Statement of Beliefs
The following statements are doctrinal beliefs that we hold as primary issues. These are issues that we believe the Bible speaks about clearly and plainly. These beliefs are core to our thinking and shape our practice.
Biblical Authority
At the center of Christian faith and practice stands the belief that God has spoken to the world in the person and work of Jesus Christ, which is accurately and authoritatively revealed in the Christian Bible (“the Bible”, “Scripture” or “the Scriptures”). The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and sufficient Word of God and is thus the ultimate authority for life, faith and morals. Though the various theological statements of the Church reflect succinct summaries of biblical boundaries, it is the Bible itself to which we are in ultimate submission.
The Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired, and without error in the original manuscripts. It was written by men under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
Triune Godhead
There is one God who exists perfectly in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Eternal in holy existence, He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present.
(John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:2, Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17)
Humans
Every person, from conception, has been purposefully created by God and is made in His image. Therefore every human life has intrinsic value as an image-bearer of God.
(Genesis 1:26, Isaiah 43:7)
Sin
God created a world that was very good, but through Adam’s sin in the garden all humankind became separated from God. As a result, humans are born sinful, with a natural inclination towards evil and rebellion. Every person falls short of God’s perfect standard of holiness through sins of commission (doing things that God has commanded not to be done) and sins of omission (not doing things that God has commanded to be done). Sin has caused a separation from God that can only be reconciled through God’s plan of salvation.
(Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation
Because of the presence of sin in each human, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life without sin, die in our place on the cross, be buried in the grave, raise to life on the third day, and ascend to heaven where he is seated at the right hand of the Father. Christ’s death, burial and resurrection show that the punishment required of sin has been met, God’s wrath has been satisfied, and the work was sufficient to bring life to all who believe. Salvation is a free gift, by the grace of God alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. There is no other way to salvation apart from faith in Christ. It is work initiated by the Holy Spirit and accompanied by our confession of sin. The work of justification, that is to be declared righteous before God, initiates a life-long process of growing in holiness. This daily process of growing into Christ-likness is called sanctification.
(John 3:1-21, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-10, Hebrews 10:15-25)
The Church
The local church is a fellowship of regenerated members who gather for worship, edification and training. Led by biblical elders, the local church is where the gospel-taught becomes the gospel-applied. It is the platform where believers use their spiritual gifts and practice the “one-another” commands of Scripture in such a way that the world may see the love of Christ. The Local Church is God’s appointed institution for reaching the world with the hope of the Gospel.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 4:11-16, Colossians 1:18-20, Colossians 3:12-25, Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Universal Church is comprised of all believers in the entire world, throughout all history. The Local Church is a particular and contextualized expression of the larger body of Christ globally.
Last Things
Jesus will one day return visibly and bodily at which time the final judgment of all mankind will take place, and the Kingdom will be delivered to the Father. Jesus’ Kingdom has already begun with His first coming and will be fully consummated with His second coming. There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ will reign with Him in the New Heavens and New Earth. Those who reject Jesus will suffer eternally in Hell.
(Matthew 25:46, John 5:25-29, John 14:3, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1)