From the very beginning of time, God’s truth has been under attack. In the Garden of Eden, the Serpent sought to instill doubt and thus disobedience into the human race by asking the question, “Did God actually say...?” (Gen 3:1). Ever since, the same spiritual forces, including the culture, have continued to ask the same question of God’s people.
We do not believe that Christian belief, character, or conduct can be dictated by any authority other than the Bible (Matt 4:4 2 Pet 1:3 2 Tim 3:16-17). We deny that the postmodern ideologies derived from cultural Marxism, social justice, intersectionality, radical feminism, and critical theory are consistent with biblical teaching. We believe that many (if not all) of these ideologies have infiltrated the body of professing Christians, and thus it is our duty to address them as believers who seek to remain biblically faithful (Jude 1:3).
As we strive to earnestly contend for the faith, we do so not in a spirit of contentiousness, but with the hope of unity and restoration - remembering as Paul admonished that, "the goal of our instruction is love" (1 Tim 1:5). Our earnest desire is to faithfully handle the word of God and the belief statements below represent our understanding of several key biblical doctrines (2 Tim 2:15).
The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments comprise the Bible and are the only inspired written Word of God (2 Tim 3:16). The Bible is the supreme and final authority in all matters to which it speaks and governs the pursuit of all truth not addressed directly within its pages (Psa 19:7-10 Psa 119:105). It is infallible and without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts(Psa 12:6 Pro 30:5 Mat 5:18 ), and has been accurately passed down through history (i.e. the doctrine of preservation). Through it we know God, and by submitting to it, we submit to God.
While God breathed, the Bible was written by men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:21). Thus, the meaning of scripture is bound within the intentions of God and of human authors, along with the cultural (1 Cor 11:4-5), creative (2 Tim 3:16 Psa 15:1-5 Psa 51:6 Psa 110:1-7 Psa 119:1-2), lingual (Rom 8:29 1 Cor 7:15 1 Cor 7:39 1 Cor 14:22 1 Tim 2:15), and historical (1 Pet 2:13 Jer 29:11) realities in which they lived. While the Bible may be applied differently in various circumstances, no passage of scripture will mean something today that was not originally intended (2 Pet 3:16) . Therefore, a proper study of scripture will include:
1. Prayer – The Spirit of God is present in both the divine and human authorship, and the Spirit illumines our eyes to truth, therefore all Bible study depends on communicating with God (John 14:26 John 16:13 1 Cor 2:14).
2. Context – All passages are defined within the context they were written. Thus, the surrounding verses, chapter, book, author, genre, and rest of the Bible are essential to the interpretation of any passage. The Bible is the only infallible standard to interpret itself. In trying to understand a difficult verse, there are often clearer passages addressing the same concept that must direct the interpretation of the more difficult verse.
3. Language – Word studies and rules of grammar are often useful in interpreting passages. While this is best done in the original languages, multiple English translations commonly identify significant issues by their differences.
4. Historical Background – The culture in which the Bible was written is foreign to us today so historical background often adds insight to the original meaning of a passage.
5. Revelation – There is a progressive nature to God’s revelation that finds its apex in the NT in Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2). While the Old Testament is fully inspired and forms the foundation for the New Testament, it also finds its fulfillment in Christ and the New Testament (Mat 5:17).
We believe that God, the sovereign all-knowing King of the universe, has an overall plan by which He orchestrates every cause and every effect according to His own purposes, for His own glory (Pro 19:21 Isa 46:9-11 Rom 11:36), and for the ultimate good of His people(Eph 1:4). God from all eternity (Eph 3:11) and by the completely wise and holy counsel of His own will, has freely and unchangeably ordained whatever happens (Job 42:2 Psa 115:3 Dan 4:25 Dan 4:34-35 Eph 1:11). This means that nothing happens by chance. God is present in all things (Est 4:14). He is not wondering nor fearing what is going to happen next – all things are ordered by God.
However, God’s governance does not mean that He is the author of sin (He is not) (Jam 1:13 1 John 1:5), that He condemns unjustly (He does not) (Rom 1:20 Rev 16:7), or that people are merely puppets (they are not). People have the freedom to do as they desire (free-will) and are responsible for their own free choices even though those choices are governed within the overall plan of God (Exo 14:4 Exo 9:16 Rom 9:17 Exo 8:15 Exo 9:17 2 Sam 24:1-4 2 Sam 24:10-15).
It is not that God simply allows some things to happen. Everything is ordained and governed by Him so that it fulfills His own holy purposes (Gen 50:20).
We believe that God created mankind, male and female in His own image and that this divinely determined difference is good and proper (Gen 1:27). The worth of all individuals is based on bearing the image of God and not on roles, occupations, race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, or socioeconomic status. We further believe that people should be treated without sinful partiality or prejudice (Jam 2:1).
We believe that maleness and femaleness are divinely determined and thus are not subject to change. We acknowledge that the curse of sin results in disordered affections that manifest in some people as same-sex attraction. This attraction, when acted upon, is considered sin (Rom 1:26-27). We further believe that, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christians have the power to mortify this sinful behavior (Rom 8:13).
We believe that God and God alone defines holiness and righteousness, and thus justice. As image bearers of God, mankind is required to live justly in the world and our refusal to do so is defined as sin (Rom 3:10 Rom 3:23). We further believe that true justice, Godly justice, cannot be defined by the culture because it is blind to the truths of God, and is under the influence of Satan (Mar 8:33 Eph 2:2). Thus, any worldly system of ethics or justice is only valid to the extent that it reflects God’s truth and system of justice. Therefore, while the world is fundamentally corrupt, not all ethical or moral systems are equally corrupt, but vary based on the extent to which they reflect God’s standards. Christians should not seek to emulate the morals or ethical systems of any worldly culture, but rather resolutely seek to embody biblical ethics and justice. God’s mission for the Church is not the reformation of culture, but the redemption of the lost. Therefore, all pursuits of societal change (including social justice) are always secondary to the mission of the Church.
We believe that obedience is a beautiful expression of worship and love to God (1 John 5:3-4), and that all true Christians will progressively live a life of obedience by nature of God’s transforming work in them (1 John 3:9). It is not possible for a person to have Christ as their Savior without having Him also as their Lord (Mat 7:21). Christians, by the grace of God, follow Jesus Christ’s & His apostles’ teaching (fully contained in the New Testament) in obedience, and live a life increasingly controlled by the Spirit of God (Rom 8:9).
In regards to disobedience, sin has consequences with a person’s relationship with God and may result in discipline within the church community. While all sin is an offense to God’s holiness (Mat 7:21 Jam 2:10), the following principles define some of it's consequences.
1. Reward & Loss in Heaven: In the Old Testament, God put in place temporal blessings for obedience and temporal curses for disobedience. In the New Testament, although not specifically addressing temporal blessings and curses, God does discuss the Law of the Harvest (what we sow, that we will also reap) (Gal 6:7-8) in regard to reward and loss in heaven for believers.
2. Assurance of Salvation: Though salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, the individual who participates in willful/deliberate sin, biblically has no assurance of their salvation (Heb 10:26-27).
3. Church Discipline: We are commanded not to judge unbelievers by Biblical standards. However, if a person, who claims to be a Christian, participates in willful unrepentant sinful behavior, we are commanded to enact church discipline with this person (1 Cor 5:9-11). This is done according to Biblical directives (Mat 18:15-17), and with the hope that the individual will be brought to repentance and restoration with the Lord and the body of believers.
As Christians, our life is in Christ and we recognize that apart from Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit we are dead and can do nothing (Rom 7:18 John 15:5). Therefore, our dependence on God goes far beyond prayer; it is the entirety of our lives. Whether we are preaching, ministering, working, serving, thinking, resting, playing, or engaged in any other aspect of life, our aim is to walk in the reality that we are crucified with Christ, therefore we no longer live, but Jesus Christ lives in us (Acts 17:28 Gal 2:20).
Salvation is an overarching term that includes the entire process of redemption: beginning with election, then justification, then sanctification, and ending with glorification. Several steps in this process may occur simultaneously, or over time. A list of terms and some general definitions are included:
1. Election: God’s choosing or electing of His people before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4).
2. Predestination: Having chosen us, He outlines the plan of our salvation (Eph 1:5).
3. Gospel Call: There is a general call of the gospel to all people (John 3:15-16). However, without God’s enabling, people universally reject this call (Rom 8:7-8).
4. Inward Call: God then opens eyes, hearts, and minds to an inward and irresistible call of the gospel (1 Cor 1:18).
5. Regeneration: Through the gospel, the sanctifying work of the Spirit washes and makes the sinner new from the inside out (Tit 3:3-6).
6. Conversion: The regenerate person responds to God with faith and repentance, both of which are products of the Spirit’s ministry inside (Rom 2:4 Eph 2:8-9).
7. Adoption and Justification: The person who responds to God in faith is adopted as a child of God and is legally declared righteous. In being declared righteous, the Christian is pardoned of their sins and credited with the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21).
8. Sanctification: Having been justified, transformation of the inner man occurs as the sinful desires are progressively superseded by an ever-increasing desire for Him and His glory (2 Cor 3:18).
9. Glorification: Having persevered to the end, the Christian is fully glorified (1 Cor 15:51-53).
Open Call of the Gospel to all people: First, we confidently say that God so loves the whole world that He sustains and showers all people with blessings (Mat 5:45), He displays His glory for all to see (Rom 1:20), and He offers a way of salvation for any who will believe (John 3:16). The fact that God offers an open call of the gospel to all people is a model for us to do the same. Additionally, He commands us to proclaim the gospel (Mat 28:19-20).
We do believe that while God loves all people, He does not love all people in the same way. He chooses some before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4-5). He sets His love on these in a unique way so that their salvation is sure (Rom 1:7). He draws them to Christ (John 6:44) and regenerates them (Eph 2:4-5), making them new from the inside; while others He leaves in the hardness of their sinful hearts (Mark 4:11-12).
We believe God has ordained three basic Authority Structures: Civil, Family, & Church. Because these authority structures are subject to God, no submission to them is absolute. If any authority demands those things God forbids or impedes those things God requires, then Christians are to respectfully and humbly disobey (Acts 5:29).
We believe that as Christians we are commanded to witness to and evangelize the lost, which invariably means engaging the culture (1 Pet 2:11-12). However, we deny that political or social activism should be viewed as the primary mission of the Church.
Civil: We believe Christians are to live peaceful lives in submission to all civil authorities, whom God ordains as His servants for His purposes (Rom 13:1). While it is God’s will that all civil authorities honor Him in their service, Christians are to submit regardless of the moral or spiritual character of their authorities (1 Pet 2:13). Accordingly, Christians are called to submit to civil rulers in all matters, regardless of the merits of the given law, unless such submission would cause the Christian to sin either by action or omission.
Family: The marriage covenant, a life-long union (Mat 19:4-6) between one man and one woman (Gen 2:24 Rom 1:25-27 1 Cor 7:2), is the beginning of family. We believe there are Biblical guidelines which frame the covenant of marriage.
1. Purity of the marriage bed is of the highest order, and all physical/sexual intimacy shared between male and female is reserved for marriage (1 Cor 6:18).
2. In the church, marriage is only to be sought between two believers (2 Cor 6:14).
3. Divorce is a tragic reality in a fallen world. Some believe that because the marriage bond is life-long, remarriage is not allowed. Others believe that, in some circumstances (adultery & abandonment are two examples), remarriage may be permissible. We support both views as possibilities. In at least some circumstances, divorced people are to remain single or, if possible, be reconciled to their spouse (1 Cor 7:11).
4. Marriage is designed to glorify God, to represent the Godhead and Jesus’ relationship with His Church, and for the support and development of the spiritual life (Eph 5:22-27) and for the propagation and holy training of children (Gen 1:28 Deu 6:6-7 Mal 2:15 Eph 6:4). In it, God has ordained the husband to be the head of his wife, spiritually responsible for everyone in his household (Eph 5:23). This is for the sake of order and in no way diminishes the worth of a woman (Gal 3:28). Both are equally created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). Yet in the created order, before the fall, God ordained complimentary roles for male and female which establish male headship (Gen 2:18-23 1 Cor 11:8 1 Tim 2:13). In the fall, the sinful nature was disposed to rebel against this order (Gen 3:16). So, while we stand against historical abuses of these roles, we also declare that when leadership and submission are patterned after the Godhead, it is a beautiful thing (1 Cor 11:3). The husband is responsible to protect, provide for, and love his family as a servant leader (1 Tim 5:8). The wife is to minister to her husband and children, to manage the home (Tit 2:4-5), and to dress herself with a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet 3:3-6). Together, both parents are responsible to provide their children with godly instruction (Eph 6:1-3). Children born into a Christian home are sanctified through their parent’s faith (1 Cor 7:14).
Church: We believe the universal church is a spiritual body, rather than a physical building, made up of all the elect who have been, are, or ever will be united by saving faith in Jesus Christ. While there have always been a people of God, the church in the New Covenant era had a unique historical beginning at Pentecost. In the Old Testament, saving faith looked forward to Christ (Heb 11:26), but He is now revealed (Col 1:26). The church visibly expresses itself in local bodies where the Word of God is preached and a Biblical trust in Jesus Christ is expressed. All churches are evidenced by these chief attributes: a submission to God’s Word and a Biblical trust in Jesus Christ.
Women in the Church: We believe that God created mankind, both male and female, with inherent biological and personal differences between them and that these divinely created differences are good, proper, and beautiful. Women are equally gifted in the ministry, and ought to function in the ministry with the biblical exceptions of the role of bishops and the teaching of men (1 Tim 2:12 1 Tim 3:2 1 Tim 3:12). Headship and authority are important biblical issues and thus it is important for both men and women to follow biblical principles in their roles within the church body (1 Cor 11:5 1 Cor 11:7 1 Tim 2:11-12). Christ is expressed beautifully by the Church when men and women walk in obedience to their God-given roles and serve according to their God-given gifts.
Spiritual Gifts: Four passages list a total of 19 gifts (Rom 12:6-8 1 Cor 12:8-11 1 Cor 12:28 Eph 4:11); but none is comprehensive, and from the context of each we can see that no attempt is made to define a precise list. Thus, it is possible that some spiritual gifts exist that are not specifically mentioned. Because of the confusion and division that has resulted from the way some gifts have been practiced, we here outline several truths that govern all gifts.
1. All Christians by definition have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. There is no such thing as a “Christian” who subsequently needs to be baptized in the Spirit (Rom 8:9).
2. The evidence of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life is the existence of “Fruit of the Spirit”, not a spiritual gift (Gal 5:22-23).
3. All Christians are spiritually gifted and play a significant role in the body of Christ (Rom 12:6).
4. All spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the body and the glory of Christ (1 Cor 12:7 1 Pet 4:10). There are no spiritual gifts given for the primary purpose of private edification.
5. Spiritual gifts are part of a Christian’s stewardship. They need to be practiced and developed (2 Tim 1:6).
Because we believe that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God, we fully embrace God’s design as the best for all humankind. Since our culture has been actively rejecting His standards over the last 60 years and more, we have seen firsthand multiple woes brought on our society as a result. Therefore, we think that the following Biblical principles are also essential and culturally relevant:
1. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male (man) or female (woman), sexually different but with equal personal dignity, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe in the dignity of individual persons affirming their biological gender (sex) in the midst of confusing times. God’s design is best and we cannot support attempts to physically change, alter, or disagree with one’s predominant biological gender (sex), including but not limited to sex reassignment, transvestite or transgender behavior, or gender identity disorder and related conduct. (Genesis 1:26-28 Romans 1:26-32 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
2. We believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the covenant union of one man and one woman for the benefit and welfare of humankind, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union. (Gen. 2:21-24 Matthew 19:4-5 Romans 1:24-27 1 Cor. 6:9-10 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 Leviticus 18:6-22) Therefore, we cannot accept any definition of marriage other than as stated in Scripture, whether such redefinition is issued by any religious, political, judicial, administrative and/or public or private agency.
3. In addition, we believe that the Bible outlines healthy God-blessed patterns of sexuality & condemns any form of sexual immorality. We believe that Christians must adhere to and practice biblical standards of morality. (Moral misconduct includes, but is not necessarily limited to, promiscuity, adultery, open marriage, homosexuality, bisexuality, polygamy, transgender identity, or any violation of the God-created order of male and female. From all such things God provides forgiveness, cleansing and restoration.) (Exodus 20:14 Leviticus 18:7-23 Leviticus 20:10-21 Deuteronomy 5:18 Matthew 5:27-28 Matthew 15:19 Romans 1:21-27 1 Corinthians 6:9-20)
We believe that God created everything (Gen 1:1 John 1:1-3) out of nothing (Gen 1:2 Heb 11:3) in order to reveal His glory (Isa 6:3 Isa 43:7 Rom 11:36). We further believe that God created Adam and Eve as the historical parents of the entire human race (Gen 1:27), His image bearers, crowned with His glory (Psa 8:5-6). We believe that all true science exists in harmony with God’s Word (John 14:6), and that when there is a contradiction between the Bible and science, then there is either an error in the interpretation of the Bible or an error in the science. In the case of creation, we do not believe the Bible specifically outlines the time-frame of creation in scientific fashion. However, we believe that in the days of Noah, God affected a literal and universal flood (Luke 17:26-27).
First, we believe that when Christians die they are instantly received into the glorious presence of Christ, and experience a joy that is better by far than any experience on earth (2 Cor 5:8). However, even in His presence, there is a longing for the completion of Christ’s work when our resurrected spirits will be reunited with our resurrected bodies (2 Cor 5:2-3).
We further believe that Christ will return in glory (1 Thes 4:16), with a loud trumpet call – personally, publically, physically (Mat 24:30 Acts 1:11) and suddenly (Mat 24:44), at the end of the age to gather His elect (Mat 24:31), raise the dead, judge the nations (John 5:28-29), and consummate His eternal Kingdom (1 Cor 15:23). In this, the righteous will be perfected in His glory and enter into the everlasting goodness of God (1 Cor 15:52). The unrighteous will face a conscious and eternal anguish and condemnation (Mat 13:42).
As to the timing of Christ’s return as it relates to the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-6) or the Tribulation (Dan. 12:1 Mt. 24:21 Rev. 7:14), we specifically choose not to adhere to a single view as the only correct option. We find strengths and weaknesses within all eschatological interpretations. Therefore, while individuals may hold certain convictions, we do not, as a church, promote one single view as the truth.