Together with the Church of the ages:
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
The Nicene Creed
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who, for us humans and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And we believe in one Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Furthermore
1. Concerning the Scriptures
We believe that the Bible, specifically the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, is the written Word of God; that it was written by people 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 centre of Christian union, and the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.
Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Peter 1:19-20; 1 John 5:9; Acts 15:15; Acts 28:23.
2. Concerning the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, a personal and intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, infinite in all perfections, and worthy of all possible honour, 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 without division of nature, essence, or being; yet each having distinct personal attributes and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:17; Exodus 3:14; Romans 11:34-36; Revelation 5:12-14; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:11; John 15:26.
3. Concerning Divine Providence
We believe that God, from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and continually sustains, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17; Job 38:11; Isaiah 46:10-11; Psalm 1:6; 1 John 2:16.
4. Concerning the Fall of Humankind
We believe that God created human beings in his own image, and originally free from sin; but through the temptation of Satan, the first humans voluntarily transgressed the command of God, and fell from their original holiness and righteousness; in consequence of which all humankind are now sinners, having inherited a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and his law, and are under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defence or excuse.
Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:10-19, 23; Romans 5:12-19; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:7.
5. Concerning Election
We believe that election is God’s eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life, not because of foreseen merit in them, but because of His mere mercy in Christ, in consequence of which they are called, justified, and glorified.
2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Ephesians 2:4-6, 8; Romans 8:30.
6. Concerning the Mediator
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, and is accomplished through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; who is the divinely appointed Mediator between God and man; who without sin took upon Himself human nature and perfectly fulfilled the divine law; who by his death upon the cross made a full atonement for the sins of His people; and who rose from the dead and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He now sits enthroned, ever living to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church, and is therefore in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
1 Timothy 2:5; Philippians 2:7-8; Galatians 3:13; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14; Romans 3:25, 26; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:5; Psalms 2:6; Luke 1:33; Hebrews 4:15.
7.Concerning Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration is a change of heart, performed by the Holy Spirit, who resurrects those dead in sin, spiritually and savingly enlightening their minds to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature so that they voluntarily love and practice holiness; that it is a work of God’s free and special grace alone; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.
Ephesians 2:1-6; John 3:3-6; Ezekiel 36:26-7; Ephesians 1:17-18; Luke 19:8; Isaiah 1:16-18, James 2:17, 22, 26.
8. Concerning Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, brought to bear in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. In repentance a person being deeply convinced by the Holy Spirit of his guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, turns to God with godly sorrow, and commits to walk before God so as to please Him in all things. In saving faith a person believes, on God’s authority, that which is revealed in His Word concerning Christ, accepting, relying, and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life.
Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:31; John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Galatians 2:20; Titus 3:4-6; Romans 6:23.
9. Concerning Justification
We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners wherein He removes our guilt and reconciles us to Himself; that it is bestowed through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not in consideration of anything produced in us or done by us, but solely on account of His substitutionary death on the cross, and on the basis of His perfect righteousness, which is freely imputed to us by God; and that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favour with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Romans 3:24; Romans 4:5-8; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:14; Romans 5:10; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 5:17.
10. Concerning the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but only their own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. It is therefore incumbent on all believers to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14, 15, 17.
11. Concerning Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which we are progressively transformed into the image of Christ, that it is begun in regeneration, and that it is carried on for the duration of life in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, through the continual use of the appointed means, especially the word of God, the sacraments, and prayer.
Romans 6:5-6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23.
12. Concerning the Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by his Holy Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and that though they may fall through neglect and temptation into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the church and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
John 10:28, 29; Romans 8:30; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Psalm 51:10, 12.
13. Concerning the Church
We believe that Christians are to associate themselves into particular churches, according to Christ’s commandment; that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, bound together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, and exercising the various gifts given them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church; that its primary duties are the reading and preaching of God’s Word, the right administration of Christ’s sacraments, and the faithful exercise of discipline over its members; and that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Matthew 16:15-20; Acts 2:41-42; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:13; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim 3:8-13; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5.
14. Concerning Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein a person is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of their fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of giving themselves up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. Its only proper subjects are those who do actually profess repentance towards God, and faith in and obedience to the Lord Jesus and it is prerequisite to church membership, and to participation in the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21.
15. Concerning the Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ, to be observed by his churches until the end of the world; that it is to be observed by the eating of bread and the drinking of wine; and that it is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate His death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge, and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship.
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 21.
16. Concerning the Lord’s Day
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day; and is to be kept sacred for religious purposes by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.
Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 20:7; John 20:1, 19; Matthew 12:1-13; Hebrews 4:9-11.
17. Concerning Liberty of Conscience
We believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. We also believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
18. Concerning Marriage
We believe that God has ordained marriage as a covenantal union between one genetic man and one genetic woman, which he established at creation and which the Lord Jesus and his apostles affirmed, and that it is the only context for sexual expression. Men and women are made in the image of God and therefore have equal dignity and value. Within marriage a husband and wife have been given complementary roles: a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church; a wife is to submit herself to the loving leadership of her husband as the church submits willingly to the headship of Christ.
Genesis 2:15-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Colossians 3:18-22; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Corinthians 11:3-12.
19. Concerning the Last Things
We believe that death is not the end; that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will appear from heaven, personally and visibly, and raise the dead, both righteous and wicked, from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place which will fix forever the final state of people in heaven or hell, the wicked being adjudged to everlasting conscious punishment, and the righteous to everlasting life and joy.
Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 1:11; 1 John 2:28; Romans 14:10; Matthew 25:21, 34, 32-46; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12.
How are we structured as a church? Read our church constitution here.