21 Statements of Faith

1. Love

We believe that love for one another, as Jesus loves the believer, expresses our discipleship, proves our love for God, and symbolizes our authority as New Testament churches. Love is the great commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ on which all others depend.

Scripture: Matthew 22:35–40; John 13:34–35; John 15:12; 1 John 4:7–21; 1 John 5:1–3; Revelation 2:4–5

2. The Holy Scriptures

We believe in the inspiration of the whole Bible and that the Bible is the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.

Scripture: Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16–17

3. The Triune God

We believe in one personal triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in divine perfection.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

4. Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of Creation.

Scripture: Genesis 1–2

5. Satan

We believe that Satan is a fallen angel, the archenemy of God and man, the unholy god of this world, and that his destiny is the eternal lake of fire.

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Matthew 25:41; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:10–17; Revelation 20:10

6. Jesus Christ: Virgin Birth and Sinless Humanity

We believe in the virgin birth and sinless humanity of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 1:18–20; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22

7. The Deity of Christ

We believe in the full deity of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: John 1:1,14; John 10:30; 2 Corinthians 5:19

8. The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is the divine Advocate, Comforter, and Administrator of Christ’s work in His churches.

Scripture: Luke 24:49; John 14:16–17; Acts 1:4–5,8; Acts 2:1–4

9. Ministry Gifts

We believe the gifts of Prophet, Apostle, Evangelist, Teacher, and Pastor are given by Jesus Christ to His Church for the equipping of the saints and the building up of the body of Christ.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–13

10. Humanity and Sin

We believe men and women are created equally in the image of God and lived in innocence until they fell by voluntary transgression, resulting in all humanity becoming sinners.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:6–24; Romans 5:12,19

11. The Atonement

We believe the suffering and death of Jesus Christ was substitutionary for all mankind and is efficacious only to those who believe.

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2

12. Resurrection

We believe in the bodily resurrection and ascension of Christ and the bodily resurrection of His saints.

Scripture: Matthew 28:1–7; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Corinthians 15:42–58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

13. Salvation

We believe that a sinner is saved wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, seals, secures, and indwells every believer.

Scripture: Luke 13:3–5; John 3:16–18; Acts 20:21; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:6; John 16:8–9; Romans 8:9–11; Ephesians 4:30; Titus 3:5

14. Eternal Security

We believe all who trust Jesus Christ for salvation are eternally secure in Him.

Scripture: John 3:36; John 5:24; John 10:27–30; Romans 8:35–39; Hebrews 10:39; 1 Peter 1:5

15. Christian Living

We believe God deals with believers as His children, chastises the disobedient, and rewards the obedient.

Scripture: Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:14–23; John 1:12; Hebrews 12:5–11; Revelation 22:12

16. The Church

We believe Jesus Christ established His church during His earthly ministry. We believe the church is a local, visible assembly of scripturally baptized believers in covenant relationship to carry out the Great Commission. Each church is self-governing under Christ while participating in the mutual accountability and fellowship of the wider body of Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19–20; Ephesians 3:21

17. Ordinances

We believe there are two sacred ordinances in the Lord’s churches: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Scriptural baptism is the immersion of penitent believers in water, administered by the authority of a New Testament church in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial ordinance observed in remembrance of Christ’s death until He comes. While we recognize only these two ordinances, we also honor the washing of the saints’ feet as a valued biblical practice of humility, service, and mutual love among believers.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 8:12,38; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

18. Associations and Fellowship

We believe all associations, fellowships, committees, and ministry organizations should exist as servants of and accountable to the churches, operating in cooperation with the wider body of Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 20:25–28

19. Religious Liberty and Civil Obedience

We believe in freedom of worship without interference from government and affirm civil obedience unless the laws of government run contrary to Holy Scripture.

Scripture: Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–15

20. Marriage

We believe the Bible defines marriage as the covenant union between one man and one woman.

Scripture: Genesis 2:21–24; Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9; Ephesians 5:22–31

21. Human Life and Gender

We believe God created humanity male and female, that life begins at conception, and that all human life bears dignity before God. We hold these convictions while affirming that all people are entitled to God’s love, mercy, and the respect due every person made in His image.

Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6; Romans 14:1–4; 1 Corinthians 16:14