Statement
of Faith
1
God and the Trinity
We believe in the one true and living God, in
three persons: the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit, who
is invisible, personal, omnipresent, eternal, dependent on none, unchanging,
truthful, trustworthy, almighty, sovereign, omniscient, righteous, holy,
good, loving, merciful, long-suffering and gracious.
2 The Holy Scripture
We believe that Almighty God
has revealed all that is necessary to life and salvation in the sixty-six
books of Holy Scripture, which are the Word of
God. All Scripture was given by inspiration of
God, is infallible and inerrant, and is the final
arbiter in all disputes. Its authority is derived from its Author
and not from the opinions of men.
3 Election
We believe that God, before the foundation of
the world, for His own glory did elect a great
multitude of men and women to eternal life as an act of free and sovereign
grace. This election was in no way dependent upon His
foresight of human faith, decision, works or merit.
4
Adam Our Representative
We believe that God made our first father Adam
perfect, holy and upright. He was appointed representative and head
of the human race, thereby exposing all his offspring to the effects
of his obedience or disobedience to God's commands.
5
The Fall and Its Effects
We believe that Adam fell from his original righteousness into sin and
brought upon himself and all his offspring death, condemnation and a
sinful nature.
6
Man's Inability
We believe it is utterly beyond the power of fallen man to love God,
to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to
repent of sin or to trust in Christ.
7
Christ Our Representative
We believe that God sent His
Son into the world, conceived of the virgin Mary
by the Holy Spirit, unchangeably
sinless, both God and man, born under the law,
to live a perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His
elect people.
8
Particular Redemption
We believe that God's Son
died at Calvary to effect propitiation, reconciliation, redemption and
atonement for His elect people. God
bore testimony to His acceptance of His
Son's work by raising Him
bodily from the dead.
9
The Ascension of Christ
We believe that God's Son
ascended to the right hand of His Father
and is enthroned in glory, where He intercedes
on behalf of His people and rules over all things
for their sake.
10
Irresistible Grace
We believe that God the Son
has poured out the Holy Spirit
to work alongside the preached Word. The Spirit
of God regenerates elect sinners and draws them
irresistibly to faith in Christ the Savior.
11
Justification
We believe the elect, who are called by grace, are justified in the
sight of God on account of the imputed righteousness
of Jesus Christ, which is
received by faith alone.
12
Perseverance
We believe that all who are regenerated, called and justified shall
persevere in holiness and never finally fall away.
13
Evangelism
We believe it is the calling of every local church to participate in
fulfilling the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded us.
14
The Church
We believe that the local church is under the authority of Christ alone.
Nevertheless, He has appointed men to be elders (undershepherds) to
represent Him as they care for His body. Deacons also serve Christ as
His ministers of mercy. Furthermore, the communion of saints requires
the recognition of and fellowship with other local evangelical churches.
15
Church Ordinances
We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are gospel
ordinances belonging only to regenerated believers.
16
Eschatology
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead
bodily, both righteous and unrighteous, and that the righteous shall enjoy
everlasting life and the wicked endure everlasting punishment.