Core Beliefs
1. The Holy Scripture
God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the inspired Word of God. 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21.
2. God and the Trinity
There is one true and living God who exists in three eternally distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence, united in purpose. Mat 28:18-19, 2 Cor 13:14; Mat 3:17, John 1:1-3, 14:6-9, 17:1,5...; Col 2:9; Heb 1:1-3, 6, 8.
3. Creation
God created all that now exists in six days and from nothing, and it was all very good. Out of all living things, only man was created in God's image, perfectly holy, with wisdom, creativity, and the capacity to love. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself. Gen 1:1-31; Ps 148:1-5; John 1:1-3; Acts 17:24; Col 1:16-17
4. Providence
God orders and directs His universe in every detail. Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose, yet, in the unsearchable mystery of God, the human being, as a free moral agent, is not coerced, manipulated or compelled in his/her decisions and actions. In God's infinite wisdom, love, and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people and for His glory. Gen 50:20; Psalm 148:8; Isa 46:9-11; Eph 1:11; Rom 8:28
5. The Fall and Its Effects
God made Adam perfect, holy, and upright appointing him representative and head of the human race. He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God's command. By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt sinful nature. Gen 3; Rom Rom 5:12-19; Rom 3:10-20; Eph 2:1-3
6. Man's Inability
The Fall brought every man into a state of spiritual death, being separated from God. All aspects of his being are stained by sin and apart from the grace of God, fallen man is incapable of restoring himself to God. Rom 3:9-20; Eph 2:1-9
7. The Birth and Life of Christ
God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins. Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, He was and is both God and man. He was tempted in every way yet without sin, living the perfect life of righteousness, always pleasing the Father on behalf of His people. Mat 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-35; Lk 19:10; Heb 4:15
8. The Death of Christ
Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement for His people, the church. Isa 53; John 1:29-36; @ Cor 5:20-21; Heb 11:14; 10:12-14; 1 Pet 2:24-25
9. The Resurrection of Christ
On the third day, Christ rose bodily from the grave, affirming that He had satisfied the wages of sin which is death, and assuring believers of their future bodily resurrection. Lk 24:1-7; Acts 1:1-3; Acts 2:22-33; Rom 8:10-11; 1 Cor 15:1-23; I Pet 1:3-5;
10. The Ascension of Christ
Jesus ascended bodily into heaven to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He is the one and only Mediator between God and men, and Head of His church, ruling over all things for their sake. Mk 16:9; Lk 24:51; Acts1:9-11; 1 Tim 2:5-6; Heb 6:19-20; 8:1
11. Election and Responsibility
Before the foundation of the world, God elected in Christ a great multitude of men and women to eternal life as an act of His free grace alone. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit. Yet, in the unsearchable realm of God's sovereign will, the free offer of grace is extended to all people without discrimination in the proclaimation of the Gospel. "...whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" Rev 22:17. Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:3-6; 2 Tim 1:8-9
12. Calling and Faith
To accomplish God's redemptive purpose, the Holy Spirit works effectively through the Gospel, revealing the living Christ to the sinner's heart, and drawing them to cast their lives into His loving arms by faith. Acts 13:48, 16,14, 2 Thes 2:14; Rom 8:29-30; Rom 6:44.
13. The New Birth and the Indwelling of Christ
Wrought by the Holy Spirit,faith emerging from the heart reveals that the believer has received spiritual new birth. He/she has been made a new spiritual creation in Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Eph 2:4-5, 8; 2Cor 5:17; Rom 8:9; 1Cor 3:16
14. Justification
The beleiver is declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ's perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit. It is granted through faith alone in the person and work of Christ alone. Rom 3:28; 5:1; Gal 2:16; Phil 3:9
15. Sanctification
Every believer is sealed (marked as God's possession by the Holy Spirit) and set apart (sanctified) in Christ as God's own child absolutely forever. The ongoing renewing of the mind and subsequent love-fruit produced in the believer's life does not (cannot) progressively add to his/her santification before God. Nor can one's failure to "measure up" detract from that sanctification. 1Co 1:2; 1Co 1:30; 1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; Heb 10:10' Jde 1:1
16. Perseverance
All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away, though they may lapse for a season. Perseverance is not a human accomplishment but a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes a living, growing,transforming, and enduring faith in all true believers. Mat 10:22; Phil 1:6; 2:13; 1Cor 15:2; Heb 3:14
17. The Church
The local church is the body of Christ and is under the authority of Christ alone. Qualified and appointed (ordained) pastor/elders are charged as 'undershepherds" to nourish the flock through the Word of God and to care for His body, having general oversight for thier spiritual well-being. Qualified deacons are to assist the elders in practical issues as needs arise. Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy
Spirit to edify the body. The local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ represented in all true churches. Mat 16:18; Act 2:47; Act 20:28; Col 1:18, 1Ti 3:1-15
18. Baptism
Baptism is the believer's public affirmation of his/her faith and union with Christ. Baptism is to be by immersion in water, symbolizing both the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection and washing away of sin. Act 2:41; Act 10:47; Act 18:8; Rom 6:4;Col 2:12
19. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper (or Communion)is a celebration and remeberance inaugurated by Christ just before His crucifixion. By together breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. Through the Lord's Supper, they affirm and celebrate their oneness with each other, and their fellowship
and union with Christ in the New Covenant. Lk 22:19-20; 1Co 11:23; 1Co 11:24; 1Co 11:25; 1Co 11:26
20. Christ's Commission to the Church
Christ commanded His Church to go into all the world and...
> to make diciples from every people group by the preaching of the Gospel;
> to baptize them as a profession of faith in the Name of the Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
> and to teach them His Word for their faith's strengthening and to equip for works of servive. Mat 28:18-20; Mat 24:14
21. The Return of Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again in power and great glory, and every eye shall behold Him. Those presently in Heaven will brought with Him, and and their physical bodies raised and glorified. The living saints (believers) will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and caught up to meet them in the air. All God-rejectors of all time will be raised and brought to appear before His judgement throne to give an account. Being found naked and ashamed before Him they shall be sentenced to eternal death in the lake of fire. The Church - Christ's Bride - shall reign and rule with him over the new heavens and the new earth - God's creation perfectly restored and reconciled in Christ. Mat 24:29-31, 44; 25:31; Acts 1:10-11; 1Cor 15:20-23; 1Thes 4:13-18; 2Thes 1:3-12; 2:1-12; 2Pet 3
22. The Old Covenant (The Law)
Through the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses with the Ten Commandments at its core and over six-hundred supporting commandments), God established the Chidren of Israel as a covenant nation, promising earthly blessings for obedience, and threatening curses for disobedience. Its purpose was never to offer eternal life, but rather...
> To form and preserve in history Isreal as the "womb" through which the Promised Seed (Christ) would come into the world.
> As a representive sample of humanity, to reveal the sinfulness of man in the light of the righteousness of God.
> Through the shadows and types of the Priesthood and Temple worship, and through the direct words of the prophets, to reveal and point to Christ.
> Through their providential history to provide admontion and warning to the professing New Covenant church. Exodus 19:4-5; 20:1-17; Rom 3:19-20; Heb 8:5; 10:1
23. The New Covenant
The New Covenant, established through the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, provides eternal salvation and blessings which are acquired by grace through faith. The Old Covenant reached its fulfillment in Christ, thus becoming obsolete. Christ indwelling the believer by the Holy Spirit, thereby inscribing truth upon the heart is the core of the New Covenant in fulfilment Jer 31:31-34, Ezek 36:26, 2 Cor 3. The New Covenant works from the inside out. Empowered by divine love, it bears the fruit of the character of Christ in the believer's life. Jer 31:31-34; Mat 26:28; 2Cor 3:3-18; Heb 7:22; Heb 8:6; Heb 12:24
24. The Glory of God
Christians exist for glory of God as they are Christ-bearers, worshipping Him and exhibiting the love-fruit of the Spirit in the world. (In truth, all things serve to glorify God as their highest purpose, "For of Him and
through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36. Eph 1:12, 1 Cor 10:31.
—————————————————————-
The Five Solas
In preserving and defending the true Christian doctrines that were rediscovered during the Protestant Reformation, we affirm and teach these five truths:
1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by
which all Christian behavior must be measured.
2. Sola Gratia (by Grace alone)
In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. The supernatural work of the Holy Spirit brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
3. Sola Fide (through Faith alone)
Justification is by grace alone through faith alone. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness.
4. Solus Christus (because of Christ alone)
Our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary death alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.
5. Soli Deo Gloria (for the Glory of God alone)
God glorifies Himself in all that He does. Therefore we should acknowledge His purpose and live for His glory alone.
1. The Holy Scripture
God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the inspired Word of God. 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21.
2. God and the Trinity
There is one true and living God who exists in three eternally distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence, united in purpose. Mat 28:18-19, 2 Cor 13:14; Mat 3:17, John 1:1-3, 14:6-9, 17:1,5...; Col 2:9; Heb 1:1-3, 6, 8.
3. Creation
God created all that now exists in six days and from nothing, and it was all very good. Out of all living things, only man was created in God's image, perfectly holy, with wisdom, creativity, and the capacity to love. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself. Gen 1:1-31; Ps 148:1-5; John 1:1-3; Acts 17:24; Col 1:16-17
4. Providence
God orders and directs His universe in every detail. Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose, yet, in the unsearchable mystery of God, the human being, as a free moral agent, is not coerced, manipulated or compelled in his/her decisions and actions. In God's infinite wisdom, love, and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people and for His glory. Gen 50:20; Psalm 148:8; Isa 46:9-11; Eph 1:11; Rom 8:28
5. The Fall and Its Effects
God made Adam perfect, holy, and upright appointing him representative and head of the human race. He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God's command. By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt sinful nature. Gen 3; Rom Rom 5:12-19; Rom 3:10-20; Eph 2:1-3
6. Man's Inability
The Fall brought every man into a state of spiritual death, being separated from God. All aspects of his being are stained by sin and apart from the grace of God, fallen man is incapable of restoring himself to God. Rom 3:9-20; Eph 2:1-9
7. The Birth and Life of Christ
God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins. Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, He was and is both God and man. He was tempted in every way yet without sin, living the perfect life of righteousness, always pleasing the Father on behalf of His people. Mat 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-35; Lk 19:10; Heb 4:15
8. The Death of Christ
Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement for His people, the church. Isa 53; John 1:29-36; @ Cor 5:20-21; Heb 11:14; 10:12-14; 1 Pet 2:24-25
9. The Resurrection of Christ
On the third day, Christ rose bodily from the grave, affirming that He had satisfied the wages of sin which is death, and assuring believers of their future bodily resurrection. Lk 24:1-7; Acts 1:1-3; Acts 2:22-33; Rom 8:10-11; 1 Cor 15:1-23; I Pet 1:3-5;
10. The Ascension of Christ
Jesus ascended bodily into heaven to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He is the one and only Mediator between God and men, and Head of His church, ruling over all things for their sake. Mk 16:9; Lk 24:51; Acts1:9-11; 1 Tim 2:5-6; Heb 6:19-20; 8:1
11. Election and Responsibility
Before the foundation of the world, God elected in Christ a great multitude of men and women to eternal life as an act of His free grace alone. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit. Yet, in the unsearchable realm of God's sovereign will, the free offer of grace is extended to all people without discrimination in the proclaimation of the Gospel. "...whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" Rev 22:17. Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:3-6; 2 Tim 1:8-9
12. Calling and Faith
To accomplish God's redemptive purpose, the Holy Spirit works effectively through the Gospel, revealing the living Christ to the sinner's heart, and drawing them to cast their lives into His loving arms by faith. Acts 13:48, 16,14, 2 Thes 2:14; Rom 8:29-30; Rom 6:44.
13. The New Birth and the Indwelling of Christ
Wrought by the Holy Spirit,faith emerging from the heart reveals that the believer has received spiritual new birth. He/she has been made a new spiritual creation in Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Eph 2:4-5, 8; 2Cor 5:17; Rom 8:9; 1Cor 3:16
14. Justification
The beleiver is declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ's perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit. It is granted through faith alone in the person and work of Christ alone. Rom 3:28; 5:1; Gal 2:16; Phil 3:9
15. Sanctification
Every believer is sealed (marked as God's possession by the Holy Spirit) and set apart (sanctified) in Christ as God's own child absolutely forever. The ongoing renewing of the mind and subsequent love-fruit produced in the believer's life does not (cannot) progressively add to his/her santification before God. Nor can one's failure to "measure up" detract from that sanctification. 1Co 1:2; 1Co 1:30; 1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; Heb 10:10' Jde 1:1
16. Perseverance
All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away, though they may lapse for a season. Perseverance is not a human accomplishment but a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes a living, growing,transforming, and enduring faith in all true believers. Mat 10:22; Phil 1:6; 2:13; 1Cor 15:2; Heb 3:14
17. The Church
The local church is the body of Christ and is under the authority of Christ alone. Qualified and appointed (ordained) pastor/elders are charged as 'undershepherds" to nourish the flock through the Word of God and to care for His body, having general oversight for thier spiritual well-being. Qualified deacons are to assist the elders in practical issues as needs arise. Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy
Spirit to edify the body. The local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ represented in all true churches. Mat 16:18; Act 2:47; Act 20:28; Col 1:18, 1Ti 3:1-15
18. Baptism
Baptism is the believer's public affirmation of his/her faith and union with Christ. Baptism is to be by immersion in water, symbolizing both the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection and washing away of sin. Act 2:41; Act 10:47; Act 18:8; Rom 6:4;Col 2:12
19. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper (or Communion)is a celebration and remeberance inaugurated by Christ just before His crucifixion. By together breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. Through the Lord's Supper, they affirm and celebrate their oneness with each other, and their fellowship
and union with Christ in the New Covenant. Lk 22:19-20; 1Co 11:23; 1Co 11:24; 1Co 11:25; 1Co 11:26
20. Christ's Commission to the Church
Christ commanded His Church to go into all the world and...
> to make diciples from every people group by the preaching of the Gospel;
> to baptize them as a profession of faith in the Name of the Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
> and to teach them His Word for their faith's strengthening and to equip for works of servive. Mat 28:18-20; Mat 24:14
21. The Return of Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again in power and great glory, and every eye shall behold Him. Those presently in Heaven will brought with Him, and and their physical bodies raised and glorified. The living saints (believers) will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and caught up to meet them in the air. All God-rejectors of all time will be raised and brought to appear before His judgement throne to give an account. Being found naked and ashamed before Him they shall be sentenced to eternal death in the lake of fire. The Church - Christ's Bride - shall reign and rule with him over the new heavens and the new earth - God's creation perfectly restored and reconciled in Christ. Mat 24:29-31, 44; 25:31; Acts 1:10-11; 1Cor 15:20-23; 1Thes 4:13-18; 2Thes 1:3-12; 2:1-12; 2Pet 3
22. The Old Covenant (The Law)
Through the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses with the Ten Commandments at its core and over six-hundred supporting commandments), God established the Chidren of Israel as a covenant nation, promising earthly blessings for obedience, and threatening curses for disobedience. Its purpose was never to offer eternal life, but rather...
> To form and preserve in history Isreal as the "womb" through which the Promised Seed (Christ) would come into the world.
> As a representive sample of humanity, to reveal the sinfulness of man in the light of the righteousness of God.
> Through the shadows and types of the Priesthood and Temple worship, and through the direct words of the prophets, to reveal and point to Christ.
> Through their providential history to provide admontion and warning to the professing New Covenant church. Exodus 19:4-5; 20:1-17; Rom 3:19-20; Heb 8:5; 10:1
23. The New Covenant
The New Covenant, established through the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, provides eternal salvation and blessings which are acquired by grace through faith. The Old Covenant reached its fulfillment in Christ, thus becoming obsolete. Christ indwelling the believer by the Holy Spirit, thereby inscribing truth upon the heart is the core of the New Covenant in fulfilment Jer 31:31-34, Ezek 36:26, 2 Cor 3. The New Covenant works from the inside out. Empowered by divine love, it bears the fruit of the character of Christ in the believer's life. Jer 31:31-34; Mat 26:28; 2Cor 3:3-18; Heb 7:22; Heb 8:6; Heb 12:24
24. The Glory of God
Christians exist for glory of God as they are Christ-bearers, worshipping Him and exhibiting the love-fruit of the Spirit in the world. (In truth, all things serve to glorify God as their highest purpose, "For of Him and
through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36. Eph 1:12, 1 Cor 10:31.
—————————————————————-
The Five Solas
In preserving and defending the true Christian doctrines that were rediscovered during the Protestant Reformation, we affirm and teach these five truths:
1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by
which all Christian behavior must be measured.
2. Sola Gratia (by Grace alone)
In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. The supernatural work of the Holy Spirit brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
3. Sola Fide (through Faith alone)
Justification is by grace alone through faith alone. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness.
4. Solus Christus (because of Christ alone)
Our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary death alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.
5. Soli Deo Gloria (for the Glory of God alone)
God glorifies Himself in all that He does. Therefore we should acknowledge His purpose and live for His glory alone.