Our Doctrine

We teach that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (The Canon) are inspired by God and, therefore, they are authoritative, inerrant, infallible, clear, applicable, and sufficient.

We teach the grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture, which affirms that, although there may be several applications of a passage, there is but one true interpretation. We consider historical context, biblical context, grammatical structure, and the semantics of words in each passage to understand the author's intended meaning.

Nehemiah 8:8, Psalm 19, Psalm 119, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Revelation 22:18-19

We teach the doctrine of the Trinity. God is one in essence, eternally existing in three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We teach that God reveals Himself to us through His Word. Although He is in one sense incomprehensible, He can be sufficiently understood and worshipped.

We teach the divine perfections (attributes) of God. He the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the sovereign King over heaven and earth. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. He is unchangeable and independent. He is eternal and glorious. He is holy, righteous, good, love, merciful, gracious, faithful, truthful and wise. There is more to learn about God, as He has revealed Himself to us through His Word.

Exodus 34:6-7, Deuteronomy 6:4, Psalm 139, Isaiah 40, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 John 4:8

We teach that Jesus Christ is God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit. He is the uncreated Son of God, who has eternally existed with the Father and the Spirit before all things.

We teach that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, took on human flesh, and thereafter possesses two natures in one person: truly God and truly man.

We teach that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, rose physically from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven. He will return to earth to reign over all the earth.

Therefore, He is the sole object of our faith, the fulfillment of Scripture, the only Savior and Mediator between God and Men, and the Lord of His church. He is our perfect prophet, priest, and King.

Psalm 110, Isaiah 53, John 1:1-3, 14, Romans 5, Colossians 1:15-23, Hebrews 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Revelation 1

We teach that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. He is personal, not an impersonal force, possessing intellect, will, and affections.

We teach that the Holy Spirit both inspired the Scriptures and now illumines the minds and hearts of people to spiritually understand them. He convicts the world with the truth, and He guides believers into the truth.

We teach that the Holy Spirit is the sovereign agent of regeneration, uniting believers to Christ in baptism. He indwells, sanctifies, seals, and empowers believers to live godly lives unto glory.

We teach that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers for the purpose of serving the church. A few gifts were foundational in the Apostolic Age (such as tongues, prophecy, healing, and revelatory miracles) and are not ordinarily active today. The majority of spiritual gifts are still active today for the building up of Christ's church (mercy, serving, leadership, teaching, evangelism, pastor-teacher, generosity, administration, exhortation, hospitality, and more).

Matthew 28:19, John 16:5-15, Acts 5:3-4, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 12, 13:8-13, Galatians 5:16, 22-25, Titus 3:5

We teach that God created humanity in his own image and likeness, as male and female, with equal dignity and worth. Therefore, we teach the sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural death. Each person is composed of both a material body and an immaterial soul.

We teach that God’s design is good: he created only two genders—male and female—equal in value yet distinct biologically and in role. Marriage is the lifelong covenant union between one man and one woman.

We teach that although humanity was created good, Adam sinned, and through his sin all of creation came under the curse. Sin entered the world through Adam, and death entered through sin, and so death spread to all because all sinned.

We teach that all people are born with a sinful nature, inclined to reject God's design and disobey His commands. We therefore need a Savior outside of ourselves, because by nature we are not good and cannot save ourselves.

Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 3, Psalm 51:5, 139, Isaiah 53:6, 64:6, Matthew 19:4-6, Romans 3:10-18, 5:12

We teach that salvation is a gracious work of God, accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ and applied by the Holy Spirit, so that sinners who deserve judgment are rescued, forgiven, and granted everlasting life.

We teach that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and not on the basis of any human merit, works, or self-righteousness. Jesus Christ lived a life of perfect obedience, and died on the cross as our substitutionary sacrifice, and rose victoriously from the dead; in this "great exchange" God "made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21 - LSB Version).

We teach that the Holy Spirit regenerates the heart, granting new birth and conversion, uniting us to Christ, and making us new creations. Faith and repentance are distinct gifts of grace, yet inseparable and both present in all whom God saves at conversion.

We teach that God keeps those whom He saves, so that true believers are secure in Christ, will be sanctified in this life, and glorified in the life to come.

Genesis 15:6, Isaiah 53:4-6, John 3:16, Romans 3:21-26, 8:28-30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:4-9, Titus 3:4-7

We teach that the church is the one spiritual body, building, and bride of Jesus Christ, in which all who believe in Him in this present age are joined together. Although all believers are united to one another by faith in Christ despite geographical or language barriers, they gather to worship Christ in local churches that reflect their local geography and language.

We teach that each local church is self‑governed under Christ and exists to glorify Him through the ministry of the Word, prayer, fellowship, preaching the gospel, and making disciples of all nations.

We teach that the Holy Spirit, through the laying on of hands, appoints qualified elders to lead the church and qualified deacons to serve the church as assistants to the elders.

We teach that God supplies every believer with spiritual gifts for the good and growth of the church, and that the authenticating sign gifts (such as tongues, prophecy, miracles, and healing) ceased once the apostolic foundation of the church was laid.

We teach that Christ has given two ordinances to His church—baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is a public sign of regeneration and union with Christ and His church. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial meal for the church to regularly remember the Lord’s sacrificial death until He comes.

Matthew 16:18, 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-13

We teach that angels are distinct creatures of God, made to worship and serve Him. All were originally created good, but some corrupted and fell with Satan in his rebellion: demons and/or evil spirits.

Satan was a magnificent angel that pridefully tried to usurp his Creator. God cast him down, with his angelic-followers, to the earth where he tempted man to sin and brought evil to this world. He continues to prowl around this earth, looking for people to deceive and devour.

Jesus Christ is the promised seed who will have a final and decisive victory over Satan. He crushed the power of Satan's influence in His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, and He will finally remove the presence of Satan from the earth on the final day of judgment.

Genesis 3:15, Ezekiel 28:11-19, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:7-9, 20:7-10

We teach that history is moving toward the personal, visible, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. At His coming, Christ will vindicate His people, defeat all His enemies, and bring to completion all the prophetic and covenant promises.

In this age Jews and Gentiles who trust in Christ are united in one body and share spiritual blessings promised to Abraham. At the same time, God preserves a glorious future salvation and restoration for ethnic Israel according to His covenant faithfulness.

We teach that while Christ’s kingdom has been inaugurated in his first advent and ascension to the right hand of the Father, the fullness of His reign on earth will begin when He returns and sits on His glorious throne.

We teach this summarized chronology of future eschatological events: the rapture of the church, a seven‑year tribulation, the return of Christ, His millennial kingdom, the great white throne judgment, and the new heavens and new earth.

Genesis 17:7-9, Jeremiah 33:14-18, Daniel 7:13-14, 9:24-27, Matthew 24-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 19-22