Statement of Faith
GOD AND THE TRINITY
We believe in the one true and living God, in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is invisible, personal, omnipresent, eternal, dependent on none, unchanging, truthful, trustworthy, almighty, sovereign, omniscient, righteous, holy, good, loving, merciful, long-suffering and gracious.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
We believe that Almighty God has revealed all that is necessary to life and salvation in the sixty-six books of Holy Scripture, which are the Word of God. All Scripture was given by inspiration of God, is infallible and inerrant, and is the final arbiter in all disputes. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1: 19-21; Matthew 5:18; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12
ELECTION
We believe that God, before the foundation of the world, for His own glory did elect a great multitude of men and women to eternal life as an act of free and sovereign grace. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works or merit.
Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2 and John 6:37; 15:16, 17:9; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:11-18, 11:5; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4
ADAM OUR REPRESENTATIVE
We believe that God made our first father Adam perfect, holy and upright. He was appointed representative and head of the human race, thereby exposing all his offspring to the effects of his obedience or disobedience to God’s commands.
Genesis 2:7, 15-25; Romans 5:12-21
THE FALL AND ITS EFFECTS
We believe that Adam fell from his original righteousness into sin and brought upon himself and all his offspring death, condemnation and a sinful nature.
Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 1:8
MAN’S INABILITY
We believe it is utterly beyond the power of fallen man to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin or to trust in Christ.
Romans 3:10-18; 8:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; and John 3:1-8; 6:44, 65
CHRIST OUR REPRESENTATIVE
We believe that God sent His Son into the world, conceived of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, unchangeably sinless, both God and man, born under the law, to live a perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His elect people.
John 3:16; Luke 1:30-35; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; Colossians 2:19; 1 Corinthians 1:30
PARTICULAR REDEMPTION
We believe that God’s Son died at Calvary to effect propitiation, reconciliation, redemption and atonement for His elect people. God bore testimony to His acceptance of His Son’s work by raising Him bodily from the dead.
Isaiah 53:11-12; Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:6,9,19; Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST
We believe that God’s Son ascended to the right hand of His Father and is enthroned in glory, where He intercedes on behalf of His people and rules over all things for their sake.
Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
We believe that God the Son has poured out the Holy Spirit to work alongside the preached Word. The Spirit of God regenerates elect sinners and draws them irresistibly to faith in Christ the Savior.
Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 26-31; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-6; 1 Peter 2:9; and Galatians 1:15-16 (the word “call” in the epistles is an effectual call)
JUSTIFICATION
We believe the elect, who are called by grace, are justified in the sight of God on account of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is received by faith alone.
Romans 8:33: 3:26; Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21
PERSEVERANCE
We believe that all who are regenerated, called and justified shall persevere in holiness and never finally fall away.
John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24
EVANGELISM
We believe it is the calling of every local church to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded us.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2:42; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
THE CHURCH
We believe that the local church is under the authority of Christ alone. Nevertheless, He has appointed men to be elders (undershepherds) to represent Him as they care for His body. Deacons also serve Christ as His ministers of mercy. Furthermore, the communion of saints requires the recognition of and fellowship with other local evangelical churches.
1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5
CHURCH ORDINANCES
We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are gospel ordinances belonging only to regenerated believers.
Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-39; 1 Corinthians 11:28-32
ESCHATOLOGY
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous, and that the righteous shall enjoy everlasting life and the wicked endure everlasting punishment.
Matthew 25:41-46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15
Adopted from the Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals Statement of Faith