Statement of Faith
The precious truths we affirm together.
Scripture
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The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, was written by men under the inspiration of God
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It is fully true, complete, sufficient, authoritative, and without error in all that it says
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It is and always will be the true center of Christian unity and the highest authority in all matters of faith, conduct, and doctrine
GOD
| We believe that...
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There is one true and living God, the creator and sovereign ruler of heaven and earth
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This one God has existed for all of eternity as three distinct yet inseparable persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
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Each member of the Trinity is equally divine, of the same substance, with distinct but harmonious roles in the great work of redemption
HUMANITY
| We believe that...
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God created Adam & Eve in his image, perfectly holy, as male and female
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Therefore, every person of every race and worldview possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love
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In choosing to rebel against God, Adam & Eve fell from their sinless state and were corrupted by a sin nature which is passed down to all of humanity
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As a result, all people are sinful by nature and choice, fully deserving eternal separation from God in hell
CHRIST, THE REDEEMER
| We believe that...
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Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, yet without sin
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He perfectly fulfilled God’s law by his personal obedience
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He made full atonement for our sins by dying on the cross
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He rose bodily from the grave in victory over sin, and ascended into heaven
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Salvation is entirely on the basis of grace, given through the mediation of Jesus Christ
JUSTIFICATION
| We believe that...
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To be justified is to be declared righteous, or to be made right with God
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Justification is granted without consideration of any good works, but by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
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Through justification, Christ’s perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God
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Justification includes the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life
REGENERATION
| We believe that...
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To be regenerated is to be spiritually made alive or born again
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To be truly redeemed and reconciled with God, we must be regenerated
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Regeneration is brought about by the Holy Spirit, in connection with the divine truth of God’s word
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Regeneration results in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and secures our voluntary obedience to the gospel
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True regeneration is always marked by repentance, faith and newness of life
REPENTANCE & FAITH
| We believe that...
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Repentance and faith are both essential to true conversion
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They are brought about within us by the regenerating Spirit of God
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Being deeply convinced of our guilt before God, we turn to him, confessing our sin and asking for his mercy
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At the very same time, we wholeheartedly receive Jesus Christ as Lord, relying on him alone as our only and all-sufficient Savior
SANCTIFICATION
| We believe that...
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Sanctification is the lifelong process by which a Christian grows up into Christlike holiness
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Sanctification is a progressive work that begins at regeneration
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Sanctification takes place within us by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through the ongoing use of ordinary means, especially: the Word of God, self-reflection, self-denial, church fellowship, and prayer
PERSERVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
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Only those who are true believers will endure to the end
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Their persevering faith in Christ is what distinguishes them from false converts
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All true believers are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
A GOSPEL CHURCH
| We believe that...
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The Church is the gathered people of God redeemed by faith in Christ, from all places and all times
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This one Church is expressed here on earth as the collection of all true local churches
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A true local church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel
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A church’s two biblical officers are elders and deacons, whose qualifications and responsibilities are given in 1 Timothy and Titus
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Christ has sent his Church into the world to make disciples of all nations
THE ORDINANCES
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Baptism is the immersion of a believer into water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
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Baptism is a public display of a person’s faith in the crucified and risen Christ, as well as their death to sin and resurrection to new life in him
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Being commanded by Christ himself, baptism is required for church membership
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The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience in which the Church eats the bread and drinks the cup, remembering Christ’s death, anticipating his second coming, and celebrating their union in him
MARRIAGE & FAMILY
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God has ordained the family as the social foundation of human society, composed of people related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption
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Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime
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Husbands and wives are of equal dignity and worth before God, both being created in his image
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A husband is to love his wife sacrificially, as Christ loved the church, and has a God-given responsibility to lead and protect his family
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A wife is to submit herself graciously and thoughtfully to the servant leadership of her husband, as his essential helper in leading their household and nurturing the next generation
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Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord
CHURCH & STATE
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God has appointed civil government for the interests and good order of society
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Government leaders are to be prayed for and respected
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Church & state should remain separate, allowing each person to freely practice their faith according to their conscience
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All people are ultimately accountable to God and must not be constrained to obey laws that clearly violate his will as revealed in Scripture
THE WORLD TO COME
| We believe that...
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In the end, Christ will return bodily, raising the dead to final judgment
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This judgment will forever establish the state of all people in either heaven or hell
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God will renew his creation, bringing about a new heaven and a new earth where his redeemed people will enjoy eternal life and intimacy with him
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God’s glory will be restored to its rightful place for all of eternity, at the very center of all things