The church of the living God is "the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15), therefore it is the responsibility of every member of the church to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3)
We offer this statement of faith, not as something new or profound, not as a response to any single system of false doctrine, but rather as a simple and sincere attempt to proclaim and defend the truth of God's Word.
We do not claim infallibility for this affirmation and are open to refinement and correction from Scripture.(1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Peter 3:18) Yet we do hold firmly to these truths as we see them and pray that the reader, whether in agreement or disagreement, will emulate the "fair-minded" people of Berea who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)
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"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the Word of God (1). All Scripture is inerrant and infallible, transmitted through human authors by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2). Scripture alone is the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men (3).
2. God and the TrinityThere is one true and living God (1) who exists in three eternally distinct persons (2): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (3). These three are one in essence (4), united in purpose (5), and equally worthy of honor (6). God is invisible, eternal, omni-present, almighty, all-knowing, unchanging, dependent upon none, sovereign, righteous, holy, just, gracious, loving, merciful, patient, and good (7).
3. CreationIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 This work of creation was completed in six days followed by a day of rest, and all that was created was declared to be very good by its Creator. The created order was effectively constructed by the omnipotent word of God, “so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3 (1). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit acted together in the work of creation (2). Out of all living things, only man was created in God's image. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself (3).
4. Sovereign ProvidenceGod orders and directs His universe in every detail (1). Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose (2). In God's infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people (3), and for His glory (4).
5. The Fall and Its EffectsGod made Adam perfect, holy, and upright (1), appointing him representative and head of the human race (2). He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God's command (3). 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 (4).
6. Man's InabilityThe Fall brought every man into a state of utter depravity, meaning all aspects of his being are distorted by sin (1). Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master (2), God as an enemy (3), and the message of the cross as foolishness (4). Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ (5).
7. The Birth and Life of ChristGod sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins (1). Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (2), He was and is both God and man (3). He was tempted in every way yet without sin (4), living the perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people (5).
8. The Death of ChristChrist died on the cross (1) as the perfect sacrifice for sin (2), forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement (3) for His people, the church (4).
9. The Resurrection of ChristOn the third day, Christ rose bodily from the grave (1). The resurrection affirms the deity of Christ (2) and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection (3).
10. The Ascension of ChristJesus ascended into heaven (1) to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin (2). He is the one and only Mediator between God and men (3), and Head of His church (4). He intercedes forever on behalf of His people (5) and rules over all things for their sake (6).
11. Election and ResponsibilityBefore the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women to eternal life (1) 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 (2). In the unsearchable realm of God's sovereign will (3), all men remain responsible beings, subject to God's commands to repent and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ (4).
12. Calling and RegenerationTo accomplish God's redemptive purpose (1), the Holy Spirit works effectively through the gospel of Christ (2), regenerating elect sinners (3) and drawing them irresistibly to repentance and saving faith (4).
13. JustificationThe elect are declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ's perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness (1). Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit (2), nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness (3). It is granted through faith alone.(4) in the person and work of Christ alone (5).
14. SanctificationAccording to God's purpose in predestination, the justified are progressively conformed into the image of Christ (1). All true believers direct their will and affections toward this purpose (2), putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh (3) by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit (4) as God's Word is more fully understood and applied (5). While sinless perfection will never be attained in this life (6), it is a certainty in heaven (7).
15. PerseveranceAll who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away (1). 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 (2).
16. The ChurchThe local church is the body of Christ and is under the authority of Christ alone (1). Nevertheless, qualified elders represent Him as they care for His body (2). Qualified deacons are to assist the elders as needs arise (3). Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to edify the body (4). The local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ represented in other true churches (5).
17. BaptismBaptism is the first act of Christian obedience (1). True baptism is immersion in water (2), signifying the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life (3), as well as cleansing from sin (4). Baptism may only be administered to those who demonstrate repentance from sin and make a credible profession of faith in Christ (5).
18. The Lord's SupperFollowing their baptism, Christians may, and indeed, must regularly partake of the Lord's Supper (1). By breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross (2). Through the Lord's Supper, they affirm and celebrate their oneness, their separation from the world, and their fellowship with Christ in the New Covenant (3).
19. EvangelismIt is the calling of every local church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded (1). It is a priority in evangelism to unite new believers with local churches (2).
20. The Return of ChristThe Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous (1). The justified shall enjoy everlasting life in the presence of God in heaven, while the unjustified shall eternally endure God's wrath in hell (2).
21. The Old CovenantThe Old Covenant, with the Law of Moses as its core (1), was revealed to the nation of Israel (2), promising earthly blessings for obedience (3), and threatening curses for disobedience (4). Its purpose was never to offer eternal life (5), but rather to govern the life and worship of the Old Testament nation of Israel (6), to reveal the extent of man's depravity (7), and to foreshadow Christ and the New Covenant (8).
22. The New CovenantThe New Covenant, established through the Person and redemptive work of Christ (1), provides eternal blessings which are acquired by grace through faith (2). The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete (3). God's final words of revelation, given through Christ and His New Testament apostles and prophets (4), have become the authority concerning Christian conduct, and the interpretive lens through which the Old Testament must be understood, and applied (5).
23. The Glory of GodChristians must live for God's glory alone (1) through their awareness and enjoyment of His Person (2), submission to His authority (3), and reliance upon His goodness (4). In truth, all things that have or will transpire, 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)