WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Bible was written by people who were divinely inspired, and that it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. God is its author, salvation is its purpose, and truth, without any mixture of error, is its content. Scripture reveals the principles by which God will judge us. Therefore, it is now, and will be to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard for evaluating all human conduct, creeds, and opinions.
THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God—an infinite, intelligent Spirit. His name is the LORD, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and is worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection, and they carry out distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
HUMANITY AND THE FALL
We believe humanity is the special creation of God, made in His own image. God created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. By voluntary transgression, however, humanity fell from that holy and happy state. As a result, all people are now sinners, not by external compulsion but by choice. They by nature entirely lack the holiness that is required by the law of God and are actively inclined toward evil. Therefore, they are under just condemnation to a sentence of eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe the salvation of God’s people is completely by grace, through the mediation of Jesus. By the appointment of the Father, he freely took to himself our nature but without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience and made a full atonement for our sins by His substitutionary death, satisfying God’s wrath. He rose from the dead and is now enthroned in heaven.
BAPTISM AND THE LORDS SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is the initiatory rite of the Christian Church. Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.
We likewise believe that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby followers of Christ, following earnest self-examination, use bread and the cup in a sacred manner to commemorate together the dying love of Christ alongside the spiritual presence of the risen Christ.
A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, joined together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. A visible church observes the sacraments (ordinances) of Christ, submits to His laws, and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word. Furthermore, we believe that Jesus Christ is especially present with the church when she gathers.