The Scriptures
We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written; that it is inspired and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is infallible and inerrant. We believe the Bible to be the standard of all human conduct.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19–21
The Triune God
We believe there is only one living and true God, worthy of honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 20:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11
God the Father
We believe God the Father created all things according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ. He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation.
Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ took on human flesh. Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ, being fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life. He sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place, accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ three days later and in His ascension into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father. He is now Head of His Body the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and man, and will return to earth in power and glory.
John 1:1, 14, 18; John 14:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 28:6, 7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2–6, 51; Acts 1:9–11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; 12:2; 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9, 10
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He was active in the creation; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, guides, teaches, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 14:16, 17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1–3; John 16:8–11; Acts 5:30–32; John 3:5, 6; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 16, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30; 13:8–10; 14:1–40; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:2–4
The Devil, or Satan
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, the Devil; and that he was created by God as an angel but through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator; that he became the unholy god of this age and the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire.
Matthew 4:1–11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10
Creation
We believe the Biblical account of creation, angels, and humanity; that Adam and Eve were created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all people are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race.
Genesis 1; 2; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3
Marriage, Gender and Sexuality
We believe that our Creator established human sexuality according to biologically fixed, binary categories: male and female. Seeking to confuse or change the God-given distinction of the two sexes violates God’s creative design. In light of God’s creative design, we believe that the Bible teaches that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman and that sexual intimacy is to be expressed only within the bounds of a Biblically defined marriage. Any other form of marriage or sexual intimacy is not God’s design.
Genesis 2:18, 24, 25; Matthew 19:4–6; Romans 1:24–29; 7:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 7:1–5; Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4
Mankind
We believe that mankind– male and female– was created in the image and likeness of God, but by voluntary transgression Adam fell from his sinless state. All human beings sinned in him, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are under condemnation without excuse. All are in need of the Savior.
Genesis 3:1–6; Romans 1:18, 32; 3:10–19; 5:12, 19
The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14
Salvation
We believe that salvation is initiated by grace through Jesus Christ, who voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin. Jesus, by shedding His blood in death, fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin– a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place. We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith.
Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14–17; Isaiah 53:4–7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24
Grace and the New Birth
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth means you are a new creation in Christ Jesus.
John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20–33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8
Justification
We believe that justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous because of Christ; that it is bestowed, not because of our works of righteousness, but through faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood.
Romans 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God: It is first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ; second, a continuing process in the person as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to their life; and the final accomplishment of this process happens at the Lord’s return.
Hebrews 10:10–14; 3:1; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24, 25; Revelation 22:11
Separation
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate ourselves unto God, being in the world but not of it.
2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9–11
The Security of the Saints
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6; John 10:28-30; Romans 8:35–39; Jude 1
The Church
We believe that a local church is an organized congregation of believers; observing the sacraments of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all people as we have opportunity. While a single local body of believers constitutes a true church, it is also biblical for these true churches to cooperate and partner with each other. We believe in the unity of all New Testament believers, which is the Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:17–28; 1 Timothy 2:12; 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; Acts 2:41, 42; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:1-6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13-18
Baptism and Communion
We believe that Christian baptism is a public declaration of the believer’s salvation in Christ, identifying with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Communion is the commemoration of believers in Christ’s death until He comes and should be preceded by a careful self-examination. Baptism and Communion are sacraments, also known as ordinances, of the church which have been instituted by Jesus Christ. By sacrament/ordinance, we mean that they are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying Christ's work in us.
Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3–5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23–28; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:41, 42
Missions
We believe it is the aim and privilege of every believer to glorify God by being Jesus to the world, actively participating in the Great Commission. We believe the primary focus of this call is to support and strengthen biblically-based Christian organizations. For this reason, we put at least 10% of what we receive in giving toward missions.
Matthew 28:16-20
Things to Come
We believe in and expectantly await the glorious return of Jesus Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The lost will be raised to judgment. The saved will be raised to eternal joy in the new heaven and new earth in the presence of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:3, 9; Hebrews 7:25-26; Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17, 18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34-41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14, 15.
Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
This doctrinal statement does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, is the final source of all that we believe.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written; that it is inspired and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is infallible and inerrant. We believe the Bible to be the standard of all human conduct.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19–21
The Triune God
We believe there is only one living and true God, worthy of honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 20:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11
God the Father
We believe God the Father created all things according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ. He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation.
Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ took on human flesh. Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ, being fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life. He sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place, accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ three days later and in His ascension into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father. He is now Head of His Body the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and man, and will return to earth in power and glory.
John 1:1, 14, 18; John 14:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 28:6, 7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2–6, 51; Acts 1:9–11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; 12:2; 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9, 10
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He was active in the creation; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, guides, teaches, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 14:16, 17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1–3; John 16:8–11; Acts 5:30–32; John 3:5, 6; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 16, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30; 13:8–10; 14:1–40; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:2–4
The Devil, or Satan
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, the Devil; and that he was created by God as an angel but through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator; that he became the unholy god of this age and the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire.
Matthew 4:1–11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10
Creation
We believe the Biblical account of creation, angels, and humanity; that Adam and Eve were created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all people are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race.
Genesis 1; 2; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3
Marriage, Gender and Sexuality
We believe that our Creator established human sexuality according to biologically fixed, binary categories: male and female. Seeking to confuse or change the God-given distinction of the two sexes violates God’s creative design. In light of God’s creative design, we believe that the Bible teaches that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman and that sexual intimacy is to be expressed only within the bounds of a Biblically defined marriage. Any other form of marriage or sexual intimacy is not God’s design.
Genesis 2:18, 24, 25; Matthew 19:4–6; Romans 1:24–29; 7:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 7:1–5; Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4
Mankind
We believe that mankind– male and female– was created in the image and likeness of God, but by voluntary transgression Adam fell from his sinless state. All human beings sinned in him, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are under condemnation without excuse. All are in need of the Savior.
Genesis 3:1–6; Romans 1:18, 32; 3:10–19; 5:12, 19
The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14
Salvation
We believe that salvation is initiated by grace through Jesus Christ, who voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin. Jesus, by shedding His blood in death, fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin– a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place. We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith.
Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14–17; Isaiah 53:4–7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24
Grace and the New Birth
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth means you are a new creation in Christ Jesus.
John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20–33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8
Justification
We believe that justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous because of Christ; that it is bestowed, not because of our works of righteousness, but through faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood.
Romans 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God: It is first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ; second, a continuing process in the person as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to their life; and the final accomplishment of this process happens at the Lord’s return.
Hebrews 10:10–14; 3:1; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24, 25; Revelation 22:11
Separation
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate ourselves unto God, being in the world but not of it.
2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9–11
The Security of the Saints
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6; John 10:28-30; Romans 8:35–39; Jude 1
The Church
We believe that a local church is an organized congregation of believers; observing the sacraments of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all people as we have opportunity. While a single local body of believers constitutes a true church, it is also biblical for these true churches to cooperate and partner with each other. We believe in the unity of all New Testament believers, which is the Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:17–28; 1 Timothy 2:12; 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; Acts 2:41, 42; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:1-6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13-18
Baptism and Communion
We believe that Christian baptism is a public declaration of the believer’s salvation in Christ, identifying with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Communion is the commemoration of believers in Christ’s death until He comes and should be preceded by a careful self-examination. Baptism and Communion are sacraments, also known as ordinances, of the church which have been instituted by Jesus Christ. By sacrament/ordinance, we mean that they are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying Christ's work in us.
Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3–5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23–28; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:41, 42
Missions
We believe it is the aim and privilege of every believer to glorify God by being Jesus to the world, actively participating in the Great Commission. We believe the primary focus of this call is to support and strengthen biblically-based Christian organizations. For this reason, we put at least 10% of what we receive in giving toward missions.
Matthew 28:16-20
Things to Come
We believe in and expectantly await the glorious return of Jesus Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The lost will be raised to judgment. The saved will be raised to eternal joy in the new heaven and new earth in the presence of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:3, 9; Hebrews 7:25-26; Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17, 18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34-41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14, 15.
Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
This doctrinal statement does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, is the final source of all that we believe.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17