What We Believe

The Triune God

We believe in only one God, eternally existing in three equally divine Persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This one true and living God is holy, sovereign, and glorious. As the Creator and sustainer of all things, visible and invisible, He is worthy of our complete adoration, praise, and obedience. 

Key references: Deuteronomy 4:39, Isaiah 44:6, John 1:1-3, John 4:24, John 14:7, John 15:26, Colossians 1:15-19, 1 Timothy 1:17, Hebrews 1 

Man

We believe that God created man--male and female--in his own image, as the crowning glory of creation. As image-bearers of God, all people have inherent dignity and worth. Though created to enjoy perfect fellowship with God, man fell to temptation and rebelled against Him. Now, depraved and estranged from our Maker, we live under the dominion of sin and in hostility towards God. Apart from God’s redemptive work, we are utterly incapable of returning to Him on our own. Fallen, sinful people, whatever their character or attainments, are lost and without hope apart from salvation in Christ.

Key references: Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:10-12

Salvation

Salvation cannot be earned. It is a free gift of God, given to anyone who places their faith in Jesus as the hope of their salvation. Through this gift, we receive: freedom from the bondage of sin, complete forgiveness, the imputed righteousness of Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, adoption into God’s family, and eternal life in heaven. Though salvation is an unmerited gift, salvation is always accompanied by genuine repentance and obedience to God. Our good works of righteousness are not the basis of our faith, but the necessary proof of it. If we reject this gift of salvation, we remain at enmity with God and will endure His just punishment for our sin. 

Key references: Romans 3:23-26, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:11, Galatians 4:4-7, Ephesians 2:1-10, James 2:17, 1 John 1:5-9, 1 John 2:3-6, Colossians 1:21-23, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:3-4

The Authority of Scripture

Though God is eternally glorious and beyond our finite understanding, He has revealed truth about Himself in Holy Scripture. As words inspired and preserved by God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are authoritative, inerrant, trustworthy, and good. Each book is to be interpreted according to its context and purpose, and all believers are exhorted to study and live in obedience to the Scriptures. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded, 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.

Key references: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 19:7-8, Psalm 119:160, Hebrews 4:12

The Gospel

The chasm between God and man could never be crossed by our own efforts. But because God so loved the world, He sent His only Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sin. Jesus—God incarnate—triumphed over every temptation and walked in total righteousness. He died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice, bearing the wrath that our sins deserved. Three days later, he rose again, proving His victory over sin and death, and promising hope to everyone who turns to Him for salvation. The good news of the gospel is entirely founded upon the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Key references: John 3:16-18, John 4:6, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Isaiah 53, John 14:15-21

The Church

Those who receive the gift of salvation are called into God’s family—the Church. The Church exists to worship, serve, and glorify God, and to bear witness to the gospel in word and deed. By meeting together, loving one another, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and devoting ourselves to good works, we show the world that we are His disciples. 

Key references: John 13:34-35, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25