We Humbly Affirm:
Apostle’s Creed
Nicene Creed
Athanasian Creed
Chalcedonian Definition
Essential Beliefs:
Doctrine that is intrinsic to the Gospel. For one to believe this is to make it possible for others to affirm them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
What are the Scriptures?
God has spoken in the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16), both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors (2 Pet.1:21). As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. (Matt. 24:35; Mk. 12:35; Jn.10:35; 2 Pet. 3:15-16) Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
Who is the Son?
Jesus is the redeemer of man, bringing those who believe back into a right relationship with God as predicted at the fall of man (Gen. 3:15). Jesus is fully man (Heb. 2:14) and fully God (Jn. 1:18; Lk. 3:22), born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23), lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15), died on the cross as the perfect substitutionary sacrifice for man's sin (Matt. 6:12), rose from the dead (Lk. 24:6), ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9), and is coming again in glory (1Co. 15).
Who is God?
There is only one true God, existing as three persons but of one substance acting in accordance with one divine will since before the foundation of the world (Deut. 6:4; 1 Tim. 2:5; John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10). Each person of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has a distinct relationship and role being equal in authority with each other (John 1:18; 3:16; 14:26; 16:7; 1 Cor. 8:6; John 5:21-23; Matt. 12:31). The Triune God is all powerful, all knowing, all present, unchanging, and sovereign over all creation.
Who is the Father?
God the Father is the loving Creator of mankind, for His glory. He sent Jesus as the savior so man can know God (Gen. 1:26; Jer. 31:3;; 1Jn. 4:14). The Father is the one who has chosen a people to give to His Son since before the foundation of the world (Jn. 17; Rm. 8:29-30).
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the one whom the Father and Son sent as a helper that indwells all believers, teaching and leading them into a life filled with joyful obedience to God (Jn. 14:16,26, 16:13). The Spirit convicts believers of their sin (Jn. 16:8), intercedes for them (Rom. 8:26), and regenerates (Tit. 3:5) so that they will respond in faith and repentance, believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit aids believers to better understand God's Word (Jn. 14:26) and provides believers with specific gifts to serve God (1 Cor. 12:11) and serve the church (Eph. 4:11-13).
How was man made?
Man was made by God in His image (Gen. 1:26-2:25) for the purpose of having communion with God, managing creation, and glorifying their maker. God created man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. At death, man’s spirit returns to God and his body returns back to the earth (Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7).
What is the problem with man?
Man has inherited a sin nature from his first father Adam, causing man to be in a constant state of sin and separated from God, unable to believe in Him apart from Christ’s sacrifice, the Spirit’s renewal of the fallen heart, and the Father’s choosing (Gen. 2:17, 3:6-7; Ja. 4:4).
How can someone be saved?
Saving faith comes from confessing Christ as the fully divine and fully human atoning sacrifice for man’s sin. One must believe in Christ’s deity, humanity, sinlessness, resurrection, and satisfaction of God’s wrath on behalf of man (Mt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9). This confession of faith in Christ only comes from one who has been called by the Father, regenerated by the Spirit, and bought by the Son; resulting in faith, repentance, and sanctification.
Calling and Election is the choice of God the Father prior to the foundation of the world to set aside a people for Himself and to give to His Son. As found in Romans 8:30, “And those whom he predestined he also called.” God works all things according to His own will, including those He has chosen for His purposes (Rom. 8:28).
Faith is one part of man’s two-part response to God’s call and acceptance of His grace, which is referred to as conversion. Faith is the gift of God, and it is through this gift of faith provided by God alone that man is saved (Eph. 2:8). Faith is the instrument of salvation by which man is able to receive God’s grace.
Repentance is the second part to the two-part response of man to God’s call and acceptance of His grace. It is through faith alone that man is saved, but repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Repentance is sincere sorrow for sin, a turning away from sin, and seeking to walk in the ways of the Lord. Repentance is turning away from sin and forsaking it.
Regeneration is the act of the Spirit in creating a new heart in an individual who has been called by the Father. We are spiritually dead prior to Regeneration (Eph. 2:1-3) but are born again by the Spirit (Jn. 3:7). Through this renewal God writes His law on man’s heart so that his nature changes resulting in faith and repentance of man (Deut. 6:6; Jer. 31:33; Col. 3:10).
Justification is a legal term that speaks to the legal standing of one who is saved by God. Justification is the declaration of our righteous standing before God. One is declared justified even though he was guilty of the crime (Rom. 3:28).
Adoption is the action and standing of one entering into God’s family through Christ’s work: one is adopted with Jesus as their brother and the Father as their father (Jn. 1:12). Man becomes “fellow heirs” with Christ as He becomes not only our Savior but brother (Gal. 4:28). This marks a transition as man moves into the Kingdom of God out from under the clutches of Satan as children of wrath (Eph. 2:2).
Sanctification is the process of one who is saved being increasingly set apart and made holy by the work of God. The process of sanctification is God’s work in us: “may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely” (1Thes. 5:23). As faith and repentance are the response of the regenerate at conversion, sanctification is the continual response of the saved in faith and repentance as they forsake sin and enjoy God forever.