The following is our shorter Congregational Affirmation of Faith. See our longer Elder Affirmation of Faith for further detail on the doctrine our pastors and elders affirm and teach.
The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to humankind. All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy, a perfect treasure of divine instruction, without any mixture of error. The Holy Bible is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture testifies to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an all powerful, all knowing, intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. He is infinite in holiness. The eternal triune God has revealed himself truly as existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of God possesses distinct personal attributes, but without division of the nature, essence, or being of God.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus took human nature upon Himself and honored the divine law by His personal obedience without sin. In His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of humanity from sin. He was raised bodily from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God. He is the One Mediator in whom there is reconciliation between God and his people. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. He enables God’s people to understand truth. He convicts people of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God in His church. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Humankind
People are the special creation of God, made in God’s image. God created them male and female. In the beginning people were created innocent of sin, but they freely chose to sin against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan humankind transgressed the command of God, and fell from their original innocence. All humankind therefore inherits a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Only the grace of God can bring a person into His holy fellowship and enable that person to fulfill the creative purpose of God.
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person, and is given freely to all who come to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Christ obtained eternal redemption for the believer through his life, death, and resurrection. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the present age to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all people in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever with the Lord.