WHAT WE BELIEVE • In Essential Beliefs — We have Unity. “There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...” Eph. 4:4-6
• In Non-Essential Beliefs — We have Liberty. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
• In All Our Beliefs — We Show Charity. “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph)
The church is "the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). It is the responsibility of every member of the church to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). God's truth has always been questioned, attacked, and perverted. The Bible warns us that such deception will continue, and history has demonstrated the accuracy of these warnings. It is no wonder, then, that in our day, truth is rare while error is rampant.
We offer this statement of faith, not as something new or profound, not as a response to any single system of false doctrine, but rather as a simple and sincere attempt to proclaim and defend God's inerrant Word.
We pray that the reader, whether in agreement or disagreement, will emulate the fair-minded people of Berea who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.(2 Timothy 2:15)
1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the Word of God. These books are without error in the originals. 1 All Scripture is inerrant, infallible, and transmitted through human authors by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2 Scripture alone* is the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. The authority of Scripture is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men. 3 1 Psalm 119:9; Matthew 4:4; Acts 20:32; Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21; 2 Peter 1:2-4; 3:15-16 2 Psalm 19:7-9; 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21 3 Psalm 138:2; Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:3-5, 20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 John 9-11
2. THE TRINITY AND GOD
There is one true and living God 1 who exists in three eternally distinct persons: 2 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 3 These three are one in being, 4 united in purpose, 5 and equally worthy of glory and adoration. 6 God is invisible, eternal, present everywhere at all times (omni-present), all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), unchanging, dependent upon none, sovereign, righteous, holy, just, gracious, loving, merciful, patient, and good. 7
1 Deuteronomy 4:39; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 16:15-16 2 Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:4-6; Matthew 3:16-17 3 The Father: Matthew 3:16-17; 6:9; John 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 24-25; The Son: Matthew 1:23; 3:16-17; John 1:1, 14; 5:19-23; 8:58 (cf. Exodus 3:14); John 10:31-33; 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 25; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; 3:4, 6 (cf. Isaiah 43:11; 45:21); Hebrews 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:1; The Holy Spirit: Matthew 1:18 (cf. Luke 1:35); John 14:16-17; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 12:11; Hebrews 10:15-17 (cf. Jeremiah 31:33-34) 4 Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22-24; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 3:16 5 Isaiah 42:1; 48:16; 61:1-3; Matthew 28:19; John 5:19, 30; 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Titus 3:4-6 6 Matthew 12:31-32; John 5:23; 17:5; Hebrews 1:6; 10:29; Revelation 4:11 (cf. Psalm 104:30); Revelation 5:12-14 7 invisible—John 1:18; 4:24; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:12; eternal— Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17; omnipresent—Psalm 139:7-12; Proverbs 15:3; almighty—Psalm 62:11; 65:6; Isaiah 40:15, 28; Psalm 115:3; all-knowing—Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:13-14, 28; 66:18; Romans 16:27; unchanging—Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17; dependent upon none—Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:25; sovereign—1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 47:2; 115:3; Proverbs 21:1; Lamentations 3:37-38; Isaiah 46:9-11; John 19:10-11; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:15; righteous—Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:8; Psalm 89:14; 92:15; John 17:25; Hebrews 1:8-9; holy—Leviticus 11:44; Psalm 99:3, 5, 9; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; just—Psalm 89:14; Romans 3:26; 1 Peter 3:18; gracious—Exodus 34:6; Jonah 4:2; Ephesians 1:5-8; 2:4-7; 1 Peter 2:3; loving—John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 3:1; 4:8-10 (cf. Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:10-15; Hebrews 12:5-8); merciful—Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 136; Lamentations 3:22-23 (cf. Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:15); patient—Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; Jonah 4:2; Romans 2:4; 9:22-23; 2 Peter 3:9; good—Exodus 34:6; Psalm 34:8; Luke 18:19
3. CREATION
God created all that now exists in six days, from nothing, and it was all very good. 1 The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit acted together in the work of creation. 2 Out of all living things, only man was created in God's image. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself. 3
God orders and directs His universe in every detail. 1 Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose. 2 In God's infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people, 3 and for His glory. 4
God made Adam perfect, holy, and upright, 1 appointing him representative and head of the human race. 2 He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God's command. 3 By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt sinful nature. 4
The fall brought every man into a state of total depravity, meaning every dimension of his being is distorted by sin. 1 Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master, 2 God as an enemy, 3 and the message of the cross as foolishness. 4 Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to: love God; keep His laws; understand the gospel; repent of sin; or trust in Christ. 5
God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins. 1 Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, 2 Jesus was and is both God and man. 3 He was tempted in all things yet without sin 4, living the perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people. 5
1 Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 3:16-17; 1 John 3:5 2 Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35 3 John 1:1, 14; 20:28-29; Romans 5:15, 18-19; 9:5; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49; Philippians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2:17 4 Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-28; 1 Peter 2:17-19; 1 John 3:5 5 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5
8. THE DEATH OF CHRIST
Christ died on the cross 1 as the perfect sacrifice for sin, 2 forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement 3 for His people. 4
On the third day, Jesus rose bodily from the grave. 1 The resurrection affirms the deity and authority of Christ 2 and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection. 3
Jesus ascended into heaven 1 to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. 2 He is the one and only Mediator between God and men, 3 and Head of His church. 4 He intercedes forever on behalf of His people 5 and rules over all things for their sake. 6
Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women to eternal life 1 as an act of His free grace alone*. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit. 2 In the unsearchable realm of God's sovereign will 3, all men remain responsible beings, subject to God's commands to repent and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ. 4
To accomplish God's redemptive purpose, 1 the Holy Spirit works effectively through the gospel of Christ, 2 regenerating elect sinners 3 and drawing them irresistibly to repentance and saving faith . 4
1 Isaiah 55:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-13, 16 (cf. Luke 19:10); Matthew 1:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 2 Romans 1:16; 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:14 3 Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:5; James 1:18 4 John 6:37, 44-45, 65; 10:16; Acts 2:39; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Hebrews 9:15
13. JUSTIFICATION
The elect are declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ's perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness. 1 Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, 2 nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness. 3 It is granted through faith alone* 4 in the person and work of Christ alone*. 5
According to God's purpose in predestination, the justified are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. 1 All true believers direct their will and affections toward this purpose, 2 putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh 3 by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit 4 as God's Word is more fully understood and applied. 5 While sinless perfection will never be attained in this life, 6 it is a certainty in heaven. 7
1 Proverbs 4:18; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 5:23-24 2 Matthew 5:6; 7:21; John 14:15, 21; Hebrews 12:14; James 2:14-26; 2 Peter 1:5-11; 1 John 2:3-6; 3:3; 3 John 11 3 Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24; Philippians 3:14; Colossians 3:1-11 4 Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:8-14; Philippians 2:13 5 Psalm 1:1-3; 19:7-8; 119:9, 11, 133; Proverbs 2:1-9; John 17:17; Acts 20:32; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:21-25; 1 Pet. 2:1-3 6 Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Philippians 3:12-14; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8,10 7 1 Corinthians 13:9-12; Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24; Revelation 21:27
15. PERSEVERANCE
All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away. 1Perseverance is not a human accomplishment but a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes a living, growing, transforming, and enduring faith in all true believers. 2
1 John 5:24; 10:27-29; Romans 8:1-2; 28-39; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 3:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19 2 Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Jude 24
16. THE CHURCH
A local church is a body of baptized believers 1 gathering regularly to share life with Christ and each other, 2 to affirm and proclaim His gospel, 3 and to submit to His headship in doctrine and practice according to His written Word. 4 Though Christ shepherds and rules over His church as Head, 5 qualified elders are appointed to shepherd and rule as His subordinates. 6 Qualified deacons may be chosen to assist the elders in serving the body as needed. 7 Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to edify the body. 8 A local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ as represented in other true churches. 9
Baptism is the first act of Christian obedience. 1 True baptism is immersion in water, 2 symbolizing both the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life, 3 and his cleansing from sin. 4 Baptism may only be administered to those who demonstrate repentance from sin and make a credible profession of faith in Christ. 5
1 Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 31-34; 18:8 2 Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-38 3 Acts 19:3-5; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11-14 4 Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22 5 Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 16:31-34
18. THE LORD'S SUPPER
Following their baptism, Christians may, and indeed, must regularly partake of the Lord's Supper. 1 By breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. 2 Through the Lord's Supper, they affirm and celebrate their oneness, their separation from the world, and their fellowship with Christ in the New Covenant. 3
1 Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 2 Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:26 3 Matthew 26:27-28; Luke 22:20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 21
19. EVANGELISM
It is the calling of every local church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. 1 It is a priority in evangelism to unite new believers with local churches. 2
The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous. 1 The justified shall enjoy everlasting life in the presence of God in heaven, while the unjustified shall eternally endure God's wrath in hell. 2
The Old Covenant, with the Law of Moses as its core, 1 was revealed to the nation of Israel, 2 promising earthly blessings for obedience, 3 and threatening curses for disobedience. 4 The purpose of the Old Covenant was never to offer eternal life, 5 but rather to govern the life and worship of the Old Testament nation of Israel, 6 to reveal the extent of man's depravity, 7 and to foreshadow Christ and the New Covenant. 8
The New Covenant, established through the person and redemptive work of Christ, 1 provides eternal blessings which are acquired by grace through faith. 2 The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete. 3 God's final words of revelation, given through Christ and His New Testament apostles and prophets, 4 have become the authority concerning Christian conduct, and the interpretive lens through which the Old Testament must be understood and applied. 5
Christians must live for God's glory alone* 1 through their awareness and enjoyment of His Person, 2 submission to His authority, 3 and reliance upon His goodness. 4 In truth, all things that have or will transpire, serve to glorify God as their highest purpose. 5 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
1 Leviticus 10:3; Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Peter 4:11 2 Psalm 23:4; 46:1; 139:7-10, 17-18; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 16:17; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6 3 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Micah 6:8; John 15:14-16 (cf. John 15:8; Ephesians 2:10); Hebrews 12:28-29 4 Psalm 23; 18:1-3; 34:7-10; Isaiah 41:10; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Matthew 6:25-32; Luke 11:11-13; Acts 17:24-25, 28; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7; James 1:17 5 Psalm 46:10; 86:9; Malachi 1:11; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:20-21