What We Believe

I. Scripture

We believe that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, constitute the Word of God. The Bible, in its entirety, is infallible, inerrant, and sufficient. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They must not be added to, superseded, diminished, or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. Every doctrinal formulation, whether of creed, confession, or theology, must be put to the test of the full counsel of God in Holy Scripture. Scripture alone is how we know the way of salvation. 

II. God

We believe there is one God who is Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Sovereign Lord and King over all the Universe. God is all-knowing, ever present, and unchangeable; all power resides in Him. He has existed eternally as our triune God in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is distinct and personal without division of nature, essence, or being. To Him, all the glory of the universe is due. Out of Him proceeds all truth and He is perfect in every way.

III. The Father

We believe God the Father is infinite, personal, immense and spirit; the creator of all things. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all loving. The Father reveals Himself to mankind through His son, Jesus Christ. He is the giver of mercy and comfort, and of every perfect gift. The Father predestined for salvation all those who turn to and believe in the atoning work of His Son Jesus Christ.

IV. The Son

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the Word of God, and through Him all things were created. In addition to His full divinity, He was sent by the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary becoming fully human and yet without sin. He redeemed us of our sins through the atonement by dying on a cross. He was raised again in bodily form from the dead, defeating sin and death once and for all, proving He is God. He is our mediator and intercessor. He will return at a time appointed by the Father, to reclaim His Church.

V. The Holy Spirit

We believe The Holy Spirit is the spirit of God, co-equal, co-eternal, and fully divine. Through the inspired revelation of the Holy Spirit directly, God’s Word was given through mankind for posterity; for the purpose of enlightenment through written revelation of the truth of God, for the conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and was sent to glorify Jesus Christ, to transform believers, and to complete the building of His Church. Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation.

VI. Man

We believe that man was directly created by God in His image and likeness, free of sin and endowed with a rational nature, intelligence, will, and moral responsibility to God. Human beings are created by God as either male or female, distinct sexes that are biologically defined and divinely imparted to each individual. We recognize the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Marriage is a lifelong covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

VII. Sin

We believe that, by their sin, humanity fell from intimacy with God and since Adam and Eve were the root of mankind this sin was inherited by all their descendants. Due to the effects of the fall on the mind and will, man’s spiritual condition by nature is such that he is dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to sin, deserving eternal punishment for sin, in Hell, under the wrath of God. As such, man is utterly incapable of saving himself. He does not possess the inclination, desire or ability to turn himself to God since he loves and prefers darkness rather than light. Since man is depraved by nature, and will thus inevitably make choices in accordance with that nature, his “free will” will always choose to reject God, apart from God’s grace.

VIII. Salvation

We believe that Salvation is a free gift of God received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is brought about by God the Holy Spirit regenerating our dead souls, giving us the ability and desire to understand the Word of God and to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. We are justified by faith in Jesus through His atonement on the cross bearing the penalty for our sin and satisfying the justice and wrath of God. Believers have the righteousness of Christ and are positionally holy before God. The Father calls, elects, and adopts us into His family for His Glory and our good. His grace not only initiates our salvation but also carries and preserves it to completion. The Gospel should be preached to all people.

IX. The Church

We believe that the Church exists in two forms, universal and local. The universal church is composed of regenerated believers from all nations and across all time. The local church is a group of baptized believers who associate together by faith in the Gospel and a shared covenant with one another. The church is given authority by Jesus Christ alone and submits to the delegated authority of the office of pastor/elder as qualified by scripture. The church gathers together to worship through the reading, singing, praying, preaching of the word, as well as demonstrating the word through the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that biblical discipleship and discipline is best carried out through membership in a local church. The Church is the visible representation of Christ’s Kingdom here on earth that will be fully realized upon his second coming.

X. Last Things

We believe that at the end of life the physical body returns to dust but the spirit returns immediately to God, the righteous to communion with God, the wicked to wait for final judgment. The world will end at a time and amongst exact circumstances known only to the Father. At the appointed time, Jesus will return and raise the dead. All will be judged in righteousness against God’s perfect standard. Those found in Christ will receive their reward and dwell with God for all eternity. Those found without the righteousness of Christ will be condemned to Hell and everlasting punishment.