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A historical orthodox statement of faith
About the Bible
The Bible is God's unique revelation to people. It is the inspired, infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority on all matters upon which it teaches. No other writings are vested with such divine authority.
About God
There is only one God, creator of heaven and earth, who exists eternally as three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each fully God yet each personally distinct from the other.
About Humanity
All people are created in God's image and matter deeply to Him. We are the supreme object of God’s creation. Central to the message of the Bible is that God loves people, and invites us to live in communion with Himself and in community with each other.
About Salvation
Apart from Jesus Christ, we are all spiritually lost. Although we have tremendous potential for good, everyone is marred by an attitude of rebellion towards God called sin. Sin separates people from God. Because of sin, we deserve the judgment of God. However, God gives salvation and eternal life to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and in His sacrifice on his or her behalf. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, this Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, willingly took upon Himself all of our sins, died and rose again bodily. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He is the only Mediator between God and people. He will return to consummate history and to fulfill the eternal plan of God.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity, is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also indwells all believers. He is available to empower them to lead Christ-like lives, and gives them spiritual gifts with which to serve the church and reach out to a lost and needy world.
About Eternity
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. At the final judgment, unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. Believers will be received into God's loving presence and rewarded for their faithfulness to Him in this life. To be eternally in union with Him is heaven.
About the Church
All believers are members of the body of Christ, the one true church universal. Spiritual unity is to be expressed among Christians by acceptance and love of one another across ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, national, generational, gender, and denominational lines.
The local church is a congregation of believers who gather for worship, prayer, instruction, encouragement, mutual accountability, and community with each other. Through it, believers invest time, energy, and resources to fulfill the Great Commission — reaching lost people and guiding them to be fully devoted followers of Christ. |