Statement of Faith

Statement of Faith – 

Core (First-Degree) Doctrines

Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct

The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. Scripture alone is our supreme and sufficient authority in all matters of faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7-11).

The Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are fully inspired by God, without error in the original writings, and are the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of humanity. The Bible is the final authority for Christian faith and practice.

The One True God

We believe in one living and true God, who eternally exists in three co-equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things and is worthy of all worship, honor, and obedience (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Isaiah 45:5-6).

The Father

We believe God the Father is fully divine, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He orders all things according to His perfect will and hears and answers prayer.

The Son

We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and willingly died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now intercedes for believers as our High Priest and Lord. He will one day return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead (John 1:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:25).

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is fully divine and actively works in the world today—convicting of sin, regenerating those who believe, and indwelling, sealing, and empowering every follower of Christ. The Spirit unites all believers into the body of Christ and produces godly fruit in their lives (John 14:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:22-23).

Angels and Satan

We believe that God created spiritual beings known as angels to worship Him and carry out His purposes. Satan and other fallen angels rebelled against God and now oppose His work but are defeated through the cross and will be eternally judged (Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10).

Humanity and the Fall

We believe that God created humanity in His image to know and glorify Him. Through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the world, bringing death and separation from God to all people. Every person is born with a sinful nature and stands in need of salvation (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; 5:12).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. We are justified by His shed blood, not by any human works or merit. Genuine faith results in repentance and a transformed life empowered by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 3:5-7).

The Church

We believe that all who are saved by faith in Christ are members of His universal Church, the body and bride of Christ. The Church exists to glorify God through worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and the proclamation of the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:22-23).

The Ordinances

We believe Christ commanded His followers to observe two symbolic acts:

• Baptism – a public testimony of faith, identifying the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
  
  

• The Lord’s Supper – a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice, to be observed by believers in remembrance of Him (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
  
  

The Return of Christ and Eternal Destiny

We believe Jesus Christ will personally return to judge the living and the dead. Believers will experience eternal life in God’s presence, and unbelievers will face eternal separation from Him. This eternal destiny is determined by one’s response to the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15).

The Sanctity of Human Life and the Image of God

We believe every human being is created in the image of God and is therefore sacred from conception to natural death. Every person is worthy of love, dignity, and respect, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance (Psalm 139:13-16; Genesis 1:26-27).

The Gospel and Christian Living

We believe that those who have been saved by grace are called to live holy and compassionate lives, loving God and others, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and growing in the likeness of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit (Micah 6:8; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:22-25).