What We Believe

Statement of Faith

1. The Bible

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and constitute the authoritative Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and practice. Their primary purpose is to lead us into a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. The Triune God

We believe in one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who is infinitely perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He created, sustains, and governs all things for his glory and our good.

3. The Human Condition

We believe that human beings are created in the image of God to live in relationship with him, to reflect his character, and to extend his rule and blessings to the world. Though deeply loved by God and bearing his image, humanity is fallen in sin and, as a result, is separated from him, broken, and in need of rescue and restoration.

4. The Redemption of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully human and fully God, Israel’s promised Messiah, and the Savior of the world. Through his sinless life, vicarious death, and victorious resurrection, he made a full and final atonement for sin and secured redemption for all who trust in him.

5. The Necessity of Personal Response

We believe that salvation is the gift of God received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Through repentance and a personal trust in him as Savior and Lord, we are forgiven, justified, reconciled to God, and given new and eternal life.

6. The Renewing Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the giver of life who applies God’s salvation to our lives. He draws people to Jesus, convicts of sin, awakens faith, regenerates, unites them to Christ, and adopts them into God’s family. As the indwelling Helper, he assures, leads, illumines, empowers, equips, and transforms all who follow Christ.

7. The Church

We believe that the church is the community of God’s covenant people – past, present, and future – composed of all true believers in Jesus Christ, implicit in the Old Testament and explicit in the New Testament. There is one holy, apostolic, and universal church, expressed in many diverse ways across cultures, traditions, and local congregations.

8. The Sacraments

We believe that the sacraments are outward and visible signs connected to God’s Word that convey an inward and spiritual grace. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, instituted by Jesus Christ, visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though not means of salvation, they are means of grace that awaken faith and strengthen believers when received in faith. Baptism signifies union with Christ, and the Lord’s Supper sustains believers in ongoing communion with Christ. Together, they are God’s pledge to us, our public confession of Christ, and signs anticipating his return.

9. Christian Living

We believe that all who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ are called to a new way of life: to love God supremely and others sacrificially, to grow in Christlikeness, to make disciples of all people, to serve and build up the church, and to live as a faithful, transformative presence in the world.

10. The Kingdom of God

We believe that the kingdom of God is the saving, healing, liberating, and transforming reign of God. It was inaugurated through the ministry of Jesus Christ and will be consummated at his return. Thus, the kingdom is already present but not yet fully realized. We are called to enter it through faith in Christ, to live under his rule, to extend his reign in the world, and to invite others to do the same as we await its completion in eternity.

11. The Return of Christ and the Restoration of All Things

We believe in the personal, bodily, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. At his coming, the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all people, granting eternal life to believers and eternal separation from God to those who reject him. Sin and evil will be removed forever, and God will renew all things. Believers will see him face to face and dwell with him forever in the new creation, to the praise of his glorious grace.

12. The Historic Faith of the Church

We believe that the Apostles’ Creed faithfully summarizes the historic confession of the Christian faith, and that the Nicene Creed rightly expresses biblical teaching on essential doctrines, especially the Trinity and the person of Christ.