STATEMENT OF FAITH
A summary of the core beliefs of biblical, historic Christianity.
I. Scripture
The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments were authored by divinely-inspired human writers, and they are the only infallible and sufficient standard for establishing and evaluating all traditions that pertain to saving knowledge and spiritual practice. Scriptural texts may vary in style, content, and clarity, but the ultimate interpreter of Scripture is Scripture itself. The illumination of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the right understanding and application of His Word.
2 Tim. 3:15–17; Prov. 30:5–6; 2 Pet. 3:2, 15–16; John 16:13–14, 17:17
II. The Triune God
There exists only one true and living God, a pure and most absolute Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in glory and perfection. He is eternal, unchanging, incomprehensible, ever-present, almighty, and worthy of the highest love, worship, and obedience. This one God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each identical in divine substance, glory, and power but also distinct in personal properties in relation to each other and particular roles in relation to creation.
Exo. 3:14; Deut. 6:4, 32:4; Isa. 46:9–10; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
III. God the Father
The Father is the First Person of the Trinity. He is the unbegotten source of all divine life and the Maker of all that exists, designing, sustaining, and governing His creation by His eternal decree while maintaining human freedom and responsibility. He is the lawgiver and the architect of humanity’s redemption, sovereignly appointing His saints to salvation from before the foundation of the world and working all things according to the counsel of His will, to the praise of His glory.
Ps. 33:6; John 5:26; 15:26; Isa. 61:1; Eph. 1:11; Acts 4:27–28
IV. God the Son
The Son is the Second Person of the Trinity, eternally begotten of the Father, and the Word through whom all things were made. As the only Mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself a fully human nature, was born of the virgin Mary, perfectly fulfilled the Law, and died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. He was buried, rose again on the third day, and ascended into heaven, where He continues to intercede for His people.
John 1:1–3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:14–18; Isa. 53:6; 1 Cor. 15:3–4; Rom. 8:34
V. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, who eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son. He is the Lord and giver of life, awakening sinners to embrace the gospel, applying the benefits of Christ’s work to their lives through His conviction, comfort, and counsel, and assuring them of their adoption as children of God. He empowers believers to bear spiritual fruit and imparts them with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church.
John 15:26; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22–23; Rom. 8:15; 1 Cor. 12:4–11
VI. Salvation
God created man and woman in His image, but Adam’s disobedience resulted in a sinful humanity alienated from God and under His righteous judgment. Reconciliation is entirely the gracious work of the triune God, whereby the Father sends the Son to save sinners, Jesus Christ satisfies the penalty of their sin, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies them through faith alone. Divine grace is not conditioned, merited, or manipulated by human effort. It flows from His eternal love and results in transformed lives that glorify God.
Eph. 2:1–3; 1 Pet. 1:1–3; Eze. 36:26–27; 2 Tim. 1:9; Tit. 2:14
VII. Christian Living
Believers are called to holiness and obedience to God’s commands, and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate evidence of a true and living faith. These good works include the Christian duty to love one’s neighbor, promote human flourishing, and submit to the civil authorities for the public good. In matters not expressly directed by Scripture, believers are free to exercise their conscience under the lordship and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Phil. 2:12–13; Jas. 2:18; Gal. 5:22–23; 1 Pet. 2:17; Rom. 14:4
VIII. The Church
Christ is the Head of the Church, comprising all true disciples throughout the ages. Christians are called to assemble in local congregations, to whom Christ has given the authority to propagate the gospel, conduct worship, administer ordinances and discipline, and display God’s love to the world. The regular officers of a church are elders and deacons, who shepherd and support the members to use their gifts for proper and effective ministry.
1 Cor. 1:2; Heb. 10:24–25; Gal. 6:10; Acts 6:2–4; 1 Pet. 5:1–4
IX. Sacred Ordinances
Christ has instituted baptism and the Lord’s Supper as signs of our participation in the new covenant, to be received by faith. In baptism, ordinarily, a new believer signifies their union with Christ by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the Lord’s Supper, the church remembers and communes with Christ through the emblems of bread and wine.
Matt. 28:18–20; Rom. 6:3–5; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 10:16–17, 11:26
X. Final Judgment
Believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, cannot lose their salvation but will certainly persevere to the end. The souls of dead believers enter Paradise until the final resurrection. God has appointed a day when Jesus Christ will return to judge the world. The bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised. The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment and the righteous into everlasting life.
John 6:40, 10:28–29; Luke 23:43; Acts 10:42; 2 Thess. 1:7–10