There is only one true God, the Creator and Judge of all things, who has freely revealed himself through his word and works as an infinite, eternal, and unchangeable Spirit, perfect in his wisdom, goodness, and power. This one true God exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each of whom are equally and fully God.
All things were created by God, and all things exist for his own glory. Whatever comes to pass in this world has been ordained by God before the world began, yet God is not the author of sin, nor is he to be blamed for our wickedness.
God created our first parents, Adam and Eve, in righteousness and true holiness. He freely entered into a covenant with them whereby, if they obeyed God perfectly, they would be confirmed in that state of perfection in which they were first created. However, Adam and all of mankind with him broke the covenant by eating the forbidden fruit. Consequently, they fell from that state of blessedness and into a state of sin and misery, bringing death on all mankind. Man became God's enemy, and now is both unable and unwilling to come to God for salvation.
Whatever good things man may do in this world are nonetheless expressions of his rebellion against God, since they are not done in his service or for his glory. They cannot therefore, in any ultimate sense, be considered truly good.
THE WAY OF SALVATION Salvation from this state of sin and misery comes to us by means of a new covenant, made between God the Father and God the Son, on our behalf. Before the world began, the Father and the Son agreed to save the church through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In accord with this new covenant, God the Son freely clothed himself with perfect humanity by being born of a virgin, living a perfect life, and suffering the penalty for sin by dying on the cross. On the third day, he rose bodily from the dead, thereby showing that the Father had accepted his sacrifice, and that no further penalty for sin remained. He appeared alive to his disciples for a period of forty days, after which he ascended into heaven in their sight, there to sit at the right hand of the Father and rule over the heavens and the earth. Having received the promise of the Father, he poured out the Holy Spirit upon the church at Pentecost.
Now this gracious salvation is freely offered in the power of the Spirit to all who repent and believe on Christ alone for salvation. This salvation is entirely the free gift of God, and does not depend for anything in man for its effect, whether that be the will to believe, the faith of one's parents, or membership in a particular race. It provides a full atonement for sin and imputes the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to our account, making us right with God and heirs of his promise. Our salvation is secure and can never be taken away from those who are in Christ Jesus.
THE NEW LIFE
Those who receive the Spirit of Christ now desire to serve the Lord in the power of the Spirit. A new principle of righteousness is present within them. The reign of sin is broken, and they are being renewed in the image of Christ. With gladness and joy they eagerly enter the courts of the Lord for worship. Like newborn babes, they long for the pure milk of the word of God--it is their meditation all the day. As children of the Father, they rest in his loving provision for all their needs, and gratefully obey his every command.
While made new in Christ, they are not yet made perfect. Sin still remains within their hearts, and continues to exercise a powerful influence over their lives. When Christians fall into sin, they do not continue in sin, but confess their sin to God and to whoever else they've offended, in order to receive forgiveness and be restored back into fellowship. Because they are forgiven, they can boldly witness to those outside the covenant of their need for salvation.
THE CHURCH
The church is the people of God and the bride of Christ, the seed of Abraham and the true Israel. This church manifests itself more or less perfectly in the public gathering of those who have been baptized and regularly receive the Lord's Supper. The church ordinarily meets on the Lord's Day for worship, fellowship, and witness, and welcomes into its assembly all those who are yet outside the covenant, that they might learn of Christ and be saved.
The officers of the church are those whom Christ has appointed to serve with divine authority. They include elders to teach and govern the church, and deacons to minister to the poor, the sick, and the elderly. Members should respect the rule of their leaders and pray for them regularly.
ETERNITY
When our life in this world ends in death, though the body decays in the ground, our soul goes immediately into the presence of the Lord in heaven, there to await the resurrection of the body at the last day. The souls of the wicked, however, are immediately cast into hell to experience the torments and pains of that dread place.
On the last day, when Jesus comes again to judge all mankind, he will render to each man what he deserves. To those who have believed on his name, he will give the fullness of their salvation and the reward of their inheritance, including eternal life, joy, peace, righteousness, and an end to all suffering.
To those who remained outside the covenant of grace because of their refusal to believe, he will give the full fruition of their damnation, casting them finally into hell, where in both body and soul they will remain with the devil and his angels throughout eternity, with no hope of escape.
There is no other place than these two for mankind after death and the judgment. Since no one knows when that last day shall come, each of us should make our calling and election sure and wait patiently for his return.
To God be the glory!
If you would like to learn more about our faith, please contact us to schedule a visit from our pastor, or simply come to our services on Sundays and see our faith in action!