Our Foundational Convictions
The Scriptures
We believe the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, fully trustworthy and without error in all that they affirm, and the supreme authority for faith and practice. The Bible is God’s written revelation of Himself and His redemptive purposes, and it is sufficient to guide what we believe and how we live. All church doctrine, theology, and practice must be tested by the full counsel of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 19:7–11; Psalm 119:105; Acts 17:11)
We believe the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, fully trustworthy and without error in all that they affirm, and the supreme authority for faith and practice. The Bible is God’s written revelation of Himself and His redemptive purposes, and it is sufficient to guide what we believe and how we live. All church doctrine, theology, and practice must be tested by the full counsel of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 19:7–11; Psalm 119:105; Acts 17:11)
God The Father
We believe there is but one God who exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or being. God the Father reigns with providential care over all creation, according to His perfect wisdom and sovereign will. We believe that by His Word and for His glory, God is the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfections and being infinite in them all. God is faithful, working all things according to His purposes for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He has made all things for the praise of His glory and intends for mankind to live in fellowship with Him. In His love and mercy, He provides salvation from sin and death through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 103:19; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11–12)
We believe there is but one God who exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or being. God the Father reigns with providential care over all creation, according to His perfect wisdom and sovereign will. We believe that by His Word and for His glory, God is the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfections and being infinite in them all. God is faithful, working all things according to His purposes for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He has made all things for the praise of His glory and intends for mankind to live in fellowship with Him. In His love and mercy, He provides salvation from sin and death through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 103:19; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11–12)
God The Son
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man, possessing both divine and human natures without sin. Through Him all things came into being. He was before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Jesus is perfect in nature, teaching, and obedience. Jesus is the only Savior—the only one who can reconcile sinful mankind to God. He died on the cross as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, was buried, and bodily rose from the dead on the third day, victorious over sin and death. He appeared to His disciples and to more than five hundred witnesses, and over a period of forty days gave many convincing proofs of His resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for His people and reigns as Lord over all. He will personally and visibly return to fulfill His kingdom and God’s redemptive purposes. (Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1–5, 14; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Acts 1:3, 9–11; Ephesians 1:20–23)
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man, possessing both divine and human natures without sin. Through Him all things came into being. He was before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Jesus is perfect in nature, teaching, and obedience. Jesus is the only Savior—the only one who can reconcile sinful mankind to God. He died on the cross as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, was buried, and bodily rose from the dead on the third day, victorious over sin and death. He appeared to His disciples and to more than five hundred witnesses, and over a period of forty days gave many convincing proofs of His resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for His people and reigns as Lord over all. He will personally and visibly return to fulfill His kingdom and God’s redemptive purposes. (Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1–5, 14; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Acts 1:3, 9–11; Ephesians 1:20–23)
God The Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and is the divine Person who inspired the Scriptures and works to accomplish God’s purposes in the world. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, revealing mankind’s need for Jesus Christ. He brings about regeneration, giving new life to those who believe in Christ, and indwells, seals, and sanctifies believers. He enlightens believers' minds to understand and apply God’s Word, unites them in Christ, and empowers them for godly living, spiritual service, and the proclamation of the gospel. He works in and through the Church to glorify Christ and accomplish God’s purposes. (John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 2:10–14; Ephesians 1:13–14; Titus 3:5)
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and is the divine Person who inspired the Scriptures and works to accomplish God’s purposes in the world. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, revealing mankind’s need for Jesus Christ. He brings about regeneration, giving new life to those who believe in Christ, and indwells, seals, and sanctifies believers. He enlightens believers' minds to understand and apply God’s Word, unites them in Christ, and empowers them for godly living, spiritual service, and the proclamation of the gospel. He works in and through the Church to glorify Christ and accomplish God’s purposes. (John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 2:10–14; Ephesians 1:13–14; Titus 3:5)
Man and The Fall
We believe God created mankind in His own image, creating humanity exclusively as male and female and giving every person inherent dignity and worth. Through Adam's sin, all people inherit a sinful nature and commit sin; thereby, sin and death entered the world. As a result, all are separated from God, stand under His righteous judgment, and are unable to save themselves or restore their relationship with Him. The Fall has marred human nature with sin, yet every individual inherently possesses dignity as an image-bearer of God, living under a permanent moral obligation and accountability to their Creator. Therefore, all people need the forgiveness and salvation that God provides through Jesus Christ alone. (Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3:1–19; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:10–23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12)
We believe God created mankind in His own image, creating humanity exclusively as male and female and giving every person inherent dignity and worth. Through Adam's sin, all people inherit a sinful nature and commit sin; thereby, sin and death entered the world. As a result, all are separated from God, stand under His righteous judgment, and are unable to save themselves or restore their relationship with Him. The Fall has marred human nature with sin, yet every individual inherently possesses dignity as an image-bearer of God, living under a permanent moral obligation and accountability to their Creator. Therefore, all people need the forgiveness and salvation that God provides through Jesus Christ alone. (Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3:1–19; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:10–23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12)
The Gospel
We believe the gospel is the good news of God’s saving work through Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, was buried, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to the Father. Christ’s death is a substitutionary atonement and a sacrifice that satisfies God’s wrath and righteous judgment against sin. Through His death and resurrection, God demonstrates His love, extends His grace, and provides forgiveness and reconciliation for all who trust in Christ. Jesus Christ is the only Savior; salvation is found in Him alone, and there is no other name by which we must be saved. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23–26; Romans 5:8–9; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21; Acts 4:12)
We believe the gospel is the good news of God’s saving work through Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, was buried, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to the Father. Christ’s death is a substitutionary atonement and a sacrifice that satisfies God’s wrath and righteous judgment against sin. Through His death and resurrection, God demonstrates His love, extends His grace, and provides forgiveness and reconciliation for all who trust in Christ. Jesus Christ is the only Savior; salvation is found in Him alone, and there is no other name by which we must be saved. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23–26; Romans 5:8–9; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21; Acts 4:12)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the free gift of God provided by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. This eternal redemption was objectively secured by Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit applies it by regenerating dead hearts, resulting in a personal faith that inevitably produces visible, biblical repentance and a life of self-denying discipleship. While neither works nor repentance can save, true justification always bears the fruit of obedience. Finally, we believe that all true believers are permanently secure in Christ, being kept by God’s sovereign grace and power unto final glorification, independent of any human effort. (Mark 8:34; John 10:27-30; Romans 1:16, 3:24-26, 6:23, 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)
We believe that salvation is the free gift of God provided by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. This eternal redemption was objectively secured by Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit applies it by regenerating dead hearts, resulting in a personal faith that inevitably produces visible, biblical repentance and a life of self-denying discipleship. While neither works nor repentance can save, true justification always bears the fruit of obedience. Finally, we believe that all true believers are permanently secure in Christ, being kept by God’s sovereign grace and power unto final glorification, independent of any human effort. (Mark 8:34; John 10:27-30; Romans 1:16, 3:24-26, 6:23, 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)
The Church
We believe the universal Church consists of all who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, with Christ Himself as its Head. A local church is a congregation of baptized believers, united by faith in the gospel and committed to worship, fellowship, discipleship, the scriptural administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and service under the lordship of Christ. The Church exists to worship and glorify God, faithfully do His will, proclaim the gospel, and make disciples of all nations. Each local church is autonomous under the authority of Scripture, responsible for following Christ in its doctrine, worship, ministry, and governance. Believers are to devote themselves to the teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, prayer, and the intentional use of their spiritual gifts. God gives leaders to equip His people for ministry, so that the whole body may grow in maturity and serve one another and the world in Christ’s name. As such, we affirm the biblical necessity of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local church. (Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:11–16)
We believe the universal Church consists of all who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, with Christ Himself as its Head. A local church is a congregation of baptized believers, united by faith in the gospel and committed to worship, fellowship, discipleship, the scriptural administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and service under the lordship of Christ. The Church exists to worship and glorify God, faithfully do His will, proclaim the gospel, and make disciples of all nations. Each local church is autonomous under the authority of Scripture, responsible for following Christ in its doctrine, worship, ministry, and governance. Believers are to devote themselves to the teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, prayer, and the intentional use of their spiritual gifts. God gives leaders to equip His people for ministry, so that the whole body may grow in maturity and serve one another and the world in Christ’s name. As such, we affirm the biblical necessity of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local church. (Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:11–16)
Last Things
We believe that God, in His own time and way, will bring the present age to its consummation. The Lord Jesus Christ will personally, visibly, and bodily return in glory, and all people will be physically raised from the dead. Christ will judge all humanity in perfect righteousness: the unrighteous will be consigned to everlasting punishment, while the redeemed will inherit eternal life. God will establish a new heaven and a new earth, completely freeing His creation from the presence of sin and death, where His people will dwell in His glorious presence forever. (Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Acts 1:11; Romans 8:19-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51–57; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–5)
We believe that God, in His own time and way, will bring the present age to its consummation. The Lord Jesus Christ will personally, visibly, and bodily return in glory, and all people will be physically raised from the dead. Christ will judge all humanity in perfect righteousness: the unrighteous will be consigned to everlasting punishment, while the redeemed will inherit eternal life. God will establish a new heaven and a new earth, completely freeing His creation from the presence of sin and death, where His people will dwell in His glorious presence forever. (Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Acts 1:11; Romans 8:19-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51–57; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–5)
Our Doctrinal Foundation
Our beliefs are grounded in Scripture. We look to the Bible as our final authority and affirm the historic Christian faith as expressed in our church's doctrinal commitments.