What We Teach
The Gospel
We teach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ—the eternal Word (John 1:1–2) who became man (Philippians 2:6–7) to be born under the law (Galatians 4:4) in order to live the perfect righteous life and die the satisfactory atoning death for His people. The person and work of Jesus Christ is the only way by which sinners may be reconciled to God (Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21; Romans 5:10) and be saved from His holy wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9) and thereby inherit everlasting life and peace with God. Hence, the gospel is “the good news” which we unashamedly teach.
The Bible
We teach that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, constitute the word of God. We therefore teach the plenary verbal inspiration of Scripture, that every word is equally breathed out by God in all its parts (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Thus, the Bible is absolutely inerrant in the original documents, being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit (Psalm 12:6; 119:160; Proverbs 30:5) and has final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
God
We teach that God is eternal (Revelation 1:8), infinite (Job 11:7–10), without parts (Exodus 3:14; 1 John 1:5; 4:8), and perfect in all His attributes. There is only but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5–7; 1 Corinthians 8:4) eternally existing in the Persons (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each uncreated and distinct, and each equally deserving worship and obedience. Each Person fully shares the same divine essence, sharing one mind, one will, and one power. We teach that the Father is neither begotten nor proceeding (John 5:26), the Son is eternally begotten of the Father (John 1:14; 1:18; 3:16; 5:26), and the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26).
God the Father
We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8–9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1–31; Ephesians 3:9). He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty, He is neither the author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38–47), nor does He absolve the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would save to be His own people (Ephesians 1:4–6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him and thereby becomes Father to them (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5–9).
God the Son
We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, is eternal God, coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, possessing all the divine perfections (John 1:1; 10:30; 14:9). All creation came into being through the eternal Son (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) and is presently sustained by Him (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3).
We teach that in the incarnation the eternal Son, the second Person of the Trinity, without altering His divine nature or surrendering any of the divine attributes, made Himself of no reputation by taking on a full human nature like with our own, yet without sin (Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35) and thus born of a woman (Galatians 4:4–5), so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the divine and the human, were joined together in one person, without confusion, change, division, or separation. He is therefore very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
We teach that in His incarnation, Christ fully possessed His divine nature, attributes, and prerogatives (Colossians 2:9; cf. Luke 5:18–26; John 16:30; 20:28). However, in the state of His humiliation, He did not always fully express the glories of His majesty, concealing them behind the veil of His humanity (Matthew 17:2; Mark 13:32; Philippians 2:5–8). According to His human nature, He acts in submission to the Father (John 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38) by the power of Holy Spirit (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:28; Luke 4:1, 14), while, according to His divine nature, He acts by His authority and power as the eternal Son (John 1:14; cf. 2:11; 10:37–38; 14:10–11).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished the redemption of His people through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross. His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (Isaiah 53:3–6; John 10:15, 18; Romans 3:24–25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). He rose from the grave three days after His crucifixion. Afterwards, he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) and is now seated at the right hand of the Father where He makes intercession for His people (Romans 8:34). He will come again to reign on earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1–7).
We teach that in the incarnation the eternal Son, the second Person of the Trinity, without altering His divine nature or surrendering any of the divine attributes, made Himself of no reputation by taking on a full human nature like with our own, yet without sin (Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35) and thus born of a woman (Galatians 4:4–5), so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the divine and the human, were joined together in one person, without confusion, change, division, or separation. He is therefore very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
We teach that in His incarnation, Christ fully possessed His divine nature, attributes, and prerogatives (Colossians 2:9; cf. Luke 5:18–26; John 16:30; 20:28). However, in the state of His humiliation, He did not always fully express the glories of His majesty, concealing them behind the veil of His humanity (Matthew 17:2; Mark 13:32; Philippians 2:5–8). According to His human nature, He acts in submission to the Father (John 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38) by the power of Holy Spirit (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:28; Luke 4:1, 14), while, according to His divine nature, He acts by His authority and power as the eternal Son (John 1:14; cf. 2:11; 10:37–38; 14:10–11).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished the redemption of His people through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross. His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (Isaiah 53:3–6; John 10:15, 18; Romans 3:24–25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). He rose from the grave three days after His crucifixion. Afterwards, he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) and is now seated at the right hand of the Father where He makes intercession for His people (Romans 8:34). He will come again to reign on earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1–7).
God the Holy Spirit
We teach that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is eternal God, coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father and the Son, possessing all the divine perfections. The Holy Spirit enabled men to write the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:21). He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8). He regenerates those who believe (John 3:5), places them into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and indwells them permanently (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), sealing them unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13). He calls out a people for God’s service, empowering and directing them in that service.
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:7–12), and that speaking in tongues (unlearned languages) and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church have now ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8–10; Ephesians 2:20), having fulfilled their purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1–4). The miraculous gifts were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:23).
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:7–12), and that speaking in tongues (unlearned languages) and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church have now ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8–10; Ephesians 2:20), having fulfilled their purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1–4). The miraculous gifts were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:23).
Angels
We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9–14; Hebrews 1:6–7, 14; 2:6–7; Revelation 5:11–14; 19:10; 22:9). Satan is a created angel who was the efficient cause of the first sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12–17; Ezekiel 28:11–19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1–14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1–15).
Man
We teach the universe and all that is in it, was created by God in six literal days. Mankind was created in the image of God but fell into sin by Adam’s voluntary act of disobedience. Adam’s sin led to his spiritual and physical death. Thus, sin, death, and enmity against God came into the world by one man’s sin (Romans 5:12).
We teach that because all men were in Adam—united with him as the representative of humanity—the guilt of sin was imputed and a corrupt nature was transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception (Romans 5:18–19; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1–3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9–18, 23; 5:10–12). Thus, all men, with the exception of Jesus Christ, are born into the world totally depraved—that is, every part of the human constitution—the intellect, mind, reason; emotions, sentiments, volition, motivations, and body—has been corrupted by the devastating effects of sin.
We teach that because all men were in Adam—united with him as the representative of humanity—the guilt of sin was imputed and a corrupt nature was transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception (Romans 5:18–19; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1–3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9–18, 23; 5:10–12). Thus, all men, with the exception of Jesus Christ, are born into the world totally depraved—that is, every part of the human constitution—the intellect, mind, reason; emotions, sentiments, volition, motivations, and body—has been corrupted by the devastating effects of sin.
Gender and Marriage
We teach that God created gender and human sexuality (Matthew 19:4). Gender therefore is not fluid or flexible, nor is it determined by one’s preferences. On the sixth day of creation, God created man “male and female” (Genesis 1:27). At the same time, the creation of Adam and Eve is God’s only standard for marriage.
We therefore teach God’s exclusive model for marriage is the union of one man and one woman in covenant commitment as “one flesh” for a lifetime of fidelity (Genesis 2:24–25). Marriage provides the framework for intimate companionship, sexual expression according to biblical standards (Proverbs 5:15–23), the means for procreation, and is God’s foundation for the family. All other sexual thoughts and practices are sinful and deviate from God’s design and will (Leviticus 18:22–24, Matthew 5:27–28, Romans 1:24–32, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
We therefore teach God’s exclusive model for marriage is the union of one man and one woman in covenant commitment as “one flesh” for a lifetime of fidelity (Genesis 2:24–25). Marriage provides the framework for intimate companionship, sexual expression according to biblical standards (Proverbs 5:15–23), the means for procreation, and is God’s foundation for the family. All other sexual thoughts and practices are sinful and deviate from God’s design and will (Leviticus 18:22–24, Matthew 5:27–28, Romans 1:24–32, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
Salvation
We teach that salvation is totally a sovereign work of God by His grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ—the merits both of His perfect righteous life and His sacrificial atoning death—and not on the basis of any human merit or work (John 1:12; Romans 5:18–19; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8–10; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Titus 3:5).
We teach that there is but one way of salvation (Acts 4:12), namely, through trusting in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9–10; Acts 16:31) and repenting of one’s sins (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38). All who do so pass from death to life, are forgiven of their sins, accepted by the Father, and adopted into His family by means of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14–18) Since salvation is a sovereign work of God, the Christian’s life in Christ can never be lost and is safely secured by the Holy Spirit (John 10:28; Ephesians 1:13).
We teach that there is but one way of salvation (Acts 4:12), namely, through trusting in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9–10; Acts 16:31) and repenting of one’s sins (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38). All who do so pass from death to life, are forgiven of their sins, accepted by the Father, and adopted into His family by means of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14–18) Since salvation is a sovereign work of God, the Christian’s life in Christ can never be lost and is safely secured by the Holy Spirit (John 10:28; Ephesians 1:13).
The Christian Life
We teach that as the result of salvation, Christians are given spiritual life and are set apart from the world, and expected to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Christians are expected to live their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). The flesh, in its fallen nature, which in this life is never fully eradicated, needs to be subdued by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian.
We teach that obedience to God’s word is paramount. No one can be justified by obedience to the law. However, this does not mean that God’s law is to be disregarded. On the contrary, God’s people love God’s word because His law is written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). God’s word is their delight and meditation (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119) since God’s character is reflected in His law. Moreover, God’s word provides the path of wise-living from the all-wise God (Psalm 119:105). The way we demonstrate our love and affection for our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, is to obey His commandments (John 15:10; 1 John 2:3).
We teach that obedience to God’s word is paramount. No one can be justified by obedience to the law. However, this does not mean that God’s law is to be disregarded. On the contrary, God’s people love God’s word because His law is written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). God’s word is their delight and meditation (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119) since God’s character is reflected in His law. Moreover, God’s word provides the path of wise-living from the all-wise God (Psalm 119:105). The way we demonstrate our love and affection for our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, is to obey His commandments (John 15:10; 1 John 2:3).
The Church
We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12–13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23–32; Revelation 19:7–8), of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18). The formation of the church, began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–21, 38–47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual entity designed by Christ, made up of all regenerate persons (i.e., believers) in this present age (Ephesians 2:11–3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Ephesians 3:1–6; 5:32).
We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ to provide care and oversight over the congregation are elders/overseers/pastors (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) of whom must meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1–8; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–5).
We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13–16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16–17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38–42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).
We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ to provide care and oversight over the congregation are elders/overseers/pastors (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) of whom must meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1–8; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–5).
We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13–16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16–17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38–42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).
End Times
We teach in the imminent, pre-tribulational return of Jesus to rapture His church, both dead and living believers, and to reward each individual believer according to his works (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53). At the end of the seven-year tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will physically return with His saints and they will reign together with Him over the nations for a thousand years, after which Satan will be released. After the millennial earthly reign of Christ, the unbelieving dead will be raised and judged together with Satan and his emissaries, to be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity to pay for the consequences of their rebellion against God (Revelation 20). Believers, however, will share eternal joy with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven (Acts 1:11).