What We Believe
Essential Doctrines
The Holy Scriptures
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We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. Written by men through the movement of the Holy Spirit, it is sufficient for all matters of doctrine and faith. It is the foundation upon which the remainder of this statement is built.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-11
God
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We believe in one true and living God, who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence, equal in power and glory, and distinct in their roles within the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Man
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We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image and that all humanity has value as image bearers. However, this image was distorted by Adam and Eve’s fall through Satan’s temptation. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Gen 1-3; Romans 3:10-18
Creation
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We believe that God is the sovereign Creator of all things. He orders and governs all things according to His holy will, for His own glory and the good of His people.
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Gen 1-2, Ephesians 1:3-6; Romans 11:36
God the Son (Jesus Christ)
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We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became fully man without ceasing to be fully God. Born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, died as a substitute to pay the penalty for sin, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will return to judge the living and the dead.
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John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:3; Acts 1:11
Work of the Holy Spirit
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We believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates sinners, convicts of sin, indwells all believers, and enables them to live godly lives. He empowers the church for ministry and seals believers for the day of redemption.
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John 3:5-8; Romans 8:9-17; Ephesians 1:13-14
Justification and Sanctification
We believe that sinners are justified by faith alone, apart from works, through the imputed righteousness of Christ. Sanctification is the lifelong process by which believers are conformed to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
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Romans 3:23-28; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 2:12-13
The Church
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We believe that the church is the body of Christ, composed of all true believers. The local church is an assembly of baptized believers who gather for worship, teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the ordinances. Christ is the Head of the church and has given qualified elders and deacons for its leadership.
Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 3
The Last Things
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We believe in the personal, visible, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. At His coming, the dead will be raised, the righteous to eternal life and the wicked to eternal punishment. God will create a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells and God’s people will dwell with Him forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Peter 3:13
Core Distinctives
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
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We believe that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace. Before the foundation of the world, God chose a people to be saved. Christ died to redeem those whom the Father had given Him. The Holy Spirit effectually calls and regenerates the elect, granting them repentance and faith. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Ephesians 1:4-5; John 6:37-40; Romans 8:29-30; Titus 3:5
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
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We believe that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as a sign of union with Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s death and a means of grace for the believer, to be observed regularly until He comes.
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Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Leadership of Elders
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We believe that the local church is to be led by a group of godly men who are called out from the congregation. These men are to fit the qualifications set out in
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1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9