Doctrinal Statement

Our Confession of Faith

On the Nature of God:

• The eternal God exists in the Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  The Triune God created, sustains, and governs all things in the universe, yet He exists before all creation and is distinct from what He has made.
  
  
• Jesus Christ is God's only Son, sent by the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless and obedient life, suffered, and was crucified for those who believe in Him. God raised Him from the dead, exalted Him as Lord and Christ, and sent the promised Holy Spirit to the Church.

On the Original Covenant:

• The first human, Adam, was created in God's image but lost his original innocence by sinning against God. This brought condemnation and death upon himself and his descendants. Thus, humanity needs redemption but is entirely unable to save itself.
  
  
• Because of His love and mercy, God prepared the great work of redemption after humanity's fall and made a covenant of grace with His people. God not only promised but also provided the Savior, Jesus Christ, so that those who trust in Him may be justified and receive eternal life.
  

On the Doctrine of Salvation:

• The Old and New Testament Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant Word of God, revealing God's complete and saving will. They are the highest authority for Christian faith and life.
  
  
• Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Redeemed sinners become God's children and inherit eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity; only through Him can anyone come to the Father.
  
  
• God alone is the Lord of our conscience. Believers are free in faith and conduct from all human-made rules or additions that contradict or go beyond Scripture.
  
  
• Though we are free from the law in a traditional sense, we must still obey God's will and ways, abiding in Him and living a life free from habitual sin.

On Believers:

• All believers are ministers, serving together in unity, whether officially ordained or laypeople.
  
  
• Believers are made new in Christ, called to walk by the Spirit, die to sin, live in righteousness, imitate Christ, and bear the fruit of the Spirit. Good works are the duty of Christians but are not the basis of justification.
  
  
• All true believers belong to Christ, are temples of the Holy Spirit, members of Christ's body, and part of the invisible Church. The Church is holy, universal, and unified in Christ. The invisible Church is expressed through the visible Church, which consists of all who confess Christ with their hearts and mouths and have received baptism as God's people and a kingdom of priests. The Church must grow, attaining the full stature of Christ, and fulfill the mission of spreading the gospel through worship, sacraments, fellowship, discipline, service, and testimony.
  

The Future

• On the last day, Christ will return visibly and in person to judge the living and the dead. The dead will be resurrected. Believers, through the Holy Spirit, will inherit eternal life, while unbelievers will be condemned. At that time, the new heaven and new earth will begin.