Our Beliefs

The Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, infallible, living, and authoritative Word of God. Scripture is God-breathed and trustworthy in all ways, serving as our highest and final authority. This collection of sixty-six books was written by over 40 human authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, over a span of 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, yet it reveals one story, one universal problem, one redemptive plan, one hope, and one final victorious outcome. Through the pages of the Bible, God reveals Himself, His redemptive plan, and His will for human flourishing.

Scriptures: Psalm 19:7–11, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5-6, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:16-21

The Triune Godhead

We believe there is one true and living God who eternally and equally exists without division in the Triune Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are equal in being, power, and glory, yet diverse in personhood and roles. God is sovereign, holy, loving, and just over all His creation.

Scriptures: Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-3, John 14:16-17, John 15:26, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Peter 1:2

God the Father

We believe God the Father is the divine fountainhead of all existence. He is the source of all things, who created the heavens and the earth and all thing visible and invisible. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever present. In love, He invites people into relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ. We affirm the Westminster Confession: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” We believe all of creation exists for the primary purpose of glorifying God.

Scriptures: Genesis 1:1, Psalm 103:19, Matthew 7:11, John 1:18, John 3:16–17, John 14:6, Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:3–6, Ephesians 4:6, Hebrews 11:3

God the Son

We believe Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He is coeternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. All things were created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things

hold together. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. On earth, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is the only one to ever live a perfect and sinless life. While on earth, he was 100% God and 100% man. He was crucified for the sins of the world, buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose from the dead on the third day conquering sin, death, hell, and the grave. He ascended victoriously to the right hand of the Father and will physically return in glory for His bride, the Church.

Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 53:4-6, Matthew 1:21-23, John 1:1–14, John 1:20-28, John 3:16, Acts 1:9–11, Acts 4:12, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-3, Hebrews 13:8

God the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is fully divine and active in the world today. He produces faith and brings conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit indwells every follower of Christ and is our Advocate. He distributes spiritual gifts to all believers for the sake of serving the body and empowers them to live out the mission of God on earth. The Spirit conforms us into the image of the Son. He is the seal of our salvation guaranteeing our inheritance until the second coming of Christ.

Scriptures: John 14:16-17, John 16:7–15, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Galatians 5:22–25

Humanity

We believe humanity was created in the image of God to know Him, reflect His character, and steward His creation. God created humanity male and female according to His good design. Because of the fall in Eden, all people are born with a sinful nature and are separated from God and unable to restore themselves. Every person retains dignity and worth as God’s image-bearer but is in need of redemption, which can only come through Christ.

Scriptures: Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 9:6, Psalm 8:3-6, Psalm 139:13-14, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Ephesians 2:1–3, James 3:9

Family

All of creation exists to glorify God in every aspect of life. Some through the gift of singleness and others through the gift of marriage. We believe that singleness is a good gift designed by and given from the Lord. We agree with the Apostle Paul who describes the gift of singles as an undivided devotion to the Lord. We believe marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His Church. We believe that sex is a good gift given by God to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage. All sexual activity outside of the boundaries of marriage is sinful and against God’s perfect design. We believe the family is a

foundational institution ordained by God for the flourishing of individuals, the raising of godly generations, and the advancement of His kingdom. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are intended to have the primary responsibility of discipleship in their homes, supported and strengthened through the partnership of the local church. Children are to honor and obey their parents, for this pleases the Lord.

Scriptures: Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:24, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Psalm 127:3-5, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 6:18-7:5, 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, 32-35, Ephesians 5:22-33, Ephesians 6:1-4, Colossians 3:20

Sin

We believe sin is any failure to conform to the character and will of God in attitude, action, or nature. Through Adam’s disobedience in Eden, sin entered humanity, leaving all people spiritually dead and unable to restore themselves to God apart from His grace. Sin separates humanity from God and brings both physical and spiritual death, without hope apart from God’s grace through redemption in Christ.

Scriptures: Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:10–23, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1–3, James 4:17, 1 John 1:8-9

Salvation

We believe salvation is the free gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Through Christ’s finished work on the cross and resurrection, sinners are forgiven, justified, and reconciled to God. Salvation results in new birth and a transformed life marked by ongoing repentance and trust in Christ. Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the basis of it.

Scriptures: John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:1, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:8–10, Titus 3:5–7

The Church

We believe the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all who have trusted in Jesus for salvation. The Church exists to worship God, make disciples, love one another, and carry the gospel to the world. We affirm the importance of gathering regularly, practicing baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and living in biblical community and on mission together. Church membership is a covenant commitment in which believers joyfully identify with a local body, submit to spiritual leadership, pursue unity, and participate in the mission of the Church through faithful presence, service, and generosity.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18–20, Acts 2:42–47, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, Ephesians 4:11–16

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe Christian baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation, symbolizing union with Christ in His death and resurrection. We practice believer’s baptism by immersion. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a sacred remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and a celebration of our ongoing and ultimate hope in Him. When we partake in communion, we proclaim the Lord’s death until his return, for in His death we have found eternal life.

Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-28, Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 22:19–20, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3–5, 1 Corinthians 11:23–29, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:5, Colossians 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21

Sanctification

We believe God’s plan for all believers is to grow and mature. Sanctification is the ongoing process by which the believer becomes more like Christ. While every believer is positionally holy in Christ, the Holy Spirit actively transforms our desires, attitudes, and actions as we walk in obedience.

Scriptures: Romans 6:11–14, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 2:12–13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, Hebrews 12:14

The Great Commission

We believe Jesus commissioned His Church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all He commanded. This command shapes our entire mission and is the responsibility of the entire church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are Christ’s ambassadors, proclaiming the gospel and living as His witnesses daily.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18–20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14–15, 2 Corinthians 5:18–20

Eschatology

We believe that Jesus Christ will bodily return to earth as a conquering and victorious King. He will cast out Satan forever and judge the living and the dead. He will right every wrong and make all things new. Believers who have trusted in Christ will live forever with Him while the unrighteous will be eternally separated from God in everlasting suffering.

Scriptures: Acts 1:11, 2 Timothy 4:1, Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:5

We affirm, along with Christian churches everywhere, the Apostles’, Nicene, and Chalcedonian Creeds.