the preaching, teaching, ministry, and practice of this church.

In all matters, we affirm Holy Scripture as our final authority for faith and practice and seek to maintain both faithfulness to biblical truth and the unity of the body of Christ.

B. Dispensationalism

We believe that the Scriptures, interpreted according to their normal and grammatical-historical meaning, reveal divinely ordered dispensations or stewardships in which God has entrusted humanity with responsibilities in the outworking of His purposes. These dispensations are not different ways of salvation. Salvation has always been by the grace of God through faith, according to the revelation God has given.

Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:9–18; Galatians 3:13–25; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2–10; Colossians 1:24–27; Revelation 20:2–6.

C. The Godhead

We believe that there is one living and true God, an infinite and eternal Spirit, the Creator and sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth. He is perfect in holiness and worthy of all honor, worship, confidence, and love.

We believe that within the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection yet carrying out distinct and harmonious roles in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

Exodus 20:2–3; Genesis 17:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6; John 10:30; 17:5; Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11; Philippians 2:5–6; Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

D. The Person and Work of Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became fully human without ceasing to be fully God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary to reveal God and redeem sinful humanity.

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1–2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19–21; Galatians 4:4–5; Philippians 2:5–8.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as our representative and substitutionary sacrifice and that His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead assures our justification and victory over death.

Acts 2:18–36; Romans 3:24–25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is exalted at the right hand of God, where He serves as our Great High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate.

Acts 1:9–10; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2.

E. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son and possessing the same divine nature. He was active in creation and continues to accomplish God’s purposes in the world.

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and is the supernatural Agent of regeneration. He baptizes all believers into the body of Christ and indwells and seals them until the day of redemption.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher who enables believers to understand and apply the Scriptures and that every believer should seek to live continually under His filling and influence.

We believe that God sovereignly gives spiritual gifts to believers for the building up of the body of Christ. God calls and equips pastors, teachers, evangelists, and other believers so that the church may be equipped for the work of ministry.

We believe that the miraculous sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary and are not normative gifts for the church today. Speaking in tongues was never the universal or necessary evidence of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. We believe that ultimate deliverance from sickness and death awaits the resurrection, while affirming that God may answer prayer and bring physical healing according to His sovereign will.

John 14:16–17, 26; 15:26–27; 16:8–13; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:1–3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; Acts 5:30–32; Ephesians 1:13–14; Romans 8:14, 16, 26–27; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2.

F. The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God, but through Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. As a result, every person is a sinner and, apart from the grace of God, is unable to remedy his or her lost condition.

Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:22–23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–3; 4:14–19.

G. The Freeness of Salvation

We believe that salvation begins with God’s grace and His sovereign choice. At the same time, the good news of salvation is freely offered to everyone through the Gospel. Every person is called to respond to the Gospel with genuine repentance and faith, trusting and obeying Christ.

No sinner is beyond God’s power or willingness to save. The only thing that keeps a person from salvation is his or her own sinful nature and willing rejection of the Gospel. Those who reject God’s gracious offer of salvation are therefore accountable for that rejection.

1 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:28–29; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1, 6–7; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Acts 2:38; John 3:15–16, 18, 36; 1 Timothy 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4–5; John 5:40.

H. Justification, Repentance, and Faith

We believe that justification is the gracious act of God by which He pardons the sins of those who believe in Christ and declares them righteous. Justification is not based upon any works of righteousness we have done but is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is credited to us.

Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 8:1; 5:1, 9; Titus 3:5–7; Romans 4:1–8; Hebrews 10:38.

We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces, brought about in our hearts by the life-giving Spirit of God. Through His work, we are convicted of our sin, guilt, helplessness, and need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

In true repentance, we turn from our sins and turn to God with genuine sorrow, confessing our sin and asking for His mercy. At the same time, by faith we wholeheartedly receive and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37–38; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:9–13; Psalm 51:1–4, 7; Isaiah 55:6–7; Luke 12:8.

I. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

We believe that all who have genuinely been redeemed by Christ are kept by God’s power and are eternally secure in Christ.

John 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, 38–39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; 1 Peter 1:4–5.

We believe that believers may enjoy assurance of salvation through the promises and testimony of God’s Word. This assurance does not provide an excuse for sinful living; rather, the grace that saves us also calls us to lives of holiness and obedience.

Romans 13:13–14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11–15.

J. The Church

We believe that a local church is a congregation of baptized believers united by a covenant of faith and fellowship in the Gospel. The church observes the ordinances established by Christ, is governed by His Word, and exercises the spiritual gifts, responsibilities, and privileges entrusted to it by God. We recognize the biblical offices of pastor and deacon, whose qualifications and responsibilities are set forth in Scripture.

We believe that the mission of the church is expressed in the Great Commission: to make disciples of all nations, baptize believers, teach them to obey the commands of Christ, strengthen the church, and proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and that every local church is ultimately accountable to Him and subject to the authority of His Word. Each local church has the right and responsibility of self-government, free from the control of any external ecclesiastical hierarchy or organization.

We believe it is biblical for local churches to cooperate voluntarily with other churches and Christian organizations for the advancement of the Gospel, missions, benevolence, and other worthy purposes. The nature and extent of such cooperation shall be determined by the local church in accordance with Scripture.

Acts 2:41–42; 6:5–6; 14:23; 15:22–23; 20:17–28; Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 12:4–11; Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:11; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; 1 Peter 5:1–4.

K. Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism publicly portrays the believer’s identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior and symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to new life.

We believe that baptism is a prerequisite for church membership and participation in the Lord’s Supper. In the Lord’s Supper, believers use bread and the fruit of the vine to remember together the sacrificial death of Christ and should participate with reverence and appropriate self-examination.

Acts 8:36; Matthew 3:6, 16; 28:19–20; John 3:23; Romans 6:4–5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–28.

L. Separation and Christian Living

We believe that Christians are called to lives of holiness and devotion to Christ, seeking to live in a manner that honors their Savior and reflects the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Believers should avoid sinful practices and influences that compromise their testimony, hinder their fellowship with God, or draw them away from faithful obedience to His Word.

At the same time, Christians are called to engage the world with grace and truth, demonstrating the love of Christ and sharing the Gospel with those who do not know Him.

Romans 12:1–2; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 5:9–10; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Galatians 5:16–25; 1 John 2:15–17.

M. The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in the blessed hope of the personal and imminent return of Jesus Christ to receive His Church prior to the seven-year Tribulation period. At the conclusion of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom as promised to the nation of Israel.
Psalm 89:3–4; Daniel 2:31–45; Zechariah 14:4–11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 19:11–16; 20:1–6.

N. The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all people: the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.

Matthew 25:46; John 5:28–29; 11:25–26; Revelation 20:5–6, 12–13.

We believe that at death the souls of the redeemed are present with the Lord in conscious joy as they await the resurrection, when body and soul will be reunited and glorified forever with the Lord.

Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 20:4–6.

We believe that unbelievers remain after death in conscious punishment as they await the final resurrection and judgment. They will appear before the Great White Throne and experience everlasting conscious punishment rather than annihilation.

Matthew 25:41–46; Mark 9:43–48; Luke 16:19–26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Jude 6–7; Revelation 20:11–15.

O. The Personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is a real personal being who rebelled against God and now opposes God and His purposes. He is the tempter of humanity, the enemy of God and His people, the accuser of believers, and a powerful influence behind deception and spiritual evil in the world.

We believe that Satan is a defeated enemy whose final judgment is certain. Through the victory of Jesus Christ, he will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels.

Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:14–17; Revelation 12:9–10; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; 2 Thessalonians 2:8–11; Revelation 19:11–16; 20:1–3, 10; Matthew 25:41.

P. Creation

We believe that God created the universe in six literal twenty-four-hour days. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as interpretations of origins inconsistent with our understanding of Scripture.

We believe that the Genesis account of creation describes God’s direct creative work and is to be understood as historical rather than merely allegorical. Humanity was created directly in God’s image and likeness and did not arise through an evolutionary process. We likewise believe that God directly created the various forms of plant and animal life according to their kinds.

Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26–27; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23–26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 10:6.

Q. Civil Government

We believe that civil government has been established by God for the good order of human society. Christians should pray for governing authorities and honor and obey legitimate civil authority except when obedience would require disobedience to God.

We believe that Jesus Christ alone is Lord of the conscience and that our ultimate allegiance belongs to Him.

Romans 13:1–7; Exodus 18:21–22; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19–20; 23:5; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13–14, 17; Daniel 3:17–18; Philippians 2:10–11.

R. Human Sexuality

We believe that God has established sexual intimacy as a gift to be expressed within marriage between a man and a woman, as taught in Holy Scripture. Sexual activity outside of this covenant is contrary to God’s design.

We therefore believe that sexual practices Scripture identifies as sinful—including adultery, fornication, homosexual sexual activity, incest, and pornography—are contrary to God’s purposes for human sexuality.

Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1–30; Romans 1:26–29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8; Hebrews 13:4.

S. Marriage and Family

We believe that marriage and the family are ordained by God and are foundational institutions for human flourishing and the nurturing of faith. Marriage is a sacred covenant in which husband and wife are called to love, honor, serve, and remain faithful to one another, reflecting Christlike love, sacrifice, and commitment.

We believe that husbands and wives are equal in worth and dignity before God and are called to honor and care for one another in accordance with biblical principles. Christian homes should be characterized by love, grace, forgiveness, prayer, faithfulness, and mutual devotion to Christ.

We believe that children are a gift from God and that parents bear the primary responsibility for their spiritual instruction, loving discipline, care, and guidance. Parents should seek to model a genuine Christian faith before their children and teach them the truths of Scripture, while recognizing that each person must ultimately respond personally to the Gospel.

We believe that the church should strengthen and encourage marriages and families, minister compassionately to those experiencing difficulty or brokenness, and provide a spiritual family in which believers of every stage and circumstance of life are loved, discipled, and encouraged to follow Christ.

Genesis 2:18–24; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Psalm 127:3–5; Ephesians 5:21–33; 6:1–4; Colossians 3:18–21; 1 Timothy 5:8.

T. Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that marriage is a sacred covenant established by God and intended to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman. Because of the seriousness of the marriage covenant, Christians should seek reconciliation and restoration whenever reasonably possible and should not pursue divorce lightly.

Scripture recognizes that because of human sin and brokenness, divorce may occur and provides biblical grounds under which divorce and remarriage may be permissible. In such circumstances, the church should respond with biblical truth, compassion, grace, and a desire for restoration.

We believe that divorced and remarried persons may faithfully serve Christ and His church. When considering any person for the offices of pastor or deacon, the church should carefully evaluate the biblical qualifications for that office, including the individual’s present character, marital faithfulness, spiritual maturity, reputation, and the circumstances of any previous marriage or divorce. A past divorce, by itself, should not automatically disqualify an otherwise biblically qualified person from consideration.

Malachi 2:14–17; Matthew 19:3–12; 1 Corinthians 7:10–15; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.

U. Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that human life is sacred because every person is created in the image of God, and that human life should be protected and valued from conception until natural death. We therefore oppose elective abortion as the intentional taking of innocent human life.

We also believe that the grace and forgiveness of God are available through Jesus Christ to all who repent and believe, including those who have participated in or been affected by abortion. The church should uphold the sanctity of human life while ministering with truth, compassion, grace, and practical support to those facing difficult circumstances.

Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41–44; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9.

V. Missions

We believe that Jesus Christ has given His Church the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples among all nations, peoples, tribes, and languages.

As ambassadors for Christ, believers and churches should actively seek opportunities to take the Gospel to people both near and far, using appropriate means to fulfill Christ’s command to make disciples throughout the world.

Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46–48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20.

W. Lawsuits Between Believers

We believe that Christians should seek to resolve personal disputes with one another according to biblical principles of reconciliation, forgiveness, and, when appropriate, mediation within the church rather than hastily resorting to civil litigation. Scripture calls believers to pursue peace and to seek resolution of ordinary disputes within the Christian community whenever reasonably possible.

This principle does not prohibit believers from reporting criminal conduct to civil authorities, cooperating with law enforcement, protecting themselves or others from abuse or harm, or seeking appropriate legal remedies in matters involving criminal conduct, abuse, fraud, serious negligence, or other circumstances in which civil authorities have a legitimate God-ordained responsibility.

1 Corinthians 6:1–8; Matthew 18:15–17; Romans 12:18; 13:1–4; Ephesians 4:31–32.

X. Giving

We believe that every Christian is a steward of the resources God has entrusted to him or her and should faithfully support the work of the local church.

While the tithe provides an important biblical example of giving, we do not believe that the Mosaic requirement of tithing is binding upon Christians under the New Covenant. Rather, believers are called to give willingly, regularly, generously, and cheerfully, according to how God has prospered them. Christian giving should support the ministry of the local church, provide for those in need, and advance the spread of the Gospel.

Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9–10; Acts 4:34–37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17–18; 1 John 3:17.

Y. The Priesthood of All Believers

We believe that every believer in Jesus Christ is a member of a holy priesthood and has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Great High Priest. No human priest or other earthly mediator is necessary for a believer to approach God in prayer, worship, confession, or fellowship.

We believe that every Christian has the privilege and responsibility to know God personally, to study and obey His Word, to pray for others, to worship and serve Him, and to proclaim the Gospel. All believers are equal in their standing before God and are gifted by the Holy Spirit for service within the body of Christ.

We also believe that God has called pastors and other church leaders to teach, shepherd, equip, and provide spiritual leadership to the church. Their authority is derived from and remains subject to the Word of God; they do not stand between believers and God as mediators of His grace.

1 Peter 2:5, 9; Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–22; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 1:5–6; Ephesians 4:11–12; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7.