We believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe the Bible consists of the sixty-six books that make up the Old and New Testaments. The human writers that penned the original manuscripts were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) and wrote exactly what the Holy Spirit intended for them to write, using each of their individual personalities and writing styles (1 Corinthians 2:13). Although some of the New Testament writers were aware that they were penning Scripture (2 Peter 1:21, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13, 14:37), some writers, particularly the Old Testament prophets, communicated the words of God given to them at the time, yet did not know the fullest extent and divine meaning of how many of their prophecies would also be fulfilled in Christ (John 11:5; Matthew 22:43-44). We believe the biblical canon is closed, and that no person today receives any word from God that is on par with Scripture (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Holy Spirit does speak to believers, but He does not speak by revealing new special revelation from God on the level of Scripture, but rather by reminding believers of what God has already spoken in His Word (John 14:26). We believe the Bible presents one overarching story of the triune God redeeming a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself (Revelation 7:9-10), and that the story climaxes and culminates in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:27; 1 Peter 1:10-11) on behalf of sinners. We believe that God’s Word is sufficient: containing everything necessary for salvation (Romans 1:16, 10:17) and sanctification (John 17:17). It provides all that is needed to grow into full maturity and obedience to Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Colossians 1:28). Scripture does not need any additions or aids from man to save or to sanctify (Proverbs 30:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19).

We believe in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 45:5-7) that has eternally existed (Psalm 90:2; Romans 16:26; Revelation 22:13; John 1:1; Genesis 1:1-2) in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Spirit, with each person being fully and completely God (Ephesians 4:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19). The Triune God created all things (Genesis 1:1-2; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 2:10; Psalm 121:2), sustains all things (Psalm 104:1-35; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17), and sovereignly rules over all things (Psalm 115:3, 135:6; Ephesians 1:11; Job 42:2; Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 8:28) for His glory (Isaiah 43:7, 48:9-11; Romans 11:36; 1 Peter 4:11; John 13:31-32). We believe that each person of the Trinity plays an active role in God’s eternal plan of redemption (1 Peter 1:2).

The gospel is the good news concerning the finished work of the Trinity: The Father sends, the Son saves, and the Spirit sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2). Humanity is in sin (Romans 3:10-11, 23, 5:12), and thus justly deserving the wrath of God (Romans 1:18; John 3:36; Matthew 10:28). Sinful man is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3), morally corrupt (Romans 1:21-32), and enslaved to sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:6). Sinful humanity cannot obey God’s law (Hebrews 11:6), indeed they are hostile towards it (Romans 8:7). When the fullness of time had come (Galatians 4:4-7), according to His sovereign plan and because of his great mercy and love (Ephesians 1:3-14), the Father sent his only son to earth (Galatians 4:4-7; John 3:16). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35), born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6-7) by the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:25), and his name is Jesus. He is fully man and fully God, thereby being the mediator between God and man. Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin. He obeyed the law of God perfectly, and fulfilled all of the types, shadows, and prophecies in the law concerning the Messiah to come. He was the seed of the woman who came to crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15). He was the lamb of God who had come to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus lived the perfect life that humanity should have lived, and then willingly went to the cross and died the death that humanity deserved to die. Jesus was crucified, buried, and three days later God raised him from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This showed that, for anyone who trusted God before the cross, and anyone who trusted in Christ after the cross (Romans 3:23-26), Jesus Christ had: absorbed their punishment, satisfied God’s just wrath towards them, purchased their forgiveness, attained their righteousness and holiness, and removed the condemnation of the law against them. The Holy Spirit, according to the Sovereign love, mercy, and will of the Father (Ephesians 2:4-7; 1 Peter 1:3), causes individuals to be born again (John 3:5-8) to respond to this great gospel in repentance and faith (Mark 1:15). This faith produces works of gratitude towards God for this great salvation. We are not saved by works, but we are saved for good works (Ephesians 2:10). And the works of a believer are fruit that displays they have truly been called out of darkness and brought into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11), and not merit (2 Timothy 1:9), through faith alone (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:28, 4:3, 5, 5:1), and not works (Ephesians 2:9; Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9), in Christ alone (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), according to Scripture alone (Romans 1:16, 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Timothy 3:15), for the glory of God alone (Ephesians 1:4-6, 12, 14).

As we examine what the Bible says about baptism, there is a clear command for the church to baptize, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism identifies us with Christ. Baptism doesn’t save; it announces salvation. Baptism is an individual and public announcement. Baptism follows belief. We believe baptism is a significant act, displaying a believer’s walk with Jesus. (Acts 2:38). We invite every believer to follow the biblical command to be baptized as a symbol of Christ’s saving work. We believe baptism does not seal or secure salvation, but it is an act of obedience and a public declaration of a changed life and a decision to follow Jesus. We believe in baptism by water immersion. We do not practice infant baptism. We offer dedication services whereby a family can profess their commitment to raising their child with an understanding of the gospel. The practice of family dedication also allows the church body to make a public commitment to train up the child in the faith.