Statement of Faith

I. God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Creator and Ruler of all things, immeasurably holy and worthy of all honor, loyalty and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the work of
redemption.

Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; John 10:30; John 14:23; John 15:26; John 17:5; Romans 1:20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; Philippians 2:5-6; Hebrews 3:4; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:6-8, 11

II. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible, specifically the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, was authored by God and, through divine inspiration, written by men. We affirm that the Bible is God’s all-sufficient revelation to humankind, which is totally trustworthy, completely free from error in the original manuscripts, and reveals the principles by which God will judge us. It includes within it the only way of salvation and has Jesus Christ as its ultimate fulfillment. The Bible will remain to the end of the world the supreme standard and final authority by which all matters of life and doctrine should be
tested.

Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 21:33; John 5:39; Romans 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:20-21

III. Sin / Fall of Man
We believe that God created people in His own image and because of this all people have inherent and equal value. We believe that God created people male and female as part of His unchangeable design, and that they are the crowning jewel of His creation. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were created with innocence, but voluntarily rebelled against God and brought sin into the world. As a result, all people are born as sinners, inheriting the condemnation of our first parents, Adam and Eve. We believe that while all people retain the image of God, possess a conscience, and are capable of doing relative good, which does not earn salvation, they are sinners by nature, totally lacking the holiness required by God and completely inclined to evil. As a result, people do not worship God as He requires according to His holy Law, but instead choose to go their own way in rebellion to Him. Apart from God’s grace, no one is able to turn to God and all are under just condemnation to eternal punishment in hell, without defense or excuse.

Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-19; Psalm 51:5; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 1:18-20; Romans 3:10-12, 19; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 8:7-10; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Ephesians 2:1-3

IV. Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is only by the grace of God through the work of Jesus Christ, and apart from any human work. Jesus is the promised Messiah and Savior of the world, and is the mediator of a new covenant between God and humanity. Though He was sinless, He took our sin upon Himself, and in His death He made full atonement for our sins as a sacrificial substitute, absorbing the full wrath of God, securing the forgiveness of sins, and adopting into the family of God all who repent of their sin and believe in Him. This message of salvation is known as the good news of the Gospel.

Isaiah 53:4-5; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 20:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 19:10; John 1:12-13; John 3:16; John 6:29; Acts 2:38; Acts 4:12; Acts 15:11; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:21-23; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:8-10; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:3; Phil 2:8; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:13-15; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:10

V. Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
We believe that baptism in water is the joyful duty of all believers upon their profession of faith as a response to the command of Jesus. We believe that Scripture teaches that baptism should be done by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior as a solemn and beautiful act, symbolizing our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is performed once, upon one’s profession of faith, and is required for church membership. It is the visible sign of the new covenant which joins one to the visible, regenerate community of the new covenant - the local church, and it is a sign to the world that we are a follower of Jesus.

The Lord’s Supper, or communion, is a commemoration of Jesus’ sacrificial love, is a response to the command of Christ, and is a time of remembrance and anticipation of His second coming, “proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes.” We practice “open communion”, which means we welcome anyone to partake of the elements of the supper (bread and grape juice) who are believers in Jesus Christ and have asked Him to be their Lord and Savior, each one preparing for it with careful self-examination.

Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 26:26-29; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 16:32-33; Acts 18:8; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21

V. The Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Pastors or Elders, and Deacons and Deaconesses, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

Matthew 18:15-20; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 1 Acts 11:21-22; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; Romans 16:1, 17; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 5:12; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 14:12; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Phil 1:1; 2 Thess 3:6; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-16