THE SCRIPTURES

The Scriptures, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of mankind, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life. The primary intent of God’s word is to glorify the triune God and testify of Jesus Christ, in order to secure the faith, love, and devotion of His elect.

Psalm 119; Proverbs 30:5; Mathew 4:4; John 17:17; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:15-16

THE TRINITY

The one true God exists eternally in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are equal in deity, power, and glory. God is infinite, eternal, immutable, holy, and just; He is a righteous judge who feels indignation every day. He is also merciful, kind, gracious, slow to anger, and the perfection of love. God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists, and will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus. God has absolute foreknowledge of all future events, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ. God alone deserves all of creation’s worship, service, thanksgiving, and fear. God is to be lived unto in all spheres of life, and called upon as Lord, Creator, and Redeemer.

Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 6:3; 40:1-48:22; Psalm 104:1-35; Psalm 139:1-24; Matthew 10:29-1; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, yet one Person. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of His cross He satisfied the wrath of God, obtained for us eternal redemption, the gift of faith, the forgiveness of sins, spiritual adoption as sons and daughters, life everlasting, and He defeated the powers of darkness. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, with all of heaven and earth under his authority, where He intercedes for His people as High Priest, until the consummation of His kingdom.

Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1- 28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 1:29; 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; 2:15; Hebrews 1; 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 1:19; 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 2:1-2; 3:8

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and Son. He glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, convicts unbelievers of their need for Christ, and imparts spiritual life through regeneration. The Spirit of promise seals, anoints, indwells, and sanctifies believers upon their conversion, and further sanctifies leads, illumines, fills, and graciously empowers for Godly living and service until the day of redemption.

Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; 14:12; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Acts 2:14-21; 4:29-30; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; Romans 7:6; 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:1-16; 5:18; Galatians 3:1-5; 1 John 3:24

HUMANITY / SIN

Humanity was created by God in his image and likeness. At creation the first man was righteous and without sin. God’s intention in the creation of man was that all humanity should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, and carry out God’s will in the world. Through the temptation of Satan, the first man transgressed the command of God and fell from this original holiness and righteousness. Now, in union with Adam, the entire human race inherits a corrupt nature that is opposed to God and His law. Therefore, all humans are under condemnation. This depravity is radical and pervasive. It extends to the whole personality (mind, body, soul/spirit, conscience, will, and affections). Thus, man can only think, judge assess, speak, work, will, and do only that which is displeasing and hostile to God and His law. Unregenerate humanity lives under the dominion of sin and Satan, and is at enmity with God and hateful of God. As a result, humans are unable to save themselves or contribute in any way to their acceptance before God.

Genesis 1:1-3:24; Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 1:11;   6:44; Acts 16:4; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21; 8:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Ephesians 2:1-3

THE GOSPEL

The gospel is the good news of what God has accomplished for sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. As a result of this good news, sinful man can now be justified before God by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This gospel is the foundation for the life of the Church and our only hope for eternal life. The Gospel is not only the means by which people are saved, but also the means by which people are sanctified. The truth of the Gospel enables us to genuinely and joyfully do that which is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ. Whoever rejects the gospel remains condemned, whoever changes the gospel will be cursed, but whoever believes the gospel will be saved.

Mark 1:1; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16-18; Acts 20:21; Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 5:1;1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:2; 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 5:18-21; 9:13; Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 2; 2 Timothy 1:8-14; Jude 3-4

ELECTION

The salvation of humanity is fundamentally the work of God. Before the foundation of the world, God unconditionally elected His people, setting His affection and grace upon them. In love God predestined each of His elect for adoption. Faith is a gift of grace that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, according to his own purposes, so that no one may boast. Because of humanity’s pervasive sinfulness, apart from the intervention of God, humanity cannot choose of his own accord to worship God and pursue righteousness. God’s sovereignty does not diminish human moral responsibility and accountability.

Matthew 11:20-24; John 3:18; John 6:35-40, 44; Acts 13:48; 16:14; Romans 3; 8:29-30; 9:15-26; Ephesians1:3-14; 2:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

THE CHURCH

The Church is the body and the bride of Christ and is comprised of all believers in every age. This New Covenant community is God’s primary instrument through which he is fulfilling his redemptive purposes on the earth. God has called the Church to a ministry of worship, discipleship, evangelism, and Christ-exalting service. We affirm the priesthood of all believers and the necessity of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local church, where they will find fellowship, mutual upbuilding, and accountability. We believe that the church is to be shepherded, cared for, and protected by a plurality of qualified elders, while deacons serve and care for the practical needs within the community of believers.

Isaiah 58:6-12; 61:1; Matthew 16:17-19; 18:15-20; 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; John 13:35; Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35; 6:1-7; Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10; 1 John 4:7-12

WORSHIP

We gather altogether to worship on the Lord’s day, the first day of the week, but not to the exclusion of other days, in commemoration of the Lord Jesus Christ’s glorious resurrection. On this day we worship together by reading, teaching, and preaching the word of God, praying, singing, giving, fellowshipping, and celebrating the ordinances of the New Covenant. In addition to gathering on this day, we are devoted to regular fellowship, Bible study, and individual and family worship through Bible reading, praying, and singing.

Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 2:42-47; 20:7; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 16:2; Ephesians 5:18-21; Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Revelation 1:10; Psalm 111:1; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4

GENDER COMPLEMENTARITY

Men and women are together created in the divine image and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same moral dignity and value, and have equal access to God through faith in Christ. Men and women are together the recipients of spiritual gifts designed to equip and empower for ministry in the local church and beyond. We believe that God has created men and women to fulfill different and complementary roles in the life of the local church and the home. God has ordained the principle of male headship in both the home and in the local church and that certain governing and teaching roles are reserved for men.

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:1-7; 1 Peter 3:1-7

ORDINANCES

Water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church that are to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. These ordinances are not a means of salvation, but are means of God’s blessing to those in Christ. Only those who have personally and consciously placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour are qualified to participate in these ordinances.

Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; 2:37-28; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21

THE LAST THINGS

The coming of God’s Kingdom will be consummated in the glorious, visible, and triumphant appearing of Christ when he returns to the earth as King. After Christ returns, he will bring about the ultimate defeat of Satan, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the eternal and conscious punishment of the wicked, and the eternal blessing of the righteous.  At that time, the Kingdom of God will be completely fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth, in which righteousness dwells and in which God will be rightly worshipped forever by his people.

Matthew 25;1 Corinthians 15:20-28,50-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 19:1-21; 20:11-15