statement of faith

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely holy and good, eternally existing in three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is in Himself a holy, loving community. Each Person of the Godhead was at work in creation and salvation. As a result, each Person is worthy of the same worship, confidence, and obedience (Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4-5; Matt 3:16-17; 28:19-20; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2).

We believe in the holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, as the inspired and infallible Word of God and which are, therefore, inerrant in their original writings. The Scriptures reveal the will and purposes of God for salvation and are the supreme and final authority for faith and obedience. The Scriptures also illuminate the template for human relational flourishing (Psalm 119; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Peter 3:16).

We believe that God created humanity in the image of God. As a result, all humans are imbued with equally great value, dignity, and worth. However, the first humans, Adam and Eve, sinned by violating God’s command and order. The consequences were enormous in that sin entered the human race and has affected the world ever since. Humans are, therefore, inherently corrupt, born into sin, alienated from God, and storing up God’s condemnation. Yet, God made a way for forgiveness and restoration through Jesus’ death (Gen 1:26-28; Gen 3; Rom 5:12; 3:23; Eph 2:3; Col 1:21-22; John 3:16).

We believe in Jesus Christ, the God-man, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus is indeed God incarnate. He was the long-awaited Messiah, having been prophesied of old, who enacted the restorative purposes of God’s kingdom by ultimately suffering on the cross as a sacrifice for sins under the jurisdiction of Pontius Pilate. After being buried in a tomb, Jesus rose victoriously from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven where He intercedes on behalf of His people (Luke 1:26-35; 2:6-21; Col 1:19; 2:9; Phil 2:7; John 1:14; 1 Cor 15:3; Mark 15:1-16:8; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11; Rom 1:9; 8:34).

We believe that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice that secured the ransom for His people. In His death believers receive redemption and reconciliation to God by faith (John 1:29; Heb 9:26; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 2:1-10).

We believe in the Holy Spirit who glorifies the Lord Jesus by convicting the world of sin and righteousness, thereby demonstrating to humanity their need for a Savior; by regenerating dead sinners into life; by uniting believers to Christ; and by indwelling saints to seal, guide, sanctify, and equip for gospel-service (John 16:7-14; 3:5-8; Rom 6:4-5; Eph 1:13-14; 1 Cor 12:7, 11; 14:26).

We believe that the church comprises all believers everywhere, past, present, and future who have trusted in Christ as both their Savior and Lord. Believers are made holy and are united personally and collectively to Christ through the Holy Spirit. The universal church gathers into local churches through membership to communicate the gospel of the kingdom through word and deed and ultimately to move believers toward maturation. Local churches are shepherded and protected by appointed elders who are ultimately held accountable by Jesus, the chief shepherd of His flock and the Head of the church. The local church is also supported by the free will offerings of its members (Matt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 12; Eph 1:22-23; 4:12; Col 3:12; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

We believe that the church has been graced and privileged with two sacraments, otherwise known as ordinances or rites, and these are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In baptism, believers publicly declare their allegiance and dependency on Christ. Baptism represents a believer’s death and resurrection in Christ. In the Lord’s Supper, believers remember the physical nature of Christ’s life and death until He returns as well as affirm their unity with each other. As such, we partake of the Lord’s Supper weekly (Matt 26:26-29; 28:18-19; 1 Cor 10:17; 11:23-26; cf. Exod 12).

We believe in the physical return of Jesus Christ at which He will inaugurate the resurrection of the body. All humanity will stand before the judgment seat of God. Those who have trusted in Christ by faith will spend eternity in the joyful presence of the triune God. Those who have rejected Jesus will spend eternity imprisoned and under conscious punishment by God. After judging the living and the dead, God will renew the heavens and the earth. Believers find hope to persevere by looking towards these future realities (Mark 9:43; Acts 1:11; 17:31-32; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev 21:1-4, 8; 22:5).