We base all we believe, teach, and confess on the Holy Bible,
which is God's very Word to us
(Psalm 119:160;
2 Tim. 3:16-17;
2 Peter 1:20-21)
Bible Interpretation Method: We use the Historical-Grammatical method, so we take the Bible to mean what it says
(unless the context indicates a non-literal meaning). We use Scripture to interpret Scripture; when a passage is
difficult to understand, we use other passages to help us rightly understand it.
The Way of Salvation: We believe, teach, and confess that all have sinned
(Romans 3:23)
and deserve God’s eternal punishment
(Romans 6:23);
nevertheless, God’s awesome love moved Him to send
His Son to be our Savior
(John 3:16).
Then Jesus lived a sinless life
(Hebrews 4:15),
received our sins and our penalty
(
2 Corinthians 5:21;1 John 2:2)
,
died to seal His victory
(1 Peter 3:18),
and rose victorious over sin, death, and the devil
(
Acts 10:41;1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
.
Now God is working, through baptism (water and Word;
Acts 2:38-39) and
directly through the Word
(
James 1:18;
1 Peter 1:23),
to enable sinners to repent
(Luke 13:3),
believe in Jesus
(John 6:47), and receive
(John 1:12)
His gifts of forgiveness, spiritual life, and eternal salvation!
Other Important Beliefs
God: He is one divine essence, yet there are three Persons,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Creation: God created all things in six days
(
Genesis 1:1,
Genesis 2:2)
.
Original Sin: Since Adam’s fall into sin, all people are sinful from conception; therefore,
all are spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God, thus deserving of eternal
punishment
(
Romans 5:12;
Psalm 51:5;
1 Corinthians 2:14;
Ephesians 2:1;
Romans 8:7;
2 Thessalonians 1:9)
.
Bible: It is God’s very Word to us, without error, without contradiction,
and for our eternal benefit; furthermore, it shows us our sin, our Savior, and the true meaning
of life (
2 Timothy 3:16;
2 Peter 1:20-21;
Romans 3:20;
John 5:39;
John 14:6;
Acts 17:24-31).
Jesus: He is the Son of God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, who became flesh and
dwelt among us in order to live without sin, receive our sins, receive our eternal punishment, and lay
down His life for our salvation
(
Mark 1:1;
John 1:1;
John 1:14;
Hebrews 4:15;
1 Peter 2:24;
1 John 2:2;
John 10:11)
!
Justification: Since no one can overcome his sin or make himself just in God’s sight,
God has done that for us in Jesus! Though no one is able to earn God’s forgiveness, God declares us to be
forgiven and justified through faith in Jesus – knowing about Him, believing such things to be true, and
trusting in Him for eternal life
(
Romans 3:20-24;
Romans 3:28;
John 3:16-18)
!
Means of Grace: Since all are spiritually helpless, God is the one who unites us to Jesus
and His Saving work through Baptism and directly through His Word
(
Acts 2:38-39;
Titus 3:5;
James 1:18;
1 Peter 1:23)
.
New Obedience: Having been made alive in Christ, we desire to live for Christ,
do the works God has prepared for us, and show forth the fruit of the Spirit
(
2 Corinthians 5:15;
Ephesians 2:10;
Galatians 5:22-23)
.
Spiritual Nourishment: God is the one who strengthens and preserves us unto everlasting
life through His Word and the Lord’s Supper
(
Philippians 1:6;
Matthew 4:4;
1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
.
Repentance: God is calling and enabling all people to admit their sins, be sorry
for their sins, trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, and seek to live unto God’s glory by
living according to His Word
(
Romans 3:23;
Acts 2:36-37;
Acts 3:19;
1 John 1:9;
John 5:24;
Matthew 5:16;
James 1:22)
.
Jesus’ Return: At the appointed time, and like a thief in the night,
Jesus will return, raise all the dead, separate the believers from the non-believers, give the fullness of
eternal life to all believers, and send all non-believers and evil angels to eternal punishment
(
Acts 17:31;
1 Thessalonians 5:2;
Matthew 24:37-39;
Hebrews 9:28;
John 5:28-29;
Matthew 25:31-46)
.