(Copies of our Mission Statement, Membership Covenant, Statement of Faith, Constitution, and Approved Policies are available in the church foyer. The Statement of Faith is found below.)
Our Identity: Independent, Reformed, Evangelical
We are INDEPENDENT in that we believe in the autonomy of the local church, under the authority of Scripture and the Headship of Christ. We are governed by a plurality of elders and deacons elected by the members of our church. We are members of The Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (FIRE), a unifying network for independent, reformed, baptistic churches to experience mutual edification, fellowship, cooperation and prayerful support in ministries and missions. We also strive to work together with other local and regional churches for the sake of the gospel.
We are REFORMED in that we affirm the five “solas” of the Reformation (the authority of Scripture alone; salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; all things to the glory of God alone). We are in substantial agreement with the historic reformed confessions of the Christian faith, such as The London Baptist Confession of 1689 and the Westminster Confession of Faith. We rejoice in the sovereign grace of God in the salvation of sinners.
We are EVANGELICAL in that we believe the mission of the church is to bring the gospel to every tongue, tribe and nation. We believe that this mission begins in our own community and extends to the ends of the earth. We gather in our worship services for edification and scatter throughout the week to evangelize, striving to follow the call
of our Lord to be in the world but not of it.
_________________________
Our Statement of Faith
THE WORD OF GOD
We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the complete and revealed Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original writings. We believe that it is wholly sufficient as Divine revelation, and it alone has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Psalm12:6; 19:7-11; Isaiah 40:8; Matt. 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Heb. 1:1-3).
THE TRINITY
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These Three, being one in essence, are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existing, and perform distinct but harmonious functions in creation, redemption, and providence (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 13:14).
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, justice, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He is unchangeable in His being, all glorious in His nature, and absolutely sovereign over creation, providence, and redemption. (Deut. 6:4; John 4:23-24; Isa. 6:1-6; Psalm 115:3; 145:5; 1 John 4:16).
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (John 1:1-14; Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 1:1-10; 4:14).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to apply the benefits of Christ’s work to the elect in regeneration and sanctification. We believe that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation. The Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts, helps, teaches and guides every believer (John 3:3-7; 16:8-14; 1 Cor. 3:16; 12:13; Rom. 8:9, 26; Eph. 5:18).
SALVATION
We believe that all men are sinners in Adam, by nature and by choice, and are therefore dead in sin and under condemnation. We believe that God in His free and sovereign grace saves sinners as He wills. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. True believers will persevere in faith and good works unto the end. This good news of salvation is freely offered to all and requires repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, which is enabled by the Holy Spirit, making those who are ordained to eternal life willing and able to believe (Acts 13:48; Rom. 3:10-18, 23; 6:23; Jonah 2:9; Eph. 2:1-10; Titus 3:5; Phil. 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 22:17).
LOVE & OBEDIENCE
We believe love for God and obedience to his Word are the fruit of a heart that has been transformed by the redemptive work of Christ and the purifying work of the Holy Spirit. While true believers sin and struggle against fleshly desires in this world, a life of ongoing and unrepentant disobedience to God and participation in sin may reveal a heart that is still untouched by the gospel and lost in unbelief (Jer. 31:33; Psalm 51:17; 119:97; Matt. 7:20; 22:37-40; Luke 8:15; John 14:15; Rom. 7:14-25; Gal. 5:22-24; James 2:17).
THE CHURCH
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head, composed of people who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the local church, whose membership consists of a company of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, associated for worship, Bible study, prayer, the ordinances, fellowship, and the evangelism of a lost world. We believe in the autonomy and independence of the local church, although voluntary cooperation with other churches, associations, or organizations may prove beneficial (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:1-16; 1 Cor. 16:1).
THE ORDINANCES
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the church to be observed until the return of Christ: baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. By baptism a believer publicly declares his forgiveness of sin, union with Christ, and new life in Christ. In the Lord’s Supper, the believer is dramatically reminded of the sacrifice of Christ for our sin. The Lord’s Supper is communion with God in Christ, as the believer spiritually feeds on Christ by faith, and communion with the body of Christ. We believe that these two ordinances are not means for salvation, but are visible signs of an invisible faith (Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-29; 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-26).
MARRIAGE
We believe that marriage is always to be between one man and one woman only. Homosexual unions and same-sex marriages, even if sanctioned by the civil authorities, are aberrations of God’s law and thus ungodly and not permissible; neither is it biblical, godly or permissible for a man to have more than one wife at the same time or a woman to have more than one husband at the same time, nor for a couple to live together as husband and wife outside of the covenant of marriage (Gen. 1:28, 2:18; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10; Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:13-15; Matt. 19:4-6; Heb. 13:4).
LAST THINGS
We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to earth. His coming will be visible, for the consummation of His eternal Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the endless suffering of the wicked, and the eternal blessedness of the believer (Matt. 24:1-51; 25:41; John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15).
CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS
We adhere to the ecumenical creeds of the historic Christian Church: the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We are also in substantial agreement with the reformed confessions of the Christian faith, such as The London Baptist Confession of 1689 and the Westminster Confession of Faith. We recognize that only the Bible is infallible; however, these historic creeds and confessions provide a clear basis for our doctrinal standard and unity.
Our Identity: Independent, Reformed, Evangelical
We are INDEPENDENT in that we believe in the autonomy of the local church, under the authority of Scripture and the Headship of Christ. We are governed by a plurality of elders and deacons elected by the members of our church. We are members of The Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (FIRE), a unifying network for independent, reformed, baptistic churches to experience mutual edification, fellowship, cooperation and prayerful support in ministries and missions. We also strive to work together with other local and regional churches for the sake of the gospel.
We are REFORMED in that we affirm the five “solas” of the Reformation (the authority of Scripture alone; salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; all things to the glory of God alone). We are in substantial agreement with the historic reformed confessions of the Christian faith, such as The London Baptist Confession of 1689 and the Westminster Confession of Faith. We rejoice in the sovereign grace of God in the salvation of sinners.
We are EVANGELICAL in that we believe the mission of the church is to bring the gospel to every tongue, tribe and nation. We believe that this mission begins in our own community and extends to the ends of the earth. We gather in our worship services for edification and scatter throughout the week to evangelize, striving to follow the call
of our Lord to be in the world but not of it.
_________________________
Our Statement of Faith
THE WORD OF GOD
We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the complete and revealed Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original writings. We believe that it is wholly sufficient as Divine revelation, and it alone has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Psalm12:6; 19:7-11; Isaiah 40:8; Matt. 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Heb. 1:1-3).
THE TRINITY
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These Three, being one in essence, are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existing, and perform distinct but harmonious functions in creation, redemption, and providence (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 13:14).
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, justice, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He is unchangeable in His being, all glorious in His nature, and absolutely sovereign over creation, providence, and redemption. (Deut. 6:4; John 4:23-24; Isa. 6:1-6; Psalm 115:3; 145:5; 1 John 4:16).
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (John 1:1-14; Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 1:1-10; 4:14).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to apply the benefits of Christ’s work to the elect in regeneration and sanctification. We believe that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation. The Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts, helps, teaches and guides every believer (John 3:3-7; 16:8-14; 1 Cor. 3:16; 12:13; Rom. 8:9, 26; Eph. 5:18).
SALVATION
We believe that all men are sinners in Adam, by nature and by choice, and are therefore dead in sin and under condemnation. We believe that God in His free and sovereign grace saves sinners as He wills. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. True believers will persevere in faith and good works unto the end. This good news of salvation is freely offered to all and requires repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, which is enabled by the Holy Spirit, making those who are ordained to eternal life willing and able to believe (Acts 13:48; Rom. 3:10-18, 23; 6:23; Jonah 2:9; Eph. 2:1-10; Titus 3:5; Phil. 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 22:17).
LOVE & OBEDIENCE
We believe love for God and obedience to his Word are the fruit of a heart that has been transformed by the redemptive work of Christ and the purifying work of the Holy Spirit. While true believers sin and struggle against fleshly desires in this world, a life of ongoing and unrepentant disobedience to God and participation in sin may reveal a heart that is still untouched by the gospel and lost in unbelief (Jer. 31:33; Psalm 51:17; 119:97; Matt. 7:20; 22:37-40; Luke 8:15; John 14:15; Rom. 7:14-25; Gal. 5:22-24; James 2:17).
THE CHURCH
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head, composed of people who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the local church, whose membership consists of a company of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, associated for worship, Bible study, prayer, the ordinances, fellowship, and the evangelism of a lost world. We believe in the autonomy and independence of the local church, although voluntary cooperation with other churches, associations, or organizations may prove beneficial (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:1-16; 1 Cor. 16:1).
THE ORDINANCES
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the church to be observed until the return of Christ: baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. By baptism a believer publicly declares his forgiveness of sin, union with Christ, and new life in Christ. In the Lord’s Supper, the believer is dramatically reminded of the sacrifice of Christ for our sin. The Lord’s Supper is communion with God in Christ, as the believer spiritually feeds on Christ by faith, and communion with the body of Christ. We believe that these two ordinances are not means for salvation, but are visible signs of an invisible faith (Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-29; 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-26).
MARRIAGE
We believe that marriage is always to be between one man and one woman only. Homosexual unions and same-sex marriages, even if sanctioned by the civil authorities, are aberrations of God’s law and thus ungodly and not permissible; neither is it biblical, godly or permissible for a man to have more than one wife at the same time or a woman to have more than one husband at the same time, nor for a couple to live together as husband and wife outside of the covenant of marriage (Gen. 1:28, 2:18; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10; Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:13-15; Matt. 19:4-6; Heb. 13:4).
LAST THINGS
We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to earth. His coming will be visible, for the consummation of His eternal Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the endless suffering of the wicked, and the eternal blessedness of the believer (Matt. 24:1-51; 25:41; John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15).
CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS
We adhere to the ecumenical creeds of the historic Christian Church: the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We are also in substantial agreement with the reformed confessions of the Christian faith, such as The London Baptist Confession of 1689 and the Westminster Confession of Faith. We recognize that only the Bible is infallible; however, these historic creeds and confessions provide a clear basis for our doctrinal standard and unity.
