Eschatology
God is omniscient, sovereign, and providentially involved in the universe. Prophecy is the revelation of his plan and he will perfectly fulfill his prophetic word. In addition, prophecy is properly interpreted literally rather than allegorically.
- The nation of Israel and the church are distinct elect groups in Scripture. While all elect humans are saved through the efficacious work of Christ, a literal interpretation of prophecy understands that God is not finished with the nation of Israel. As such, we reject any form of replacement theology.
- The first coming of Christ was a display of perfect humility and sacrifice, in which he accomplished our salvation through his death and resurrection. His second coming is the event when he will return to this earth following the Great Tribulation, and will establish a literal millennial reign and will rule as King of kings from Jerusalem.
- There will be a literal, physical resurrection of every human being. The righteous will inherit eternal life in heaven, an experience of indescribable bliss and joy, while the unrighteous will incur conscious torment, along with Satan and his demons.
Statement of Faith
The Bible
The Scriptures, fully contained in the Old and New Testaments, are
the inspired, infallible word of God in their original autographs
and remains the infallible standard for salvation, theology,
morality, and Christian living. The Bible is the highest authority
for the church. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25)
The Trinity
There is one God who is the Creator and Sustainer of all created
things. As God, he is distinct from creation, being eternal,
infinite, immutable, sovereign, and infallible in all things. He
is essentially love, holy, truth, life, and the source of
morality. God is relational, a Trinity who is one in being and
three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis
1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20; Hebrews 1:3)
Creation
God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He created ex
nihilo (out of nothing) by the word of his power and with
specified complexity. By his creative design living things have
the capacity to adapt and flourish. God exercises providential
care for his creation, with Christ upholding creation by the word
of his power. We reject the views of an eternal universe and
naturalistic macroevolution as sufficient explanations for the
existence and complexity observed in the universe. We affirm that
creation includes spiritual beings and the physical universe, and
that the purpose of creation is to glorify God. (Genesis 1:1;
Matthew 6:25-33; Psalm 19:1; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3).
Humanity
Every human is made in the image and likeness of God, having
intellect, feelings, and free will. We are morally responsible for
our actions and their consequences. In addition, since humans are
communal, the actions of the individual affect the broader
community. Adam and Eve chose to sin, and their free will decision
affected the whole of humanity. All human descendants from Adam
are born with a sin nature and are separated from fellowship with
God. We are spiritually dead, incapable of earning salvation from
sin.
Salvation
Salvation is exclusively a work of God. He initiated its plan and
accomplished salvation through the virgin birth of Jesus, his
sinless life, substitutionary death and resurrection from the
dead. Salvation is available to all people, and is the free gift
of God apart from any human work, and is received by the grace of
God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The believer is sealed by
the Holy Spirit, who works to transform the believer toward
Christ-like character. This process of sanctification is lifelong.
(John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Church
The universal church is comprised of every person who has placed
their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for
salvation. The church is a living spiritual body, and transcends
all racial, ethnic, political, and geographical parameters. Christ
is the head of his church and every born again person is a member
of his church. Through the Spirit of God, every member of the
church is equipped with gifts that are essential for the whole
church to flourish and grow in spiritual maturity. While the gifts
differ in function, every gift is equally necessary for the health
of the universal church.
Angels and Demons
Angels are literal, created spiritual beings, who have significant
influence in human life. God created angels in perfection and with
choice. Lucifer rebelled against God and led one third of the
angels in revolt. Their consequence is eternal torment. Satan and
demons are finite and have the capacity to negatively influence
humans. Angels, in contrast, have the capacity to influence human
beings toward righteousness. Both angels and humans will enjoy
eternal life together, while demons are sentenced to an eternal
torment.
Eschatology
God is omniscient, sovereign, and providentially involved in the
universe. Prophecy is the revelation of his plan and he will
perfectly fulfill his prophetic word. In addition, prophecy is
properly interpreted literally rather than allegorically.
We Affirm
We affirm that every human is made in the image and likeness of
God, and life begins at conception. From conception to death,
every life is invaluable, worth protecting and celebrating.
Physical or mental disabilities do not diminish the innate worth
and identity of every human being.
We Reject
We reject any interpretation of Scripture or caricature of God
that diminishes his love for the whole of humanity and of his
desire for every person to receive salvation.
Unity and Love
Christians are united in the essential truths of Scripture. These
essential truths relate to the nature of God, the Person and work
of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Within Christian thought
are various views related to secondary doctrines. On these
secondary doctrines we extend liberty while maintaining our unity
in Christ.