Statement of Beliefs

We recognize and embrace the rich diversity of theological backgrounds represented in our community.  While we do not all hold the same convictions on every doctrinal point and may differ on the levels of emphasis, we are united by a shared commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to life together as His Body.

Core Principles

Unity in essential beliefs.  
These include the triune nature of God, the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, salvation by grace through faith, and the authority of Scripture. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Liberty in nonessential beliefs.
In such areas, we welcome dialogue, not to dilute truth, but to pursue it in humility, recognizing that even nonessential doctrines shape our discipleship. (Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22)
Love in all things. 
In all things, we commit to Christlike love that is patient, humble, and active—forming us into the likeness of Jesus and binding us together in peace. (1 Corinthians 13)
The Scriptures
  • The Bible is the inspired Word of God, breathed out by the Holy Spirit through human authors. It is fully trustworthy, revealing God’s truth and His ongoing plan to redeem and restore all creation. The Bible shows us who God is, how He has acted in history, and how we are called to trust and follow Him. It is our sure and sufficient guide for faith, life, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Luke 24:27; Hebrews 4:12)
  • It is the story that ultimately leads to Jesus, rather than a collection of doctrinal statements or moral directives. (Luke 24:13-35, John 5:39)
  • Jesus, who is called the Word (John 1:1), is the ultimate interpretive lens of the Bible. (Luke 24:17, John 17:17, Matthew 5:18)
  • The Bible should be read in its historical, cultural and literary context.
  • The Word of God is the triune God’s active self-expression—His voice, His presence, His will—made most fully known to us in the person of Jesus, the living Word. Scripture stands as a trustworthy and Spirit-breathed witness to this Word, but it is not the only way God speaks. The Holy Spirit continues to guide us into truth, and even creation quietly proclaims the wonder and glory of its Creator. (John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:12; John 16:13; Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20; 15:4)
The Godhead
  • One God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
  • The Trinity is relational, reflecting the divine love and unity at the heart of all creation.
  • Each person of the Trinity is equal in essence, power, and glory.
  • God is both transcendent, above and beyond all creation (Isaiah 55:8-9), and immanent, present and active within it (Jeremiah 23:23-24) and He seeks to be in relation with us.  
  • God, in His triune nature, is the source and fulfillment of all true worship. He is worthy of all praise as the Creator and Redeemer, whose glory fills heaven and earth. (Psalm 96:4-6, Revelation 4:8-11, Romans 11:36)
  • The Person and Work of God the Father
  • Creator, sustainer, sovereign over all. (Psalm 139:1-18, Isaiah 40:18-31, Acts 17:24-25)
  • God is holy, just, and sovereign—eternal and unchanging in all His ways. (Romans 3:26; Malachi 3:6) He is full of steadfast love and mercy toward all He has made. (Psalm 145:8-9; Ephesians 2:4) He knows all things, holds all power, and is always present. (Psalm 139:1-10; Jeremiah 32:17)
  • The sender of Jesus and Father of believers. (Ephesians 1:3-6, Hebrews 12:5)
  • God reigns over all He has made, and His purpose is to restore it. Through Jesus Christ, He is bringing healing to a broken world—reconciling all things to Himself. What He has begun, He will surely finish (Colossians 1:19–20; Romans 8:18–25; Revelation 21:5).
  • He calls His church universal to participate in His mission, reflecting His love and justice in the world. (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
  • Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of Israel’s story and God’s promise (John 1:41, Luke 24:25-27, Acts 2:36)
  • Jesus is fully God and fully human, the incarnate Word. (John 1:1-14; John 8:58, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 2:14, Philippians 2:6-8, John 1:14) 
  • Jesus was born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:23-25)
  • Lived a sinless life, died as a substitute for sinners. (Romans 3:23-25, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
  • Jesus bodily resurrection inaugurated new creation, confirming His victory over death and secured the promise of restoration. (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Romans 6:9-10)
  • He now lives and intercedes for believers. (Romans 4:25, Hebrews 7:23-25, 1 John 2:1-2)
  • Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection inaugurated God’s kingdom on earth. (Mark 1:15, Matthew 5-7)
  • Jesus' resurrection marks the beginning of new creation—the firstfruits of God’s promise to restore all things under Christ. What began in Him will one day be fully realized, as all of creation is renewed and brought under His reign. (Ephesians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
  • Jesus is now exalted as Lord, reigning at the right hand of the Father and will return to bring all things to completion, fully establishing God's reign on earth. (Acts 1:11, Philippians 2:9-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Revelation 21:1-5, 22:12-13)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
  • Following the completed work of Jesus Christ, the Father sent another Helper—the Holy Spirit—to dwell with and abide in believers forever. (John 14:15–18)
  • The Spirit is God’s empowering presence, forming us into the likeness of Christ and enabling us to live in communion with Him. (John 14:16–17; Acts 1:8)
  • He regenerates and indwells believers at salvation, sealing us for the day of redemption and marking us as God’s own. (Romans 8:1–13; 1 Corinthians 12:4–13; Ephesians 1:13–14)
  • The Spirit dwells within God’s people, guiding them in wisdom and truth. (Romans 8:1-11, Galatians 5:22-23)
  • He produces spiritual fruit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 5:18)
  • He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, awakening hearts to the reality of God. (John 16:7–11)
  • The Spirit empowers the Church to reflect God's kingdom in the world, shaping a people who bear witness to Jesus through word and deed. (Acts 2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
  • The Holy Spirit forms us into the likeness of Christ, but when we resist Him through sin or selfishness, the Spirit can be grieved and His work in us quenched (Ephesians 4:30–31; Galatians 5:17–19). Yet even in our failure, He gently calls us back into the life of love and holiness we were made for.
Creation, Humanity's Vocation and The Fall
  • God created all things for His glory. (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17)
  • Humanity was created in God's image, male and female, to bear His image, reflect His character, steward creation, and cultivate flourishing in the world. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25, Psalm 8:3-8, Ephesians 5:21)
  • Male and female were created as equal in dignity, distinct yet interdependent, and united in purpose to reflect the love and unity of God and steward His creation. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15-18, 21-23, Galatians 3:28, Psalm 8:4-6, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 11:11-12, Ephesians 5:21, 31-32, John 17:21-23, Romans 8:19-21)
  • Through the disobedience of Adam, humanity fell into sin, distorting God’s design and bringing brokenness into the world. (Genesis 3:1-19, Romans 5:12, 17-19)
  • Sin is missing the mark of God’s expectations; it leads to separation from God and fractures God's intended order and needs redemption. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Genesis 3) Yet even in judgment, God made a way: He subjected the world to futility not in finality, but in hope—so that through His intervention, all things might one day be redeemed. (Romans 8:19–21)
  • Humanity shares in Adam’s disobedience—born into a condition of sin and separation from God. Whether seen as our representative or the archetype of our rebellion, Adam’s failure set the pattern for a world in need of rescue. Apart from God’s intervention, we cannot restore our broken condition (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22).
  • God's mission is to rescue, heal, and restore His relationship with both humanity and His creation. (Romans 8:19-21)
  • All life is sacred and every person has inherent dignity even as a distorted image bearer of God. (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:1-4)
  • Marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, and sexual intimacy is a gift reserved for this relation.  Marriage is designed to reflect Christ’s love for the Church, marked by mutual service and self-giving love. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18-25, Malachi 2:14, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:1-12, Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Corinthians 7:1-16, Colossians 3:18-19, 1 Peter 3:1-7, Revelation 19:7-9)
  • While marriage reflects Christ’s covenant love, singleness also bears witness to the sufficiency of Christ and the hope of the kingdom (1 Corinthians 7:7–8, 32–35). Both are honored callings within the body of Christ. Whether married or single, all are called to live lives of chastity integrity and love within the community of faith.
Salvation and The Kingdom of God
  • Salvation is about being rescued from sin, death, and being brought into God’s kingdom mission. (Colossians 1:13-14, Ephesians 2:8-10)
  • Salvation is also about joining in God's restoration project of renewing all things—healing hearts, reconciling relationships, restoring creation, and advancing His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. (Luke 4:18–19; Romans 8:19–21; 2 Corinthians 5:17–20; Revelation 21:5)
  • Salvation is not merely about going to Heaven but about Heaven coming to Earth through Jesus. (Matthew 6:10, Luke 10:9, 17:20-21, Revelation 21:1-3)
  • Jesus’ sacrifice is the only way to salvation. (John 3:16, Acts 4:12) 
  • Salvation is by grace through faith, not works. Faith is a gift from God who invites, initiates and empowers. (Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5, Romans 5:1)
  • True faith in Jesus leads to forgiveness and transformation. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1-2, James 2:16-17)
  • Eternal life begins now as we live into the reality of God’s new creation. (John 17:3, 1 Corinthians 15) 
  • God faithfully preserves His people, empowering and protecting them to persevere in faith. Scripture warns against complacency by calling believers to active trust and endurance in their relationship with Him (John 10:28-29, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 3:14, 6:4-6, 2 Peter 1:10).
Sanctification
  • A believer is set apart for God at salvation (1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:10). At the moment of faith in Jesus Christ, they are sanctified, marked as God’s own. This initial setting apart is the beginning of a lifelong process of growth and transformation. As believers engage with God's Word and the Holy Spirit works in their hearts, they are progressively sanctified, becoming more like Christ and maturing in their faith. (Romans 12:1–3; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
  • The Spirit enables believers to reflect God’s character and partner in His mission. (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18) 
  • Through sanctification believer become truer reflections of God’s character and participate more fully in in His renewing work. (1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 12:1-2)
  • Final sanctification and believers’ glorification will occur at Christ’s return. (1 John 3:2-3)
The Church
  • The Church is the renewed people of God, continuing the mission of Israel and bearing witness to His kingdom. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 11:17-24)
  • The universal Church consist of all who belong to Jesus across time and space, united by the Holy Spirit into one body. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:4-6, Revelation 7:9-10)
  • The local church gathers for worship, teaching, community and mission and is to be a foretaste of God’s future restoration. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47,2 Corinthians 5:20)
  • The Church is not a building or institution but a family of disciples living in the way of Jesus, and embodying His love, justice and mercy. (Acts 2:42-47)
  • The ministry of Jesus – proclaiming the kingdom, healing the sick, and freeing the oppressed – continues with the Church, and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 11:4-5, Luke 10:1-9, 17-20, John 14:12, Acts 1:18, 3:6-8, 8:6-7, 19:11-12)
  • The Church is united yet diverse, equipped with spiritual gifts for ministry, and commissioned to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and display Christ’s love and holiness. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47)
  • The Church, though imperfect, serves as the visible witness of God’s kingdom, anticipating the day when Heaven and Earth will be made new, and God will dwell fully with His people once more. (Ephesians 1:13-14, Revelation 21:1-5)
Baptism and The Lord's Supper
  • Baptism is a sign of God's covenant faithfulness and a symbol of union with Jesus Christ. It marks our entrance into the family of God, signifying our participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection and our calling to a new life of discipleship. Baptism is administered to believers as a response of faith, and, depending on conviction and tradition, may also be given to the children of believers as a sign of God’s covenant promises and the intention to raise them in the knowledge and grace of the Lord. We acknowledge and respect differing understandings of baptism within the body of Christ, and we celebrate the shared meaning of baptism as an outward sign of the inward work of God, the grace that precedes us, and the life of obedience that follows. (Matthew 28:19–20; Romans 6:3–5; Galatians 3:26–27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38–39; Genesis 17:7; Proverbs 22:6)
  • The Lord’s Supper reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, spiritually nourishes us, unites us with Him and one another, and is administered to all who partake in a worthy manner. The Lord meets us at His table, strengthening us by His Spirit. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-29, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:53-56)
The Role of Government and Justice
  • Earthly governments are temporary and flawed, but believers are called to respect and obey governing authorities, but never as a higher authority than God or at the cost of disobeying God’s will or call to speak and act in faithfulness to the gospel. Jesus is Lord, Ceasar is not.  (Romans 13:1-7, Acts 5:27-29, 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
  • Justice and mercy are central to God’s heart, and we are called to seek the flourishing of all people. (Micah 6:8)
  • Allegiance belongs to Jesus as Lord and the Kingdom of God which transcends national and political systems. (Philippians 3:20, Revelation 11:15)
Spiritual Beings and The Unseen Realm
  • There is a spiritual reality beyond the physical world. (Ephesians 6:12)
  • Satan, fallen angels, and evil are real, and they oppose God and deceive human beings but have been defeated in Christ. (Luke 10:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Colossians 2:15, Revelation 12:7-9, 20:10)
  • Angels serve God’s purposes, but their role should not be overemphasized. (Hebrews 1:14, Daniel 10:12-14)
The Restoration of All Things
  • Jesus will physically return to bring full restoration. (Acts 1:11, Revelation 21:1-5)
  • Resurrection and our final hope are heaven and earth being reunited. (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Romans 8:19-25)
  • Jesus will set things right with both justice and renewal. (Acts 17:31, Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 25:31-46)
  • Evil will be undone, and creation made new. (Isaiah 11:6-9, Revelation 22:1-5)
  • Every soul will endure eternally—either in joyful life with God or in separation from Him. At Christ’s return, those united to Him will share fully in His restored creation, while those who reject Him will face separation and loss. (2 Thessalonians 1:8–10; Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Revelation 20:11–15)
  • In the meantime, believers must be ready by living holy and faithful lives, standing firm against evil, and preaching the gospel. (Mark 8:38, Titus 2:13, Revelation 2-3, Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 4:1-2)