What We Believe

We affirm the five “Solas” of the Reformation:

“Sola Scriptura” – Scripture Alone
“Sola Gratia” – Grace Alone
“Sola Fide” – Faith Alone
“Solus Christus” – Christ Alone
“Soli Deo Gloria” – To the Glory of God Alone

 

We stand in the tradition of the historic Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689.

 

We belong to the Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (FIRE).


Confession 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

 


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.

 


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.

 


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.

 


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.


 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.


 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.

 


PERSEVERANCE

We believe that all who are regenerated, called and justified shall persevere in holiness and never finally fall away.

 


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.

 


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.

 


CHURCH ORDINANCES

We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are gospel ordinances belonging only to regenerated believers.

 


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.