2. The Trinity

We believe there is one living and true God.¹ He is a perfect spiritual being:² infinite, self-existent,³ and unchanging.⁴ He exists eternally⁵ as three distinct persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.⁶ Each Person is truly God, equal in every divine perfection, but executing distinct roles in creation, providence, and redemption. This Triune God is the Creator and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth.⁷ He is merciful, just, and loving,⁸ and He governs all things according to His wise and sovereign will for His glory.⁹ He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness,¹⁰ and is worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love.¹¹

(¹1 Cor. 8:4,6; Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10, ²John 4:24, ³John 5:26, ⁴Mal. 3:6, ⁵Ps. 90:2, ⁶Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Mark 1:9-11, ⁷Ps. 115:3; Is. 46:10, ⁸Exod. 34:6-7, ⁹Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:36, ¹⁰Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8, ¹¹Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37)

3. God the Father

We believe God the Father is the first person of the Trinity.¹ He was neither made nor created nor begotten by any.² He is the Creator of all things visible and invisible.³ He mercifully concerns Himself with all human affairs;⁴ He hears and answers prayer;⁵ and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.⁶

(¹Matt. 28:19; Rom. 1:7, ²1 Cor. 8:6; John 5:26, ³Gen. 1:1; Isa. 40:28, ⁴Matt. 5:43; Acts 14:17, ⁵Matt. 7:7-11, ⁶John 3:16; Tit. 3:4-7)

4. Jesus Christ, the Son

We believe God the Son is the second person of the Trinity.¹ He was neither made nor created,² but is eternally begotten of the Father.³ All things were made through Him and for Him.⁴ In the fullness of time,⁵ He came down from heaven⁶ and became a man.⁷ He is therefore both truly God and truly man.⁸ He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.⁹ He lived a perfect and sinless life,¹⁰ performed miracles,¹¹ died for the sins of His people,¹² and was raised from the dead on the third day.¹³ He ascended into heaven¹⁴ and will return to judge the living and the dead.¹⁵

(¹Matt. 28:19; John 20:31, ²John 1:1-3, ³John 3:16; 1 John 4:9, ⁴Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2, ⁵Gal. 4:4-5, ⁶John 6:38, ⁷John 1:14; Phil. 2:6-8, ⁸John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9, ⁹Matt. 1:18-23, ¹⁰Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22, ¹¹John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22, ¹²Isa. 53:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:24, ¹³Luke 24:6-7; 1 Cor. 15:3-4, ¹⁴Acts 1:9-11 , ¹⁵Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1)

5. God the Holy Spirit

We believe God the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity.¹ He was neither made, nor created,² nor begotten, but eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.³ He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment,⁴ and He regenerates,⁵ sanctifies,⁶ empowers,⁷ and seals every believer.⁸ He imparts spiritual gifts to all Christians for the building up the body of Christ⁹ and He indwells every believer¹⁰ as their abiding Helper,¹¹ Teacher,¹² and Guide.¹³

(¹Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4, ²Gen. 1:2; Heb. 9:14, ³John 15:26, ⁴John 16:8-11, ⁵John 3:5-8, ⁶2 Thess. 2:13, ⁷Acts 1:8, ⁸Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30, ⁹1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-13, ¹⁰Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 6:19, ¹¹John 14:16-17, ¹²John 14:26, ¹³John 16:13)

6. The Providence of God

We believe God is sovereign over all creation¹ and works all things according to the counsel of His will.² He decrees, directs, upholds, and governs all creatures and all events,³ so that nothing happens by chance,⁴ but by His purposeful, wise, and fatherly hand. God’s Providence ensures that all things will ultimately work for His own glory⁵ and the good of His people.⁶ At the same time, God’s Providence is fully compatible with human freedom and responsibility⁷ and in no way makes God the author or approver of sin.⁸

(¹Ps. 103:19, ²Eph. 1:11; Isa. 46:9-10, ³Heb. 1:3; Prov. 21:1; ⁴Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:29-31, ⁵Rom. 11:36; Isa. 48:11, ⁶Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20, ⁷Acts 2:23; Isa. 10:6-7,12; Phil. 2:12-13, ⁸Jam. 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Hab. 1:13)

7. The State of Humanity

We believe all human beings have inherent dignity and worth because they are created in the image of God.¹ Humanity was originally created good and without sin,² but through the willful disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve,³ all people are now born spiritually dead in sin.⁴ As a result, all humanity is sinful both by nature and by choice.⁵ Left to ourselves, we suppress the truth about God,⁶ worship idols, and fall short of the holiness He requires.⁷ Apart from God’s saving grace, all people are inclined toward evil,⁸ unable to turn to Him,⁹ and stand under His just condemnation, without defense or excuse.¹⁰

(¹Gen. 1:26-27, ²Gen. 1:31; Eccl. 7:29, ³Gen. 3:6-7; Rom. 5:12, ⁴Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 2:13, ⁵Rom. 3:10-12; Ps. 51:5, ⁶Rom. 1:18, ⁷Rom. 3:23, ⁸Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9, ⁹John 6:44; Rom. 8:7-8, ¹⁰John 3:18-19; Rom. 1:20)

8. The Gospel

We believe the gospel is the good news of God reconciling sinners to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.¹ In His life, Jesus perfectly fulfilled God’s law,² achieving perfect righteousness for His people.³ In His death, Jesus became the sin-bearing substitute⁴ who satisfied God’s wrath⁵ and secured a perfect peace between God and His people.⁶ In His resurrection, Jesus secured everlasting life for His people by conquering sin, death, and Satan.⁷ This good news is foolishness to the world,⁸ but it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.⁹ It is the foundation of the life of the Church¹⁰ and our only hope for salvation and sanctification.¹¹ It is to be proclaimed by the church to all people and in every part of the world.¹²

(¹ 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 5:10-11, ²Matt. 5:17, ³2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:18-19, ⁴Isa. 53:4-6, ⁵Rom. 3:24-26; Rom. 5:9, ⁶Rom. 5:1, ⁷John 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15, ⁸1 Cor. 1:18, ⁹Rom. 1:16, ¹⁰Eph. 2:19-22, ¹¹Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:30, ¹²Rom. 10:14-17; Acts 1:8)

9. The Gift of Salvation

We believe salvation is entirely the gift of God,¹ granted by grace alone apart from merit,² received through faith alone apart from works,³ accomplished in Christ alone apart from any other mediator,⁴ and directed to the glory of God alone apart from all human boasting.⁵

10. Election

We believe that before the foundation of the world, God chose a people for Himself in Jesus Christ.¹ This choice was made solely by His gracious initiative and not because of any foreseen merit in those who receive His mercy.² This truth in no way contradicts human responsibility but is fully compatible with the reality of human choice.³ Nor does it negate the use of appointed means,⁴ but rather encourages their diligent use.⁵ This great and mysterious⁶ doctrine displays God’s sovereign goodness as infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable.⁷ It excludes all human boasting⁸ and instead promotes humility before God and man, assurance in His everlasting love,⁹ and fervent worship, prayer, and trust in God.

(¹Eph. 1:4-5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Acts 13:48, ²Rom. 9:11-18; Eph. 1:5-6, ³John 3:18; John 5:39-40, ⁴Rom. 10:13-17, ⁵2 Tim. 2:10; Acts 18:9-11, ⁶Deut. 29:29, ⁷Rom. 11:33-36; Rom. 9:22-24, ⁸Eph.2:9, ⁹Rom. 8:28-39)

11. Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved sinners must be regenerated, or born again.¹ Regeneration is a sovereign, supernatural, and instantaneous work of God² in which the Holy Spirit unites the sinner to Christ and imparts new spiritual life.³ Through regeneration the heart is renewed,⁴ the mind is enlightened,⁵ and the will is enabled so that the sinner freely turns to Christ in repentance and faith. Regeneration is evidenced by a new love for God and others,⁶ a deepening hatred of sin,⁷ and a growing obedience to God in all of life.⁸

(¹John 3:3-8; Tit. 3:5, ²Ezek. 36:25-26; John 1:12-13, ³Rom. 6:3-5; Eph. 2:4-7, ⁴Ezek. 36:26, ⁵2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17-18, ⁶1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 5:1-2, ⁷1 John 3:9; Ps. 97:10, ⁸1 John 2:29)

12. Repentance & Faith

We believe repentance and faith are required by God for salvation.¹ These inseparable graces are produced in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and also consciously exercised by the regenerate believer. Repentance occurs when a person recognizes the evil of their sin,² humbles themselves with godly sorrow,³ turns to God for mercy,⁴ and sincerely seeks to walk in obedience before Him in all things.⁵ Faith is trusting in Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, according to the promises of God in Scripture.⁶ This faith may at times be assailed and weakened,⁷ but it is ultimately victorious through Christ,⁸ who is its author and finisher.⁹ True repentance and faith will continue throughout the whole Christian life and will be demonstrated by the fruit of good works.¹⁰

(¹Mark 1:14-15; Acts 20:21, ²Ps. 51:3-4; Luke 15:17-19, ³2 Cor. 7:10, ⁴Luke 18:13-14; Isa. 55:6-7, ⁵1 John 2:3-6, ⁶Acts 16:30-31; John 3:16, ⁷Luke 22:31-31, ⁸1 John 5:4-5, ⁹Heb. 12:2, ¹⁰Jam. 2:17-18; Eph. 2:10)

13. Justification

We believe justification is God’s legal declaration that all who are united with Christ by faith are forgiven of their sins and counted righteous in His sight.¹ This righteousness is not earned by anything we do, but rests entirely on the obedience and sacrifice of Christ.² Therefore, we receive justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.³ In this way, God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus.⁴

(¹Rom. 4:5-8; Phil. 3:8-9; Eph. 1:7, ²2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 1:30, ³Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:21-25, ⁴Rom. 3:26)

14. Adoption

We believe all who are justified through faith in Christ are no longer children of wrath¹ but are graciously adopted into God’s family through His Son.² As His children, God loves them as He loves His only begotten Son,³ places His name upon them,⁴ gives them the Spirit of adoption,⁵ and grants them confident access to the throne of grace.⁶ As a loving Father, He pities,⁷ protects,⁸ provides for,⁹ and disciplines them.¹⁰ They are never cast off¹¹ but are sealed until the day of redemption¹² and inherit God’s promises as co-heirs with Christ.¹³

(¹Eph. 2:3, ²John 1:12; Eph. 1:5-6, ³John 17:23, ⁴Rev. 3:12, ⁵Rom. 8:14-17, ⁶Heb. 4:14-16, ⁷Ps. 103:13, ⁸2 Thess. 3:3, ⁹Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 12:28, ¹⁰Heb. 12:6, ¹¹John 6:37, ¹²Eph. 4:30, ¹³Rom. 8:17)

15. Sanctification

We believe all who are united with Christ by faith are being conformed to His image through sanctification.¹ This is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit that continues until death or the glorious return of our Lord.² We participate in sanctification by denying ourselves,³ turning from sinful desires,⁴ and seeking to renew our minds through God’s Word and prayer.⁵ Sanctification is marked by ongoing repentance,⁶ joyful obedience to Scripture,⁷ growing confidence in God’s promises,⁸ and loving fellowship with His people through active involvement in the church.⁹ It is not characterized by sinless perfection,¹⁰ but by a persistent fight against sin and a growing display of the fruit of the Spirit.¹¹

(¹Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18, ²Phil. 1:6, ³Mark 8:34, ⁴Gal. 5:24, ⁵Rom. 12:1-2; John 17:17, ⁶Luke 3:8; Rev. 3:19, ⁷Matt. 7:21-27, ⁸Rom. 4:20-21, ⁹1 John 3:14; 1 John 4:20, ¹⁰1 John 1:8, ¹¹Gal. 5:22-23)

16. Preservation of the Saints

We believe all who have truly experienced God’s saving grace are kept and preserved by Him until the end.¹ Although they may fall into serious sin—grieving the Holy Spirit, weakening their assurance, and bringing harm to themselves and others—they will never completely or finally fall away from grace. God will restore them to repentance.² This preservation does not depend on human will,³ but on the unchanging decree of election, which flows from the free and unfailing love of God the Father.⁴ It also rests on the effective work and ongoing intercession of Jesus Christ,⁵ as well as the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.⁶ Because of these things, the preservation of the saints is certain and infallible.

(¹John 10:28-30; John 6:35-40; Phil. 1:6, ²Matt. 26:69-75, ³Rom. 9:16, ⁴Rom. 8:30-39; Jer. 32:40, ⁵Rom. 8:34, ⁶Eph. 4:30)

17. The Church

We believe in one, holy, universal, and apostolic church. This universal church is a living spiritual body, with the risen Christ as its head and all regenerated believers from every age as its members.¹ This universal church is made visible in local churches, which all Christians are commanded to join as they are able. A local church is a congregation of believing and baptized Christians, covenanted together in membership and striving for obedience to all that Christ has commanded.² This obedience includes regular gathering for public worship,³ discipling one another in godliness and brotherly love,⁴ and supporting the spread of the gospel to all nations of the earth.⁵ To each local church Christ has given authority, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to appoint their own Elders and Deacons,⁶ to affirm one another through membership and the Ordinances,⁷ and to practice loving church discipline.⁸

(¹Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23, ²Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 12:4-5, ³Heb. 10:25, ⁴Eph. 4:15-16, ⁵Matt. 28:19-20, ⁶Acts 6:3-6; Acts 14:23, ⁷Acts 2:41; 1 Cor. 10:17, ⁸Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5)

18. The Ordinances

We believe the Lord Jesus has given two ordinances to be observed in His church until the end of the age. These two ordinances are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper,¹ which serve as tangible signs of the New Covenant,² expressing most wonderfully our blessed union with Christ.³ They are to be celebrated in the church as a way to strengthen assurance, nourish faith, deepen unity, and visibly distinguish the church from the world.⁴ Neither Baptism nor the Lord’s Supper are intended to accomplish salvation, but rather to be a picture of the salvation already accomplished by Jesus and received by faith alone.⁵

(¹Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25, ²Luke 22:20, ³Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27, ⁴1 Cor. 10:16-17, ⁵Eph. 2:8-9)

19. Baptism

We believe Christian Baptism is the public declaration of a believer’s faith in Jesus and that the immersion of a believer in water,¹ in the name of the Triune God,² is the richest expression of this ordinance. It is a beautiful symbol of the washing away of sin³ and of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, by which we also have died to sin and been raised to new life.⁴ Baptism is the visible way of identifying with Christ and His people, as well as the sign of initial entry into the New Covenant.⁵ Therefore, we believe that Baptism is commanded for every believer and is a prerequisite to church membership and participation in the Lord’s Supper.

(¹Acts 8:12, ²Matt. 28:19, ³Acts 22:16, ⁴Rom. 6:3-4, ⁵Acts 2:41)

20. The Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord’s Supper is an ongoing¹ and visible sign of the New Covenant² and a tangible expression of union with Christ through His broken body and shed blood. Although Christ is not physically present in the elements themselves, God spiritually nourishes His people as they physically partake of the bread and cup. In partaking of this ordinance, the church is to remember and proclaim the dying love of Christ,³ rejoice in its communion with Him and one another,⁴ and look forward to the day when all the redeemed will feast with Him at His return.⁵

(¹1 Cor. 11:25-26, ²Luke 22:20, ³Luke 22:19, ⁴1 Cor. 10:17, ⁵Luke 22:16)

21. The Lord’s Day

We believe God has appointed one day in seven for rest and worship.¹ From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, the appointed day was the last day of the week.² After the resurrection of Christ it was changed to the first day of the week, which is called the Lord’s Day.³ The Lord’s Day is kept holy by devoting ourselves to public and private worship,⁴ resting from unnecessary employments, serving others in acts of mercy,⁵ and joyfully anticipating our eternal rest.⁶ Activities on the Lord’s Day should be consistent with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.⁷

(¹Gen. 2:2-3, ²Exod. 20:8, ³Rev. 1:10; Mark 16:2; Acts, 20:7, ⁴Heb. 10:25, ⁵Luke 6:6-11, ⁶Heb. 4:9, ⁷Rom. 14:5-6)

22. The Design of Man and Woman

We believe both men and women are created in the divine image and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same dignity and value.¹ Both men and women are recipients of spiritual gifts designed to equip and empower them for ministry in the local church and beyond.² We also believe that God in His perfect wisdom has ordained the principle of male headship in the home³ and in the local church, and that certain governing and teaching roles, namely Eldership, should be restricted to qualified men.⁴

(¹Gen. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 11:2-16, ²1 Cor. 12:7; Acts 21:8-9, ³Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Cor. 11:13, ⁴1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Tim. 3:1-7).

23. Final Judgment and the World to Come

We believe Jesus Christ will return again in all glory and power.¹ At His return, the bodies of all who have died, both just and unjust, will be raised from the dead, so that all persons from all of time will face the final judgment.² The wicked, who are apart from Christ, will be judged and justly sentenced to everlasting punishment in hell.³ The righteous, who belong to Christ, will be granted eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. In this new creation, the saints will live in the very presence of God, worshipping, enjoying, and glorifying Him forever, experiencing ever-increasing joy without sin, death, pain, or mourning of any kind.⁴

(¹Rev. 1:7; Mark 8:38, ²John 5:25-30; Matt. 25:31-41, ³2 Thess. 1:5-10; Rev. 14:11; Dan. 12:1-2, ⁴Rev. 21:1-7)