STATEMENT OF FAITH
God
We believe the Bible teaches that God is one perfect being who exists eternally in three distinct yet coequal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these three persons within the one true and living God is divine and deserving of our honor and worship. The Bible also reveals God's loving and holy character, demonstrating mercy in redeeming sinful humanity and opposing all forms of evil with righteousness. This shows both his love for humanity and his uncompromising stance against sin. (Exo. 34:6-7; Deut. 6:4-7; Matt. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14)
Creation
We believe that God created everything for his glory and pleasure. He brought all things into being through his divine Word, both physical and spiritual, out of nothing. God made us, male and female, in his image. He intended us to know and love him and steward his wonderful creation. The three persons of the Trinity are closely involved in maintaining what has been created. The Father sustains everything through his living Word and gives life to all living beings by the power of his Spirit. (Gen. 1:1-2:7; Ps. 8:5-8; Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17)
Sin
We believe that originally, humankind was created to have a close and loving relationship with God, free from fault. But our sinful actions have damaged this relationship, leading to spiritual darkness, moral decay, and the fear of divine judgment. We can't save ourselves or improve our lives because sin has affected our thoughts, taken control of our willpower, and trapped us in a cycle of spiritual decay. Without Christ, we are alienated from God, the natural world, and others. (Gen. 3:1-13; Ps. 14:1-3; Isa. 59:1-2; Gal. 5:19-21).
Salvation
We believe the gospel is the amazing news that God loves the world so much that he offers everyone the chance to be saved from the results of sin by believing in the sacrificial work of his Son, Jesus Christ. We understand we can't earn God's grace, and nothing in us deserves his mercy. Instead, God freely gives his grace; we can accept it by believing. When we repent and trust in Christ completely, we receive forgiveness for our sins, a new life with the Spirit, become part of God's family, and have eternal life. (Matt. 26:27-28; Jn. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 5:16-21; Gal. 4:1-7)
God the Father
We believe in God the Father's sovereignty. He has the power to do all that he desires. With his Son and the Holy Spirit, the Father has complete knowledge and limitless power and is present everywhere. When we call God our heavenly Father, we recognize that we were created to have a close and loving relationship with him. As his cherished children, we're meant to trust him completely to provide for and protect us and to put all our hope in him. (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 104; Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:17-21).
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only one who can restore humankind to God and the Savior of the world. Jesus was not conceived naturally but by the Holy Spirit's power in the Virgin Mary. This means that Jesus is fully human and divine, without sin. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the scriptures by sacrificing himself on the cross for our sins. Through this, he showed God's unlimited love and mercy for people, fulfilled God's justice, and defeated the power of sin, Satan, and death. After being crucified and buried, God brought him back to life in his resurrected body. Then, Jesus ascended into heaven and sat at the Father's right hand. As our heavenly high priest, he intercedes for all who come to him with sorrow for their sins and belief in him. (Ps. 2; Mal. 3:1; Matt. 1:18-20; Jn. 3:13-15; Acts 1:9-11; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Heb. 10:11-14)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is fully equal and has always existed with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit gives life to all living beings, shows God's truth to His followers, and invites sinners to embrace a new life of faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in all believers, showing that we belong to God and ensuring our salvation forever. In our lives, the Holy Spirit helps us to recognize when we do wrong, gives us spiritual gifts to help others, produces godly character that leads to greater virtue, and gives us the power to share the gospel and stand up for justice for all people. (Gen. 1:2; 1 Sam. 16:13; Matt. 3:16-17; Acts 4:5-31)
Scripture
We believe that the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God and is, therefore, trustworthy and without error. The Holy Spirit uniquely guided the prophets and apostles to record God's revealed will for humanity. Therefore, we see the Bible as the highest and utterly reliable authority for the church in all matters of faith and behavior. The Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to teach, warn, and prepare us to live lives pleasing to God and aligned with His divine purpose. (Deut. 8:3; Ps. 19:7-11; Matt.4:4; 2 Tim. 3:14-17)
The Church
We believe the church represents all Christians worldwide, brought together and shaped by Christ into a unified yet diverse community. The church is considered holy as it is a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, who shows his power and makes the people holy, dedicating them to God and calling them to lead lives of goodness, fairness, and mercy. The church not only comes together as a group to worship God through preaching the Word and observing the sacraments but also to support each other within the community and beyond and tell others about the gospel's message. (Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 12:4-5; Eph. 2:11-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-10)
The Last Things
We believe that Jesus Christ will come again in glory, visible to everyone, marking the end of this time. The current imperfect world system, which is full of decay, suffering, and death, will eventually be replaced by God's wonderful kingdom, creating a fully renewed creation that will last forever. Every person, whether alive or deceased, will face judgment by Jesus Christ. Those who have rejected salvation through Christ will face never-ending punishment, while those who have put their trust in Christ will have eternal life and live in the presence of God forever. (Dan. 7:13-14; Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 21:1-4)