Comprehensive Doctrinal Statement
Ministry leadership members (elders, deacons, pastors, staff, teachers, small group leaders, and ministry team leaders) are required to believe and fully support the full doctrinal statement.
God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three co-equal Persons. The Father and the Son and the Spirit are each God and the Father and the Son and the Spirit are each a distinct Person, yet one God.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; see also Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 2:9)
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; see also Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 2:9)
Jesus Christ
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God so that he now abides eternally as fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order to live a sinless life, reveal God, fulfill prophecy, and redeem sinful humankind.
(Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14, 18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15)
We believe He accomplished our redemption through His substitutionary and sacrificial death on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. We believe our redemption and salvation are guaranteed by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is the only means of salvation.
(Matthew 28:5–6; John 14:6; Luke 1:35; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:24–26, 4:25; Philippians 2:5–8; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14, 7:25; 1 John 2:2)
We believe Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, the uncreated creator, the firstborn of all creation, the sustainer of heaven and earth, and the head of the church. We believe Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and exercises that headship through the commands of Scripture, the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of godly people, whose leadership members of a local church are called to obey. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God the Father where, as high priest to His people, He serves as our advocate and intercedes for us.
(Colossians 1:15–19; Hebrews 1:3, 3:1; 7:23–25, 13:17; 1 John 2:1–2)
(Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14, 18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15)
We believe He accomplished our redemption through His substitutionary and sacrificial death on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. We believe our redemption and salvation are guaranteed by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is the only means of salvation.
(Matthew 28:5–6; John 14:6; Luke 1:35; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:24–26, 4:25; Philippians 2:5–8; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14, 7:25; 1 John 2:2)
We believe Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, the uncreated creator, the firstborn of all creation, the sustainer of heaven and earth, and the head of the church. We believe Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and exercises that headship through the commands of Scripture, the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of godly people, whose leadership members of a local church are called to obey. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God the Father where, as high priest to His people, He serves as our advocate and intercedes for us.
(Colossians 1:15–19; Hebrews 1:3, 3:1; 7:23–25, 13:17; 1 John 2:1–2)
Holy Spirit
We believe God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world and convicts people of sin. He also regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them at the moment of regeneration into the body of Christ (the Church) indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one, and fills those yielded to Him.
(John 3:8, 14:16–17, 16:7–11; 1 Corinthians 12:4–13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18)
(John 3:8, 14:16–17, 16:7–11; 1 Corinthians 12:4–13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18)
Bible
We believe the whole Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (which excludes the Apocrypha) is verbally and fully inspired by God and without error in the original writings, and it is the supreme and final authority in faith and life.
(John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:21)
(John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:21)
Angels
We believe angels are spiritual beings who were created sinless personalities and that they presently exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former including Satan and his demons. Angels in heaven engage in spiritual warfare in support of God and His people, while fallen angels engage in spiritual warfare in opposition to God and His people.
We believe that Satan, by his own choice, is the originator of sin, that he led our first parents into sin, that he now rules as the god of this world as the enemy of God and His people, that he was judged at the cross, and that he and the demons will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
(Genesis 3:1–19; Isaiah 14:12–14; Daniel 10; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4; Ephesians 6:10–20; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10)
We believe that Satan, by his own choice, is the originator of sin, that he led our first parents into sin, that he now rules as the god of this world as the enemy of God and His people, that he was judged at the cross, and that he and the demons will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
(Genesis 3:1–19; Isaiah 14:12–14; Daniel 10; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4; Ephesians 6:10–20; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10)
Humankind
We believe humankind was created innocent and in the image of God, but humankind sinned, bringing both physical and spiritual death to themselves and their posterity, can do nothing to merit God’s favor, and as such is in need of salvation. We believe humankind’s sinful nature is rebellious toward God and His good design for life and worship. Humankind’s rebellion causes confusion about good and evil, and harm to people ultimately ending in judgment, despair, and death.
(Genesis 1:27, 1:31, 2:7, 3:19; Isaiah 59:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 1:20–24, 6:23; Galatians 5:16–21; Ephesians 2:1–3; James 1:13–15)
We believe God created humans sexually and biologically different as male and female at conception, each possessing equal personal dignity and value. In a fallen world, God’s design is corrupted by physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. We are called to show mercy and extend compassion to all brokenness, but we hold that His design is good because He affirmed it.
(Genesis 1:26–28)
We believe God ordained marriage as a lifelong union between one biological man and one biological woman (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:4–9; Ephesians 5:31–33). Those who accept and live within God’s design for sex, biological gender, and marriage experience the blessing of His good design (Psalm 1:1–3, 128:1–4). Decisions to change, alter, or modify God’s will in marriage, sex, or biological gender are part of man’s brokenness and lead to despair.
(Romans 1:21–22; James 1:13–15)
We believe God loves and pursues humankind despite our rebellion (Romans 5:8). He offers forgiveness, restoration, and abundant life to anyone who turns to Him in humility.
(John 3:17, 10:10; Titus 3:3–7; 1 Peter 5:6–7)
(Genesis 1:27, 1:31, 2:7, 3:19; Isaiah 59:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 1:20–24, 6:23; Galatians 5:16–21; Ephesians 2:1–3; James 1:13–15)
We believe God created humans sexually and biologically different as male and female at conception, each possessing equal personal dignity and value. In a fallen world, God’s design is corrupted by physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. We are called to show mercy and extend compassion to all brokenness, but we hold that His design is good because He affirmed it.
(Genesis 1:26–28)
We believe God ordained marriage as a lifelong union between one biological man and one biological woman (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:4–9; Ephesians 5:31–33). Those who accept and live within God’s design for sex, biological gender, and marriage experience the blessing of His good design (Psalm 1:1–3, 128:1–4). Decisions to change, alter, or modify God’s will in marriage, sex, or biological gender are part of man’s brokenness and lead to despair.
(Romans 1:21–22; James 1:13–15)
We believe God loves and pursues humankind despite our rebellion (Romans 5:8). He offers forgiveness, restoration, and abundant life to anyone who turns to Him in humility.
(John 3:17, 10:10; Titus 3:3–7; 1 Peter 5:6–7)
Salvation
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins on the cross, and all who believe in Him are saved because of His shed blood. (Acts 16:31; Romans 3:24–26; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4)
We believe salvation is a gift of God and is received through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe a person is justified by grace through faith apart from works. We believe Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation and no one is saved apart from a conscious and personal decision to trust in Him as Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9–10). We believe all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(John 10:27–30; Acts 13:38–39; Romans 6:23, 8:1, 8:38–39; Ephesians 2:8–10)
We believe salvation is a gift of God and is received through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe a person is justified by grace through faith apart from works. We believe Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation and no one is saved apart from a conscious and personal decision to trust in Him as Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9–10). We believe all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(John 10:27–30; Acts 13:38–39; Romans 6:23, 8:1, 8:38–39; Ephesians 2:8–10)
Sanctification
We believe all believers still possess a sinful nature in this life, but God has made full provision for believers to overcome this sinful nature and to live for God through identification with Christ, a proper understanding of and obedience to the Scriptures, and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
(Romans 7:15–21, 6:1–11, 8:11–13; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10)
We believe sanctification, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally, it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God as Christ is set apart unto God. Since the Christian retains his sinful nature, however, there is need for progressive sanctification whereby he grows in grace by the power of the Spirit. Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice (as he is now in his position in Christ) when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him.
(John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 10:10, 14)
(Romans 7:15–21, 6:1–11, 8:11–13; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10)
We believe sanctification, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally, it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God as Christ is set apart unto God. Since the Christian retains his sinful nature, however, there is need for progressive sanctification whereby he grows in grace by the power of the Spirit. Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice (as he is now in his position in Christ) when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him.
(John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 10:10, 14)
The Church
We believe the Church in its invisible form is the universal and true body of Christ. All believers in Christ Jesus, from the day of Pentecost until the Church is caught up to heaven, are members of the universal Church regardless of organizational affiliation. We affirm a believer is placed into the universal Church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit at the moment of saving faith. In regard to the Old and New Covenants of the Bible, we do not believe that the Kingdom promises made to Israel have either been forfeited because of their rejection of Jesus or are merely spiritually fulfilled in the Church.
(Matthew 16:18, 28:19; Acts 1:5, 11:15–16; 1 Corinthians 10:32, 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22–23, 4:4–6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17)
We believe the local church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purposes of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, mutual encouragement, equipping for and practice of Kingdom service, specifically stewarding our lives for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission.
(Matthew 16:18, 28:19–20; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 1:1–2; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
(Matthew 16:18, 28:19; Acts 1:5, 11:15–16; 1 Corinthians 10:32, 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22–23, 4:4–6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17)
We believe the local church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purposes of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, mutual encouragement, equipping for and practice of Kingdom service, specifically stewarding our lives for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission.
(Matthew 16:18, 28:19–20; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 1:1–2; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Baptism and Communion
We believe Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, both of which are to be observed by believers until He returns.
(Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
We believe by water baptism a believer publicly identifies with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We believe infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord but should not be baptized until they can personally articulate their faith and the purpose of baptism.
We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death and an expression of our faith in His future coming that is to be continually practiced by all believers. We believe every Christian has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, but participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination.
(Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
We believe by water baptism a believer publicly identifies with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We believe infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord but should not be baptized until they can personally articulate their faith and the purpose of baptism.
We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death and an expression of our faith in His future coming that is to be continually practiced by all believers. We believe every Christian has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, but participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination.
Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the future, visible, bodily, and premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth, commonly called the Second Coming. This will be preceded by His invisible return for the Church, all living and dead members of the body of Christ. We believe Christ will reign in righteousness and peace over the nations when he establishes His earthly, millennial kingdom.
(Zechariah 14:4–11; Matthew 24:15–31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 20:1–6)
(Zechariah 14:4–11; Matthew 24:15–31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 20:1–6)
Eternity
We believe sinners who die rejecting Christ will be eternally punished while true believers will live eternally in Heaven.
(Matthew 25:46; John 5:29, 6:40; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)
(Matthew 25:46; John 5:29, 6:40; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)