Statement Of Faith
Our Statement of Faith
is broken down into sections about particular topics of Scripture and contains Scripture
verses pertaining to why we believe what we do as a church.
Scriptures
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word (2 Peter 1:19-21). It is without error in its original manuscripts (Proverbs 30:5-6) and is the final authority for our faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible contains 66 books of the Protestant canon. We interpret Scripture based on its clear meaning and trust our church leaders to guide us in understanding it (Hebrews 13:17).
Supportive Verses:
Psalm 19:7-11, 119:11-16, 119:105; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:8; Luke 21:33; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12, 13:17; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21
God
We believe there is one true and living God (Deuteronomy 4:35). He created everything (Genesis 1:1), saves us (Psalm 78:35), sustains us (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24), and rules the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2). God exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are one in essence and eternal (Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7).
Supportive Verses:
Genesis 1:1, 1:26, 2:7; Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4; Psalm 19:1-2, 32:7, 78:35, 86:10, 97:10, 121:7-8; Isaiah 45:5; Matthew 28:19; John 17:3; Romans 3:29-30; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 John 5:7
God the Father
God is spirit (John 4:24), eternal, invisible, all-powerful (Jeremiah 10:10), all-knowing (1 Samuel 2:3), loving (1 John 4:16), and wise (1 Corinthians 1:25). He cares for everyone like a loving father (Matthew 7:11), but He is Father only to those who trust Jesus Christ as their Savior (Romans 8:14-15).
Supportive Verses:
Exodus 6:2-3; Deuteronomy 32:6; 1 Samuel 2:3; Psalm 31:23, 138:7; Proverbs 2:8; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 5:44-45, 6:26, 6:32, 7:11, 23:9; Luke 6:35; John 4:24; Romans 1:20-21, 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:25, 3:19-20, 8:6; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 4:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 3:1, 4:8, 4:16, 4:19
God the Son
Jesus Christ is God’s Son (John 1:1-3, 14). He was born of the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-35). Jesus was fully God and fully human, but without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died on the cross as a substitute for our sins (1 John 2:2), rose from the dead on the third day (Luke 24:36-43), and now sits at God’s right hand (Mark 16:19). Jesus is the only mediator between God and people (1 Timothy 2:5).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 11:27; Mark 1:9-11, 16:19; Luke 1:26-35, 22:69, 24:36-43, 24:46-48; John 1:1-3, 1:14, 8:58, 14:6, 14:11, 17:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:15-18, 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:2, 5:20
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God (John 15:26). He helps us understand truth, calls us to Jesus, and lives within believers (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit guides us to become more like Jesus and guarantees our salvation until the end (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Supportive Verses:
John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30
Creation
We believe God created the world exactly as described in Genesis (Genesis 1:1-25). We reject other explanations like evolution or the gap theory. Humans were specially made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). Our first parents sinned and caused sin to enter the world (Genesis 3:6-19). Because of sin, we are spiritually dead and need God’s grace to be saved through Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Supportive Verses:
Genesis 1:1-25, 1:26-27, 3:6-19; Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 3:18
Salvation
Everyone sins and falls short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23). Sin brings death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). But God loves us and offers eternal life through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). We are saved by faith in Jesus, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we accept Jesus as Lord, we are made right with God and become His children (Romans 8:16-17). Salvation is a gift and can never be earned. Those saved by Jesus will never lose their salvation and will be with Him forever after death (John 10:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8).
Supportive Verses:
Ecclesiastes 7:20; John 3:16-17, 4:23-24, 10:28-30; Romans 3:10-11, 3:23-24, 5:8, 5:9, 5:12, 6:23, 8:16-17, 10:9-10, 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, 5:17; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8, 2:9, 4:30; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:24, 3:18; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 4:9, 5:11-13
Family
God created the family as the basic unit of society (Proverbs 17:6). A family consists of people joined by marriage, blood, or adoption. Husbands are called to love and lead their wives (Ephesians 5:25-32), and wives are called to respect and support their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24). Children are a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5) and should be taught spiritual and moral values (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). We believe life begins at conception and that abortion is wrong in all cases (Exodus 20:13).
Supportive Verses:
Genesis 1:27-28; Exodus 20:12, 20:13; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 25:5, 127:3-5, 139:13-16; Proverbs 6:20-22, 12:4, 17:6, 18:22, 19:18, 22:6, 22:15, 23:13-14, 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; Ephesians 5:22-24, 5:25-32, 5:33, 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Peter 3:1-4, 3:7
Human Sexuality
Marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:3-6). Divorce is against God’s plan except in cases of sexual sin (Matthew 19:9). Sexual activity belongs only within marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Any sexual behavior outside of marriage, including homosexuality, fornication, adultery, incest, and pornography, is sin (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27).
Supportive Verses:
Genesis 1:27-28; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:6, 18:22, 18:23, 18:30; Proverbs 5:15-20, 6:32-33; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:28, 19:3-6, 19:9; Romans 1:26-27, 7:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 7:2-5, 7:39; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Hebrews 13:4
Christian Behavior
Christians are called to pursue things that are true, pure, and good (Philippians 4:8). We should forgive others (Colossians 3:12-13), love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48), and treat people fairly and kindly (Luke 6:36). We avoid judgmental attitudes but uphold biblical standards of right and wrong (John 7:24). Christians should be peacemakers and oppose racism and discrimination (Galatians 3:26-28).
Supportive Verses:
Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:9, 5:43-48, 6:14-15, 6:33-34, 7:1-5, 7:7-8, 7:12, 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 6:36, 11:9-13, 12:31; John 7:24; Galatians 3:26-28, 5:13-15; Ephesians 4:29, 4:31-32; Philippians 4:8, 4:9; Colossians 3:12-13; James 4:11
Loving God
God is the source of all love (1 John 4:16). Loving fellow believers is essential and shows the world we follow Jesus (John 15:12, 13:35). Obeying God’s Word proves our love for Him (1 John 2:5). Christians should share their faith by words and actions, always ready to help others (2 Timothy 2:24-26; Romans 12:9-21).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 5:38-42; Luke 6:35; John 13:35, 15:12; Romans 12:1-2, 12:9-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 John 2:5, 4:16, 4:19, 5:2-3
Spiritual Gifts / Good Works
The Holy Spirit gives every believer at least one gift to help others and strengthen the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). We must use these gifts faithfully (Romans 12:6-8) because knowing what to do and not doing it is sin (James 4:17). Good works should shine as a witness to others, showing the power of our faith (Matthew 5:14-16; James 2:18). Our lives should reflect Jesus in all we say and do (Colossians 3:17).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 5:14-16, 6:1-4, 6:19-21, 25:37-40; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:11-12; Colossians 3:17; Titus 3:8; James 2:18, 2:26, 4:17
Mentoring
Older men in the church should live self-controlled, respectful lives and guide younger men wisely (Ephesians 5:17-21; Titus 2:1-8). Older women should live in a way that honors God, teaching younger women by example (Titus 2:3-5). All Christians should listen carefully, speak kindly, be joyful, and pray continually (James 1:19-20; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22).
Supportive Verses:
Mark 11:24; Ephesians 5:15-16, 5:17-21; Philippians 4:4; Colossians 3:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22; 1 Timothy 2:9-11; Titus 2:1-2, 2:3, 2:4-5, 2:6-8; James 1:19-20, 5:16
Church Leadership
Men and women are equal before God (Galatians 3:26-29), but God has assigned different roles in the home and church. Men lead in the home (Colossians 3:18-21) and serve as pastors and elders in the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Only men can be ordained as pastors or elders. Both men and women serve as deacons and deaconesses (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Romans 16:1-2).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 20:25-26; Acts 6:1-7, 20:28; Romans 16:1-2; Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 2:12, 3:1-7, 3:8-13; Titus 1:5-9; James 5:13-15; 1 Peter 5:2-4
Church
The universal Church is made up of all believers from every time and place (Revelation 14:6-7). The local church is an independent community of believers (1 Peter 2:9). The church’s mission is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). God calls and equips every believer to serve in the church (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 18:20, 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8, 16:5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, 5:20; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:10, 3:20-21, 4:11-12; Colossians 1:18, 1:24; Hebrews 10:24-25, 13:15-16; James 1:22, 1:25; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 14:6-7
Holy Ordinances
The church practices two symbolic acts: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is immersion in water as a sign of faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection (Matthew 3:13-17; Romans 6:3-4). The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic meal remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and anticipating His return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 3:13-15, 3:16-17, 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25, 16:16; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-26
Stewardship
We honor God by giving generously through the church to help others (2 Corinthians 9:10-15). Giving shows God’s love in action (1 John 3:17-18). Giving is a joyful, willing act, not done out of pressure (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). God promises to bless those who give freely (2 Corinthians 9:8). We also give our time, talents, and resources, knowing we can never out-give God (Luke 6:38).
Supportive Verses:
Leviticus 27:30-32; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8, 3:10-12; Matthew 10:8; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 6:38, 12:16-21, 12:33-34, 16:13, 21:1-4; Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 14:12, 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 9:8, 9:10-15; Ephesians 5:15-16; 1 John 2:15, 3:17-18
Christ’s Return
No one knows the exact time Jesus will return (2 Peter 3:10). When He does, He will raise the dead, judge the world, and establish His eternal kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Revelation 21:1-4). Those who reject Him will face eternal punishment (Matthew 25:41). Believers will receive glorified bodies and live with Jesus forever (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).
Supportive Verses:
Matthew 24:27, 24:36-44, 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-4
