God
We believe that God eternally exists in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that these three are one God, having the same nature, attributes, and perfection, and are worthy of the same worship, trust, and obedience (Matthew 28:19-20, John 14:6-17, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Colossians 1:13-19, Hebrews 1:1-3).
Jesus Christ
We believe that the eternal Son of God became incarnate to reveal God to humans and to reconcile humanity and all groaning creation to God. In historical fact He was born of the virgin Mary, proclaimed the kingdom of God through signs and teaching, was crucified and buried, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven (John 1:1-14, Acts 2:22-36, Romans 8:18-25, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:19-20).
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is our abiding Comforter and Helper, strengthening faith and conforming us to the image of Christ (John 16:7-15, Romans 8:1-14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Scripture
We believe that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” in the sense that the Holy Spirit guided the process of composition, communicating through the unique minds and contexts of the writers, such that the canonical text is the Word of God, our only ultimate authority for faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21).
Humanity
We believe that humanity was created in the image of God to worship Him, enjoy relationship with Him, and reign in His kingdom. The original humans fell from their high calling, and through sin lost all spiritual life and became subject to the power of the flesh, Satan, and the world. This fallen human nature has been transmitted to all humans, so that every child of Adam is alienated from God and in need of saving grace, the man Christ Jesus alone excepted. (Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 8, Romans 1:18 and 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-3).
Salvation
We believe that salvation for humanity has been provided by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died as our substitute, shedding His blood for the remission of our sins. We believe that salvation is received by grace through faith and that those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord receive forgiveness and are born again, passing from spiritual death into eternal life (John 3:1-18, Romans 5:1-5, Ephesians 2:4-10, Titus 3:4-7, Romans 5:6-21, Colossians 1:12-14, and 20-22, 1 Peter 1:18-23).
Assurance
We believe that all who are born again by the Spirit may be assured of their salvation and that this assurance is based upon the testimony of God in His written Word, which is evidenced through lifelong love and obedience (Romans 8:15-17 and 31-39, 1 John 3:7-14 and 5:1-13).
Church
We believe that the church is the family of God, the body of Christ, composed of all who are born again, and all who belong to His body—whether Jew or Gentile—belong to the new covenant in His blood and are united as the one people of God. (Romans 12:4-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-27, Ephesians 4:1-16).
Ordinances
The church has two ordinances instituted by Christ: baptism and communion (also known as Eucharist or the Lord’s supper). These two may be rightly called sacraments in that they are symbols and signs of the mystery of the gospel. In these memorials to Christ we remember His finished work and experience Him present with us by His Spirit. Baptism is a public initiation into the life of the Triune God and His church received by anyone who repents from sin and makes a credible profession of faith. (Matthew 26:26-29 and 28:19-20; John 6:53; Acts 2:38-42; Romans 6:3-7; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21 and 11:23-29; Colossians 2:11-12; Titus 3:3-8; 1 Peter 3:19-22)
Priesthood of Believers
We believe that every member of the universal church has access to God through the one Mediator Jesus Christ, and is entrusted with the responsibilities and privileges of ministry in the local church. The Holy Spirit endows the members of the church with gifts needed for the mission of God and the common good of the body. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:9 and 4:10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 1:4-6)
Future
We believe in the blessed hope, the personal return of Christ to establish the new heavens and new earth. At death, the redeemed enter into the presence of Christ, and after the resurrection of the body at His Coming, they shall be forever with Him in glory. Unbelievers after death await the final judgment when they shall be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:19-58, Philippians 1:20-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 20:11-15).
Essentials of Faith
Our statement of faith can be summarized in the Nicene Creed of 381 which has served as a defining statement of belief for churches and Christians since that time.
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
