We affirm the historic Christian faith as defined by Scripture and expressed in the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds.
Scripture
The Bible is the eternal Word of God (1 Pet 1:23-25). In it God has revealed himself and the salvation that comes through Jesus. Because the Bible is from God, it is completely true and authoritative (2 Tim 3:16-17). The Bible was written by human authors who wrote with the common language, grammar, and conventions of their day, but it is ultimately knit together by the Holy Spirit’s design and according to his purposes (2 Pet 1:21). All of Scripture is centered around Jesus and is fulfilled in him (Matt 5:17 and Luke 24:27).
God
There is one God who eternally exists as three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deut 6:4 and Matt 28:19). He is the creator of all things (Gen 1:1), and he is infinite in holiness (Lev 19:2), goodness (Ps 100:5), love (1 John 4:8), power (Job 42:2), and all other perfections (Matt 5:48). All three members of the Trinity are personal, distinct, and have eternally existed as God. In the beginning God created the universe and everything in it (Gen 1:1). Everything that exists, with the exception of God himself, has been created by God and for God (Col 1:16).
Humanity, Sin, and Angels
Humanity was created in the image of God and has been given a unique place and purpose within creation (Gen 1:26-27). Every human, with the exception of Jesus, has been born a sinner and has willfully sinned (Rom 3:21; 5:12). The eventual result of any sin is death (Rom 3:23). God also created angels. Some of these angels have fallen into sin and are in conflict with creation and other angels (Eph 6:12). Chief among the fallen angels is Satan who seeks to destroy and harm all that is of God (1 Pet 5:8).
Salvation
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9). It is a free gift from God bestowed on all who believe (John 1:12-13). (Col 2:14-15). Through no merit of their own sinful humans are declared righteous (Rom 5:1) and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11). Believers are saved from sin and for good works (Eph 2:10). Just as they are saved by grace they are sanctified by grace (Phil 1:6) and are held securely for all eternity where they will one day be glorified by grace (Rom 8:29-30).
The Church
The church is established by Jesus (Matt. 16:18), is made up of all his followers (Eph. 2:18-22), and is sent out to accomplish his purposes (Matt. 28:19-20). Church leadership consists of two offices, elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-13). Elders lead as shepherds caring for and preserving the preaching and teaching ministries (Eph. 4:11-13). Deacons lead as servants, caring for the needs of the Saints (Acts 6:1-3). The two ordinances of the church are believers baptism and communion. These ordinances are visible signs of grace and are specifically ordained by Jesus (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Last Things
Jesus will return to the earth (1 Th. 4:16; Acts 1:11) and will reign as rightful judge and king (1 Cor. 15:25). The righteous will be raised to everlasting life in the presence of God, and the wicked will be raised to everlasting separation and judgment apart from the presence of God (Matt. 25.46; Daniel 12:2). The heavens and the earth will be made new (Rev. 21:5), and the Lord and his Saints will dwell forever together in the new creation where Christ will vanquish all sin, death, sorrow, pain, and evil (1 Cor. 15:54-57; Rev. 21:3-4).