Church Beliefs
- Of the Scriptures
- Of the True God
- Of the Fall of Man
- Of the Way of Salvation
- Of Justification
- Of the Freeness of Salvation
- Of Grace in Regeneration
- Of Repentance and Faith
- Of Sanctification
We believe that the Bible, whose author is God,1 was written by divinely inspired men2 and is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, opinions, and doctrine should be measured.3 The Bible is without error4 and is therefore the only reliable authority through which God’s revelation of truth, salvation, and judgment may be learned.5
1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 1:16; 3:21
2. 1 Peter 1:10-12; Acts 3:21
3. John 17:17; Acts 17:11; Prov. 30:5-6; Hebrews 4:12
4. John 12:47-50
5. Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, who exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,6 each of whom is equal in every divine perfection7 and executes a distinct and harmonious office in all the works of God.8 God is an infinite, intelligent, personal Spirit who both created and presently rules and sustains all things in heaven and earth.9 He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness,10 and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love.11
6. Matt. 28:19; John 14:26; 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; Matt. 3:16-17
7. John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Phil. 2:5-6
8. Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5 (comp. 2, 7)
9. Heb. 3:4; Rev. 4:9-11; Isa. 44:24; Jer. 10:12
10. Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:6-8
11. Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37
We believe that man was created by God in holiness,12 but by voluntary transgression man fell from that holy and happy state.13 Therefore, all mankind are now sinners,14 not by constraint but by choice.15 Since man is by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, he is naturally inclined toward evil, and therefore under God’s just condemnation to eternal ruin,16 without defense or excuse.17
12. Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 2:16
13. Gen. 3:1-24; Rom. 5:12
14. Rom. 5:12, 15, 18-19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5
15. Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18
16. Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10
17. Rom. 1:20; 2:1; 3:19
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace, through faith,18 through the mediatorial office of the Son of God.19 Jesus Christ, who was appointed and sent by the Father, freely took on our human nature, yet without sin.20 He honored the divine Law by his perfect submission and obedience,21 and by his crucifixion and death He made a full atonement for our sins.22 And having risen from the dead, He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven,23 where He is making intercession for us until His return.
18. Eph. 2:5, 8-9; Rom. 3:24; 2 Tim. 1:9; Acts 15:11
19. John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
20. 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22
21. Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:8
22. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; 1 John 4:10; Heb. 9:13-15
23. Col. 3:1; Rom. 8:26-27, 34; Heb. 1:3; 8:1
We believe that justification is the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in Him.24Justification includes the pardon of sin25 and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness.26 It is not bestowed in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in our great Redeemer’s blood.27 In this way His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God,28 which brings us into a state of blessed peace and favor with God, securing to us every other blessing needful for time and eternity.29
24. Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:22-24; 5:1, 9
25. Acts 10:43; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15; Matt. 9:6
26. Rom. 3:25-26; 5:21; 6:22-23; Titus 3:5-7
27. Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5; Phil. 3:7-9; Titus 3:5-7
28. Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:22-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21
29. Rom. 5:1-2, 11; 8:31-32; Eph. 1:3
6. Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel.30 Therefore, it is the immediate duty of all to accept them with a sincere, obedient faith.31 Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his or her own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel.32
30. Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:16-24; John 7:37
31. Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 1:15-17; 16:26
32. Matt. 23:37; John 3:19; 5:39-40; Rom. 9:32; Acts 13:46
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again, by the power of the Holy Spirit.33 This happens in a manner beyond our comprehension,34 giving a holy disposition to the mind35 and securing our voluntary obedience to the gospel.36 The evidence of regeneration appears in the fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.37
33. John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:23
34. John 1:13; 3:8; James 1:18; 1 Cor. 1:30
35. Rom. 8:5; 12:2; 1 Cor. 2:16; Eph 4:23-24; Phil. 2:5-7
36. Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:26; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-10
37. Gal. 5:16-23; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:1, 4, 18
We believe that repentance and faith are not only sacred duties, but also inseparable graces, wrought into our souls by the Spirit of God through regeneration.38 Being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation through Christ,39 we turn to God with sincere confession, repentance, and supplication for mercy.40 At the same time we gladly receive and place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone as our all-sufficient Savior, Prophet, Priest, and King.41
38. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1, 4
39. John 16:8-11; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31
40. Luke 15:17-21; 18:13; James 4:8-10; 2 Cor. 7:10-11
41. Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 4:14; 1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:12
We believe that sanctification is the lifelong process42 by which we are made partakers of God’s holiness, according to His will.43 Sanctification begins in regeneration44 and is carried on in the hearts of believers through submission, obedience, and cooperation with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.45
42. Phil. 3:12-16; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8
43. 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; Eph. 1:4; 2 Cor. 7:1; Hebrews 12:10, 14
44. 1 John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Rom. 6:1-4; 8:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:30
45. Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:16-17; Phil. 2:12-13