The Bible
The sole basis of our belief is the Bible—the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe Scripture in its entirety originated with God and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant; they are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. All Scripture is self-attesting and, being truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God. (Matthew 5:17-20; John 16:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
God
We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, God demonstrated His power, wisdom, and goodness by creating the world and everything in it. Through His divine power and providence, God continues to sustain His creation, operating within history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who know, love, and glorify one another. Perfectly equal in their divinity, however subordinate in responsibility; the Son submits to the will of the Father and the Holy Spirit is submitted to the will of the Father and the Son. This one true and living God is infinitely perfect both in His love and in His holiness. He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy to receive all glory and adoration. Immortal and eternal, He perfectly and completely knows the end from the beginning, sustains and sovereignly rules over all things, and providentially brings about His eternal good purposes to redeem a people for Himself and restore His fallen creation, to the praise of His glorious grace. (Genesis 1:2, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:1-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
Salvation
The central purpose of God’s creation of mankind was to allow us to experience the joys of His holy love, and to reflect His glory to all of His creation. Humanity’s act of pride and consequent sin resulted in the alienation of the human race from God, leaving us under the curse of sin and death. Since this “fall”, all people have suffered these consequences and are therefore without hope, and in desperate need of salvation. The salvation of humanity then, is completely a work of God’s free grace; it is not in any way the result of human works or goodness. Each person can receive salvation only by repentance and faith in the saving work of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the Trinity, was fully united with a human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, voluntarily paid the price for the sins of all people by dying on the cross as their substitute, and satisfied divine justice, bringing salvation to all who trust in Him alone. After His physical death, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father as the only intercessor between God and humans. He promises to return to earth, personally and visibly, to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God.
The Christian Life
People in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ are to live in holiness and obedience as they submit to and are filled by the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Sent by the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s saving work by enlightening the minds of sinners to their need to be saved, renewing every believer upon salvation, and becoming the source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and spiritual gifts for building up the church. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Bible. He empowers believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and bear fruit for the Father’s glory!