Statement of Faith

God 

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. 

The Bible 

We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. 

The Human Condition 

We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed. 

Jesus Christ 

We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. 

The Work of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. 

The Holy Spirit 

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. 

The Church 

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. 

Christian Living

We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. 

Christ’s Return 

We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. 

Response and Eternal Destiny 

We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

Doctrinal Distinctives 

Eternal Security (Perseverance)

Every converted person is kept by God’s power forever secure in Christ and will demonstrate their conversion by producing spiritual fruit. All Christians are called to examine themselves to be sure they are in the faith. (Mat. 7:16-20; John 10:27-30; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 John 3:5-9). 

Spiritual Gifts

The Holy Spirit sovereignly gives spiritual gifts to every believer to build up the body of Christ. Each believer should discover and use their unique gifts.

The Christian life is supernatural, and God continues to work miraculously. There are, however, many questions regarding the ‘sign gifts’ (healing, prophecy and tongues). We are cautious when someone claims to have these gifts. These are often misunderstood and misused. For this reason, we do not practice the ‘sign gifts’ during our corporate gatherings. We seek to follow the biblical principles of organization and order. 

(Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 14:26-33, 40; 2 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-16). 

Gender Roles in the Church (Complementarianism)

God equips and uses both men and women in ministry, and spiritual gifts are distributed without regard for gender. While men and women are equal in worth and value, only men are to hold the leadership roles of pastor and elder in the church. (Acts 2:17-18, Galatians 3:28, 1 Timothy 2:11-14).

God’s Plan Through the Ages

God progressively reveals Himself throughout human history. This progressive revelation brings changes in how we relate and respond to God in obedience. In the past God related to the nation of Israel as His people and will fulfill all his promises. Now God relates to the Church as His people. Jesus Christ always has been and always will be the only means of salvation throughout the ages. (John 1:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:15-25; Eph. 2:11-3:10; Heb. 1:1, 7:18-19).

Believer’s Baptism

Baptism is a public identification with Jesus Christ. The symbolic act of going under the water pictures death with Christ, and the rising out of the water pictures being resurrected to new life. Baptism is encouraged after a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. However, the act of baptism does not impart salvation. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 8:12; Romans 6:3-4).

Premillennialism 

Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return to earth to establish his Millennial Kingdom at the conclusion of the Tribulation. This Kingdom will end with a brief Satanic rebellion. After Satan’s defeat, believers will enter the eternal state. (Revelation 20:1-15). 

Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender

Marriage is ordained by God to be a holy union between one man and one woman. It is a covenant relationship meant to last until the death of the husband or wife. Sexual intimacy is only appropriate within marriage. 

God created people to be male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders reflect God’s glorious image. It is inappropriate and dishonoring to God to reject or seek to change one’s biological gender. Gender identity is established by a normative relationship between gender and biological sex at birth. Individuals of biological gender ambiguity at birth deserve special consideration and grace from the church. (Gen 1:26-27, 2:20-24; Matt. 19:3-9; 1 Cor. 7:1-3; Heb.13:4)