Statement of Faith
I. THE WORD OF GOD
We affirm that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, breathed out by the Holy Spirit through human authors. The Bible stands as God’s complete and authoritative self-revelation to humanity, containing everything necessary for faith and godly living. In its original form, Scripture is without error and perfectly reliable in all it affirms. The Bible functions as our ultimate guide for doctrine, practice, and spiritual formation, standing above all human wisdom and tradition. Through its pages, God speaks truth that transforms lives and points us to Jesus Christ, the living Word who fulfills all of Scripture’s promises and purposes.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11, 89, 105, 140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
II. THE GODHEAD
We worship one eternal God who exists in perfect unity while revealing Himself in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God alone created all things, sustains all things, and reigns over all things with absolute sovereignty. He possesses infinite perfection in every attribute—wholly good, eternally wise, completely just, and boundlessly loving. God knows all things past, present, and future with perfect clarity, including the free choices of His creatures. As the source of all life and truth, God deserves our wholehearted worship, unwavering obedience, and complete devotion. The three persons of the Trinity share one divine nature and essence, co-equal in glory and power, while maintaining their distinct roles in creation, redemption, and sanctification.
Genesis 1:1, 26; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; 90:1-2; Isaiah 43:3, 15; 45:5-6, 21-22; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; 17:24-28; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
A. God the Father
The Father rules over all creation with perfect wisdom and tender care, orchestrating history according to His gracious purposes. He demonstrates unlimited power, knowledge, love, and wisdom in all His ways. Those who trust in Jesus Christ become His beloved children, experiencing His fatherly care and provision. He extends compassion toward all people, desiring their salvation and flourishing.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:lff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
B. God the Son—Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was born to the virgin Mary and lived a sinless life in perfect obedience to the Father. In His ministry, Jesus authentically experienced human life with all its challenges while never succumbing to temptation or sin. He taught with divine authority, performed miraculous signs, and perfectly fulfilled God’s law. On the cross, Christ died as our substitute, bearing the penalty for human sin and securing redemption through His shed blood. He physically rose from death on the third day, appearing to His disciples in His glorified body. After ascending to heaven, Christ now sits at the Father’s right hand as our great High Priest and sole Mediator between God and humanity. He intercedes continually for His people and will return visibly and gloriously to judge all people and complete His redemptive work. Through His Spirit, Christ lives within every believer.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16, 27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6, 19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:26-37; 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18, 29; 10:30, 38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16, 28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20, 28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5, 20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:21-26; 5:6-21; 6:23; 8:1-3, 34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8, 20-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-16; 7:14-28; 9:12-15, 24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and Son in deity and glory. He inspired the biblical authors to record God’s Word and illuminates our minds to understand spiritual truth. The Spirit glorifies Christ, convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment, and draws people to saving faith. At conversion, He births believers into new life, permanently unites them to Christ’s body, and seals them for eternity. The Spirit cultivates Christlike character in believers, provides comfort and assurance, and distributes spiritual gifts for ministry. He lives within every Christian, guiding, teaching, and empowering them for holy living, authentic worship, bold witness, and faithful service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10, 12; Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17, 39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 10-16; 3:16; 6:19-20; 12:1-13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Titus 3:5-6; Hebrews 9:8, 14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
III. MAN
Humanity stands as God’s unique creation, formed in His image and likeness as the pinnacle of His creative work. God intentionally designed human beings as male and female, and this binary distinction reflects His good and purposeful design. Originally, our first parents lived in innocence, blessed with genuine freedom to choose obedience to their Creator. Through Satan’s deception, however, they chose rebellion against God’s command, introducing sin and death into human experience. This fall corrupted human nature at its core, so that every person born since inherits both a sinful disposition a nd an environment pervaded by sin’s effects. The consequences include physical death, spiritual separation from God, and eternal condemnation. Left to ourselves, we remain helpless to escape this condition or restore our relationship with God. Only divine grace can reconcile us to our Creator and enable us to fulfill His original design for human flourishing. Because every person bears God’s image and because Christ died for sinners, all people—regardless of ethnicity, ability, or any other distinction—possess inherent dignity and deserve to be treated with respect and genuine Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5, 7, 18-22; 3; 3:1-19; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6, 12-19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18, 29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
IV. SALVATION
God offers salvation as a free gift, extending deliverance to the whole person—spirit, soul, and body. This rescue comes solely through grace, received by personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Christ’s sacrificial death provides the only means of redemption, as He shed His blood to purchase eternal life for all who believe. Salvation encompasses multiple dimensions, beginning with spiritual rebirth and culminating in final glorification. No one comes to God except through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
A. Regeneration
The new birth is God’s gracious work of creating spiritual life where only death existed before. When the Holy Spirit convicts someone of their sin, that person must respond with genuine repentance—turning from sin toward God—and exercising faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable: true faith includes surrendering one’s entire self to Christ as both Savior and Lord. In this moment, the Holy Spirit transforms the heart, making the believer a new creation in Christ.
B. Justification
Through justification, God declares righteous all who repent and believe in Christ. This legal verdict flows from God’s own righteousness applied to the believer, establishing a relationship of peace and favor with the holy God who was previously our judge.
C. Sanctification
Beginning at conversion, sanctification marks the ongoing process by which God sets believers apart for His purposes and progressively transforms them toward Christlikeness. The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers this growth in holiness and spiritual maturity, which should continue throughout the Christian’s earthly life.
D. Glorification
Glorification represents salvation’s completion—the final, eternal state of the redeemed when they are fully conformed to Christ’s image and forever freed from sin’s presence and effects.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14, 29; 3:3-21, 36; 5:24; 10:9, 28-29; 14:6; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18, 29-39; 10:9-13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8, 14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
V. GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
Before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals for salvation—not based on any foreseen goodness in them, but purely out of His merciful love expressed in Christ. Those chosen by God are effectually called to faith, declared righteous through justification, and will ultimately be glorified with Christ.
All genuine believers will persevere in faith until the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ and set apart by His Spirit cannot ultimately fall away from grace but will be kept secure until glory. Christians may stumble into sin through carelessness or yielding to temptation, which grieves the Holy Spirit, diminishes their spiritual vitality and joy, damages their witness, and invites God’s fatherly discipline. Yet God’s power sustains true believers through faith, guaranteeing their final salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22, 31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45, 65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6, 12, 17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7, 26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10, 19; Hebrews 11:39-12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5, 13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
VI. THE CHURCH
The universal Church comprises all believers throughout history who have been spiritually reborn and incorporated into Christ’s body through the Holy Spirit’s work. This worldwide body of the redeemed includes Christians from every nation, ethnicity, and generation, with Christ Himself serving as the Head.
A local church consists of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined together through covenant relationship to live out the gospel. These congregations function autonomously under Christ’s direct lordship, making decisions through processes that honor every member’s participation and responsibility. Local churches observe the two ordinances Christ established, organize themselves according to biblical principles, cultivate and exercise spiritual gifts, and pursue the gospel’s advance to every corner of the earth. Each believer in a local church stands directly accountable to Christ. Churches are called to proclaim the good news and nurture believers toward spiritual maturity and God’s glory.
Scripture identifies two offices for church leadership: pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. While God gifts both men and women for various ministries, the pastoral office is reserved for men who meet the biblical qualifications.
Matthew 16:15-20; 18:15-20; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:41-42, 47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23, 27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11, 21; 4:14-16; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
VII. ORDINANCES
Christ instituted two symbolic practices for His church to observe: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
A. Baptism
Baptism involves immersing a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This act of obedience publicly declares the believer’s faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The symbolism depicts the believer’s own death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to new life in Christ. Baptism also expresses confidence in the future bodily resurrection. Following the New Testament pattern, baptism by immersion in the triune name precedes church membership and participation in the Lord’s Supper. Baptism celebrates what God has already accomplished in bringing someone to new life in Christ.
B. The Lord’s Supper
In the Lord’s Supper, church members partake of bread and the fruit of the vine as a symbolic act of obedience. This practice commemorates Christ’s atoning death and looks forward to His promised return. Through this observance, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:18-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:38-42; 8:12-13, 35-39; 10:47; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
VIII. THE LORD’S DAY
Christians observe the first day of each week as the Lord’s Day in honor of Christ’s resurrection. This day provides regular opportunity for both corporate and personal worship and spiritual devotion. How believers spend this day should reflect their conscience under Christ’s lordship and their desire to honor Him.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3, 33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1, 19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
IX. THE KINGDOM
God’s Kingdom encompasses both His sovereign rule over the entire universe and His particular reign in the hearts of those who willingly acknowledge Him as King. Specifically, the Kingdom represents the realm of salvation that people enter through childlike trust in Jesus Christ. Followers of Christ should pray and work for God’s Kingdom to advance and His will to be accomplished on earth. The Kingdom’s full realization awaits Christ’s return and the conclusion of the present age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10, 23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6, 9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
X. LAST THINGS
In His perfect timing and according to His sovereign plan, God will bring human history to its appointed conclusion. As Scripture promises, Jesus Christ will return to earth in visible, glorious manifestation. The dead will be raised in bodily form, and Christ will judge every person with perfect righteousness. Those who rejected Christ will be sentenced to hell—a place of eternal, conscious suffering. Believers, transformed into glorified resurrection bodies, will receive their eternal reward and dwell forever with the Lord in heaven, experiencing unending joy and fulfillment in His presence.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:4-31; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40, 48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28, 35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 1:23; 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13; 20:4-6, 11-15.
XI. EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
Every Christian and every church bears the joyful responsibility and privilege of making disciples among all peoples. Spiritual rebirth by the Holy Spirit naturally produces love for others and concern for their salvation. Mission work flows from this spiritual reality inherent in regenerate life, and Christ explicitly and repeatedly commanded His followers to evangelize. Jesus mandated that the gospel be proclaimed to every nation. Therefore, every child of God should consistently seek opportunities to lead the lost to Christ through verbal witness supported by authentic Christian living, employing any method consistent with the gospel’s message and character.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8, 16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.
XII. THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
Human life is sacred, originating from God’s creative hand and bearing His image. Every human being possesses immeasurable value at every stage and in every condition—from the moment of conception through natural death. This includes the unborn, the elderly, those with physical or cognitive challenges, and every person regardless of circumstances. As image-bearers of God, we are called to defend, protect, and value every human life. Children in the womb are a precious blessing and gift from the Lord.
Psalms 51:5; 127; 128; 139:13-16.
XIII. MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY
God established the family as society’s foundational institution, composed of people related through marriage, biological connection, or adoption.
Marriage is God’s creation, defined as the covenantal union of one man and one woman committed to each other for life. This one-flesh relationship demonstrates the bond between Christ and His church while providing the proper context for intimate companionship, sexual expression according to God’s design, and bringing forth children. We cannot affirm unions between persons of the same sex as marriages, and such ceremonies will not be performed on our property or by our pastors.
Husband and wife stand equal in worth as God’s image-bearers. Their marriage relationship reflects Christ’s relationship with His church. A husband demonstrates Christ’s love by providing for, protecting, and leading his family with servant-hearted care. A wife honors her husband’s leadership through gracious partnership, respecting him as they serve together. Equal in dignity and value, she uses her gifts to manage the household and nurture the next generation.
Parents model godly marriage for their children while teaching them biblical truth and moral values. Through consistent example and loving correction, parents guide children to make choices rooted in Scripture. Children honor God by respecting and obeying their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 78:1-8; 127; 128; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6, 15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
XIV. HUMAN SEXUALITY
God designed sexual intimacy exclusively for marriage between one man and one woman. All sexual activity outside this covenant relationship violates God’s intention and stands contrary to Scripture. This includes—but is not limited to—adultery, sex before marriage, same-sex sexual behavior, pedophilia, polyamory, and polygamy. Additionally, crude behavior, vulgar speech, and creating, distributing, or consuming pornography contradict God’s call to holiness and undermine the believer’s witness to the world.
Genesis 19:1-22; Judges 19:1-21; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:20-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18; 1 Timothy 1:9-11.
XV. GENDER IDENTITY
God created humanity as two distinct, complementary sexes—male and female—with physiological differences evident throughout the human body. Scripture teaches that God determines each person’s sex through His creative work before birth. Any concept of gender as self-chosen or independently determined contradicts both the created order and biblical teaching. God’s wisdom is displayed in making humanity “male and female.”
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 19:4; Acts 17:25.