Our BELIEFS
01 The Word of God
We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the only inspired, infallible, authoritative, and eternal Word of God. It is the final rule of faith and practice for the believer and the church—fully trustworthy in what it affirms. II Timothy 3:16, 17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:21; Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 119:89, 160.
See the “Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” for more. Download PDF.
02 The Trinity
We believe that there is one true and living triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are equal in deity, glory, power, and majesty, yet distinct in role and relation. Matthew. 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 5:18, 23; 10: 29, 30; Psalm 139:7; I Corinthians 2:10,11; Hebrews 1: 5-12 (cf. Psalms 102: 25ff); Hebrews 9:14; II Corinthians 13:14.
03 Jesus
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, he became truly and fully man without ceasing to be truly and fully God. He lived a sinless life, as our vicarious representative, and died a substitutionary death on the cross as a perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits the right hand of the Father, where he reigns. He will return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead and to bring in the fullness of God’s kingdom. John 1: 1-5; 20:28; Colossians 1:15-17; Matthew 1:22, 23; 3:16, 17; II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25; Matthew 28: 5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1: 9-11; 2: 32-33; Romans 8: 34; Ephesians 4:8-10; Hebrews 1: 2-3; I Thessalonians. 4:16-18.
04 Salvation
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice, separated from God and under his righteous judgment. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Both justification and sanctification are the works of the Holy Spirit in those who trust in Jesus. Those who repent and believe in Jesus are forgiven, justified, adopted into God’s family, and given the gift of eternal life. John 3:5, 6; Titus 3:5, 6; Ephesians 2:8-9 ;Galatians 3:2-3; I Peter 1:2; Romans 10:9)
05 The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, convicts the world of sin, regenerates believers, indwells them, and empowers them for holy living, spiritual growth, and gospel mission. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe in the present day manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9-11, 13-15; 15: 18,19; II Corinthians 1:21, 22; Ephesians 3: 14-19; 5: 18-20; John 1:33; 20: 21-23; Acts 1:8; 2: 4; 4: 31; 8:17; 10: 44-46; 19: 3-6; Romans 12: 6-8; I Corinthians 12:13, 27-31; 14: 1-40; Ephesians 5:18.
06 The Church
We believe the Church is the people of God redeemed by Christ and empowered by the Spirit. The Church is called to gather for worship, grow through discipleship, serve one another, practice the sacraments, and proclaim the gospel to the world. Christ is the Head of his Church, and every believer is a member of his body. We believe in obeying the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. Matthew 16:18, 22:37, 38; 28: 18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24: 46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:12; Acts 2:42; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:19–22
07 Last Things
We believe in the resurrection of the body both the saved and the lost—of they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and of they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the blessed hope of Christ’s return, the final judgment, and the new heavens and new earth where God will dwell with his redeemed people forever. John 5:28, 29; I Corinthians 15:20-23; Revelation 20:11-15.
08 The Sanctity of Life
We believe in the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to the time of natural death. All human life is precious in the sight of God. Luke 1:15; Galatians 1:15; Psalm 22:10; 71:6; 139: 13-14. Mark 8:36; Psalm 72:14; Isaiah 43:4.
09 Marriage + Sexuality
We believe that God created humanity in His image as male and female, and that this design is good, purposeful, and essential to our identity and flourishing. Marriage is a covenantal, lifelong union between one man and one woman, ordered toward fidelity, chastity, and the display of Christ’s love for His church. All forms of sexual immorality—heterosexual or homosexual—fall short of God’s will, and no self-defined identity contrary to one’s biological sex accords with His good purposes in creation or redemption. Yet the gospel extends forgiveness, transformation, and hope to all sinners through Jesus Christ, whose grace enables us to walk in holiness and joy. Genesis 1:27-28; 2:20b-24; I Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:27-28; Proverbs 6:25-26; I Corinthians 6:9-10,18; I Thessalonians 4:3-8.
See the Nashville Statement for more. Download PDF.
11 The Sacraments
We believe that Jesus gave his church two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the outward sign of union with Christ and entrance into his covenant community. We believe in water baptism by immersion as commanded in the scriptures for everyone who repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ The Lord’s Supper is the ongoing sign of fellowship with Christ and his people, proclaiming his death until he comes again. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Matthew 26:26–28; I Corinthians 11:23–26; 10:16–17)
For a more robust Statement of Faith, see the Confessional Statement from The Gospel Coalition. Download PDF.