In November 2022, the church adopted this statement of faith as a summary of our doctrinal beliefs. It is not exhaustive, but rather states what we believe to be the important guardrails for our leadership and our teaching. This confession is rooted in historic Baptist statements of faith dating back centuries, like the New Hampshire Confession, the Baptist Faith and Message, and the Second London Confession.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

I. Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books, was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter, that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

II. Of the True God

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, whose name is YAHWEH or JEHOVAH, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

III. Of Humanity

We believe that human beings are, from conception and regardless of race or nationality, created in the image of God and worthy of dignity and respect; that they are to be God’s image by their dominion and stewardship of creation; and that the gift of gender is part of God’s good creation, meaning that human beings are made to be either male or female.

IV. Of the Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners by choice and inherit from Adam a sinful nature, being therefore utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

V. Of the Mediator

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and took upon himself a human nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

VI. Of Salvation

We believe that salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all people and applied to those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by his own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer; that salvation consists of regeneration by the Spirit’s power, justification by faith on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, sanctification in which we progress in spiritual maturity, and glorification which is the culmination of salvation and the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed; and that there is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

VII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that all genuine believers are born of the Spirit of God and endure in faith to the end, being kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

VIII. Of a Gospel Church

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; and that its Scriptural officers are pastors (or elders) and deacons.

IX. Of Baptism

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that it is a sign of the believer’s fellowship with God, forgiveness of sins, and faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior; that it is commanded to be received by believing and repentant sinners, and is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.

X. Of the Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ in which the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, is to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes; preceded always by solemn self-examination and administered only to professing believers.

XI. Of the Family

We believe that the family is a foundational institution of human society; that marriage is a good gift for many that consists of the uniting of one man and one woman, and only one man and one woman, in covenant together displaying the sacrificial love of Christ and the Church; and that children are a blessing from the Lord and worthy of loving care and instruction.

XII. Of the Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that leaders are to be prayed for, honored, and obeyed except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings.

XIII. Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.