Statement of Faith

SCRIPTURE

The sixty-six books of the Bible are the written Word of God, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error in the original manuscripts, and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

GOD

There is only one true God, eternally existing in three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – equal and harmonious in every respect, yet distinct in relation to the divine functions. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

PERSON OF THE FATHER

God the Father is the sovereign, holy, and merciful Lord who judges righteously, and who in love pursues the redemption of His fallen creation.

PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST

God the eternal Son became a man through the virgin birth, uniting perfect deity and true humanity in one Person forever. His virgin birth was a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life, was crucified, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven as Lord of all. He now intercedes for believers and will return personally and visibly to receive them, to establish His Kingdom and to rule in righteousness and peace.

PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

God the Holy Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son in all that He does, not calling attention to Himself. His work includes convicting and regenerating sinners, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ at the time of regeneration, living in them, enabling them to live a life of obedient faith, equipping and empowering them for service and witness.

HUMANITY

God created man and woman in His own image, and they became separated from God through their disobedience. Consequently, every human being is born a sinner, unwilling and unable to please God. Therefore, even those who have never heard the truth about God and His provision for salvation are lost.

SALVATION

Eternal salvation is wholly a work of God. God, out of His abundant grace, forgives sinners when they repent of their sin and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for them and rose from the dead. Jesus assumes their punishment for sin, credits His righteousness to those who believe, and brings them into eternal relationship with God as His children.

SANCTIFICATION

Believers are declared holy in standing before God, on the basis of the finished work of Christ. However, until they are glorified, when they will be with the Lord, they are to grow in godliness as they submit to Christ’s lordship, live in Christian community and are filled (controlled and empowered) by the Holy Spirit.

THE CHURCH

The Church universal as the body of Christ is under His Headship and is composed of all believers. It is made visible by local communities of believers organized for corporate worship, edification, fellowship, and the continuation of Christ’s mission on earth. God gives spiritual gifts and leaders to the Church for its edification. The two God-ordained symbolic rites of the Church are believers, baptism, and the Lord’s supper.

RESURRECTION

There will be a final bodily resurrection of all persons: believers will be raised to eternal life and conscious fellowship with God; unbelievers will be raised to eternal punishment and conscious separation from God.

SATAN AND SPIRITUAL CONFLICT

Satan and other fallen angels are real, have personality, and are enemies of God and destroyers of men. While they were defeated at the cross and are limited in operation, they still engage in spiritual battle against God’s people and against His purpose until the final Day of Judgment. Through Christ, believers can live victoriously in this struggle with the forces of evil.

MISSION

Christ commissioned the Church to communicate to all people the Good News of God’s redemptive love and provision of salvation. This is to be effected by verbal witness, godly living and acts of compassion. It is the solemn responsibility of all believers to work with Christ in fulfilling His commission to make disciples of all peoples.