Statement of Faith

The Bible
I believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. It is without error in its original form and carries the final authority for all matters of faith and practice (2 Tim 3:16–17; Matt 5:18). Though human authors penned the words, the Holy Spirit superintended the process so that every word written was exactly what He intended (2 Pet 1:21).

God
There is only one true God (Deut 6:4), who created all things (Col 1:16). He has made Himself known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Cor 13:14). He is eternal (Ps 90:2), sovereign (Ps 93:1), and holy (Isa 6:3). His nature does not change (Mal 3:6). He acts in righteousness and justice (Deut 32:4), and He displays mercy, grace, and goodness according to His will (Rom 8:28; Eph 2:8; 1 Pet 1:3).

Jesus Christ
I believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (John 1:1,14). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matt 1:23). He lived without sin (1 John 3:5) and fulfilled every part of the Father's will. He offered Himself as a substitute for sinners, bearing our sins in His body on the cross (Isa 53:5–6; 1 Pet 2:24). His death satisfied the justice of God and makes salvation possible for all who believe (John 1:12; Acts 16:31). He rose bodily from the grave on the third day (Matt 28:6), ascended into heaven, and now intercedes for the redeemed (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25).

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not a force but a divine person (Acts 5:3–4). He regenerates the sinner (Titus 3:5), indwells the believer (Rom 8:9), and secures our redemption (Eph 1:13–14). He enlightens the heart and mind to understand God’s Word (1 Cor 2:9–12). He grants spiritual gifts as He chooses (1 Cor 12:11). Though He is able to do all He pleases, I believe the miraculous gifts that were foundational to the early church do not operate today in the same way (2Cor 12:12; Eph 2:20).

Humanity
Humanity was created by God in His image (Gen 1:26–27). Through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the world, and with it came spiritual death (Rom 3:23). Every person is born with a sinful nature and is unable to make themselves right with God (Eph 2:1–5). Only God can bring a sinner to life.

Salvation
Salvation is a work of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8–9). It is not earned by good works. Christ bore the full punishment for sin in our place (Rom 5:8). His resurrection confirmed that His sacrifice was accepted and that sin was defeated (Rom 14:9). Those who trust in Christ are justified and secure forever, not by their efforts, but by His finished work (John 10:28–29; Eph 1:13–14). Good works follow salvation and serve as evidence of genuine faith (James 2:14–26; Gal 5:22–23).

The Church
The Church is the body of Christ, made up of all true believers in this present age (1 Cor 12:12–14). It gathers for worship, teaching, fellowship, and encouragement. Christ commanded believers to baptize disciples and to observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of His sacrifice (Matt 28:19–20; 1 Cor 11:23–26). The Church has been called to proclaim the gospel to the world, making disciples and teaching them to follow the Lord (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:19–20).