Bible
We believe that the Bible is divinely inspired by God and is the final authority for all faith and works. Though holy men were used to pen its parts, it is true, infallible, indestructible, and alive in every word. We hold to a normal, literal, grammatical, and historical method of interpreting Scripture. (2 Tim 3:16; Psalm 119:160; 1 Pet 1:25; Mat 19:4)
Trinity
We believe Scriptures teach that there is one God, consisting of three persons, yet in one being without division of nature: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three persons are fully God. All three were instrumental in Creation of the universe in six literal days, and all three fulfilled their unique roles in redemptive history. We believe that God is holy, yet immanent; just, yet merciful; eternal, yet knowable. (2 Cor 13:14; Deut 6:4; Mat 1:23; Phil 4:10)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin, sinlessly perfect in life, and the sole savior of the world. In his incarnation, Jesus was fully God while fully man. Being the perfect lamb of God, we affirm that his bodily death and resurrection provide the only means of salvation for mankind. Jesus has ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, interceding now for his bride until the end of this world. (John 1:1,14; Phil 2:6; Gal 4:4; Heb 7:25)
Man and Sin
We believe that man was created sinless, in the image of God. God made man male and female. But in Adam, all fell into sin so that all men are born with a sin nature, completely unable to save themselves and given to willful and continual sin. This sin must be judged by a holy God. Therefore, man and God are separate in life and eternal death in the lake of fire. (Gen 1:27, 3:6; Rom 5:12; Eph 2:1-3; 2 Cor 4:4; Rom 6:23)
Salvation
We believe that God has provided full and free salvation through his Son for all who will repent and believe. Salvation is entirely of grace and cannot be earned. Once the righteousness of Christ is imputed to a sinner, that one can never fall away from grace. We affirm that salvation begins with God’s election, initiates with regeneration and justification, continues through sanctification, and ends in final glorification. (Gen 15:6; Eph 2:8, 2 Cor 5:21; John 10:28; Rom 8:30)
Church
We believe the church consists of God’s redeemed people—those who have followed him by faith. The local church is led by ordained and qualified pastors and served by elected and qualified deacons. No hierarchy or external church governance is necessary. We believe that Christ has purchased gifts for his church which the Holy Spirit distributes to the saints individually. In the early days of the church, some were given miraculous gifts by the Spirit, but today we see only serving and teaching gifts. All gifts are for the building up of the church. (Tit 1-2; Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:1-13)
Ordinances
We believe Christ left his followers two ordinances that are to be exercised in the context of the local church. The first is baptism by immersion, followed by the believer’s open profession of faith. The second is the regular observance of the Lord’s supper by believers in a local church. (Mat 28:19,20; 1 Cor 11:24-26)
End Times
We believe that Jesus will physically return to this earth to destroy his enemies, to gather his church from every nation, tribe and tongue, to resurrect the dead for judgment, and usher in a new heavens and new earth where his saints will joyfully rule for eternity, worshiping Christ as our King forever. Those without Christ will be eternally condemned. (Acts 1:11; Thes 4:16-17; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 7:9, 21:1)
*We ascribe to the New Hampshire Confession, 1833, as well as the Second London Baptist Confession, 1689
