Statement of Faith What We Believe

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. The Bible is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice, being God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

The Scriptures are sufficient to make us wise unto salvation and to thoroughly equip us for every good work. We reject any claim that additional revelation, whether by tradition, prophecy, or experience, can add to or supersede the written Word of God.

Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; Isaiah 8:20; Psalm 119:105

We believe there is but one living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute.

In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-3; John 15:26

We believe that God, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass. Yet He is not the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away.

By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death. This doctrine is to be handled with special prudence and care, bringing comfort to the elect and a warning to all men.

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:4-11; Romans 9:11-23; Acts 4:27-28; Proverbs 16:33; James 1:13

We believe that in the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.

God created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness after His own image, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, yet under a possibility of transgressing.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1-31; John 1:2-3; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 7:29

We believe God the great Creator of all things upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest to the least, by His most wise and holy providence. He preserves and governs all His creatures and all their actions according to His infallible foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of His own will.

God's providence extends even to the first fall and all other sins of angels and men, yet in such a manner that the sinfulness thereof proceeds only from the creature and not from God, who is neither the author nor approver of sin.

Scripture References: Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalm 135:6; Acts 17:25-28; Proverbs 16:33; Matthew 10:29-31

We believe our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.

They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation. From this original corruption we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil. This is what is called original sin.

Scripture References: Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:10-18; Psalm 51:5; Romans 8:7-8

We believe the distance between God and the creature is so great that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He has been pleased to express by way of covenant.

The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace, whereby He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ.

Scripture References: Genesis 2:16-17; Galatians 3:10; Romans 5:12-21; Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 9:15-22; Luke 22:20

We believe it pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only-begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King; Head and Savior of the Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world.

The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature, so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion.

Scripture References: 1 Timothy 2:5; Isaiah 42:1; John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrews 2:14-17; Colossians 2:9

We believe God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil. Man in his state of innocency had freedom and power to will and do that which was good and well-pleasing to God, yet mutably, so that he might fall from it.

Man by his fall into a state of sin has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation. As a natural man being altogether averse from good and dead in sin, he is not able by his own strength to convert himself or to prepare himself thereunto. Only when God converts a sinner and translates him into the state of grace does He free him from his natural bondage under sin.

Scripture References: Matthew 17:12; James 1:14; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:6; John 15:5; Romans 8:7; Ephesians 2:5

We believe all those whom God has predestinated unto life, He is pleased, in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call by His Word and Spirit out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ. He enlightens their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone and giving unto them a heart of flesh.

This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.

Scripture References: Romans 8:30; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:17-19; Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 6:37

We believe those whom God effectually calls He also freely justifies. He does not justify them by infusing righteousness into them but by pardoning their sins and accounting and accepting their persons as righteous. This is done not for anything wrought in them or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone.

The righteousness imputed to us is the active and passive obedience of Christ as our whole and sole righteousness by faith. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.

Scripture References: Romans 8:30; Romans 3:24; Romans 4:5-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Romans 5:17-19; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9

We believe all those that are justified, God grants in and for His only Son Jesus Christ to make partakers of the grace of adoption. By this they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them, receive the Spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness.

As adopted children, believers are enabled to cry, "Abba, Father." They are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but are sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 8:17; John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Hebrews 12:6; Ephesians 4:30

We believe those who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified really and personally through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them. The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified.

This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life. There abides still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. In this war, although the remaining corruption may much prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 6:11; Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5-6, 14; Galatians 5:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 1:10; Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:23

We believe the grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein.

The principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong, and may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory, growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ.

Scripture References: Hebrews 10:39; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:14, 17; John 4:42; Acts 24:14; John 1:12; Acts 15:11; Galatians 2:20

We believe repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, whereby a person being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, by faith in Christ humbles himself for it with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God in all the ways of His commandments.

This repentance is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, along with faith in Christ. There is no sin so small but it deserves damnation, and there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. We ought not to rest content with general repentance, but it is every person's duty to endeavor to repent of each particular sin particularly.

Scripture References: Acts 11:18; Zechariah 12:10; Ezekiel 36:31; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Psalm 119:6, 128; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 1:16-18; Isaiah 55:7

We believe good works are only such as God has commanded in His holy Word, and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal or upon any pretense of good intention. Good works done in obedience to God's commandments are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith, and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, and adorn the profession of the Gospel.

Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. Yet good works cannot put away the guilt of our sins or endure the severity of God's judgment. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God by reason of the great disproportion between them and the glory to come.

Scripture References: Micah 6:8; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 13:21; James 2:18, 22; Philippians 2:13; John 15:4-5; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:18

We believe those whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved. This perseverance depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election.

Nevertheless true believers may, through the temptations of Satan and the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins and for a time continue therein. They hereby incur God's displeasure and grieve His Holy Spirit; they have their graces and comforts impaired; yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance and preserved through faith unto salvation.

Scripture References: Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 10:28-29; 1 John 2:19; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:14; Matthew 26:70-74; Psalm 51:10-12; Luke 22:32, 61-62

We believe that such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus and love Him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before Him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.

This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God. This assurance may be shaken, diminished, or intermitted, yet true believers will never be utterly destitute of that seed of God and life of faith.

Scripture References: 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:2, 5; Hebrews 6:11, 17-19; 2 Peter 1:4-5, 10-11; Romans 8:15-16; 1 John 3:9

We believe God gave to Adam a law as a covenant of works by which He bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness and as such was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai in ten commandments. The moral law forever binds all, justified persons as well as others, to the obedience thereof.

Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned, yet it is of great use to them, being a rule of life informing them of the will of God and their duty, directing and binding them to walk accordingly. The uses of the law are not contrary to the grace of the Gospel but do sweetly comply with it, as the Spirit of Christ subdues and enables the will of man to freely and cheerfully do what the will of God requires.

Scripture References: Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-14; Romans 10:5; Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 5:17-19; James 2:8, 10-12; Romans 6:14; Galatians 3:13; Romans 7:12; Psalm 119:4-6; Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:14

We believe the covenant of works being broken by sin and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect and begetting in them faith and repentance. In this promise, the Gospel in its substance was revealed and was therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.

This promise of Christ and salvation by Him is revealed only in the Word of God. It is to be preached to all nations without exception, calling upon them to believe the truth with assurance of welcome if they come unto Christ. Although none can come to Christ unless the Father draw them, and though no man is capable of coming to Christ unless effectually called, yet all who hear the Gospel are commanded to repent and believe, and it is sinful for them to refuse.

Scripture References: Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8; Romans 1:16-17; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; John 3:16; John 6:44; John 15:16; Acts 17:30; John 12:48

We believe the liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law, and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, and the victory of the grave.

God alone is Lord of the conscience and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to His Word or beside it in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such doctrines or to obey such commandments out of conscience is to betray true liberty of conscience. Yet Christian liberty is not intended by God to destroy civil or ecclesiastical order, nor should it be made a cloak for maliciousness.

Scripture References: Galatians 3:13; Galatians 1:4; Romans 6:14; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Matthew 23:8-10; 1 Peter 2:13-16; Galatians 5:13

We believe the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by Himself and so limited by His own revealed will that He may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture. Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to Him alone.

Prayer with thanksgiving is one special part of religious worship and is required by God of all men. Reading of the Scriptures, sound preaching, conscientious hearing of the Word in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence; singing of psalms and hymns; and proper administration and worthy receiving of the ordinances instituted by Christ are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 12:32; Matthew 15:9; Exodus 20:4-6; Matthew 4:9-10; John 4:23-24; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1; Acts 15:21; 2 Timothy 4:2; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

We believe a lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein upon just occasion the person swearing solemnly calls God to witness what he asserts or promises, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears. Whosoever takes an oath ought to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully persuaded is the truth.

A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath and ought to be made with the like religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulness. A vow is not to be made to any creature but to God alone, and is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness. No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or what would hinder any duty commanded therein.

Scripture References: Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 10:20; 2 Chronicles 6:22-23; Isaiah 65:16; Hebrews 6:16; Jeremiah 4:2; Psalm 76:11; Genesis 28:20-22; Isaiah 19:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Numbers 30:2; Matthew 19:11; Acts 23:12, 14

We believe God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under Him over the people for His own glory and the public good. For this purpose He has armed them with the power of the sword for the defense and encouragement of those who are good and for the punishment of evildoers.

It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of magistrate when called thereunto. In the management thereof they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honor their persons, to pay them tribute and other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority for conscience's sake, while always remembering that God alone is Lord of the conscience.

Scripture References: Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Proverbs 8:15-16; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 82:3-4; Romans 13:1-2, 5-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:17; Titus 3:1; Acts 5:29

We believe marriage is to be between one man and one woman, neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with legitimate offspring and of the Church with a holy seed, and for preventing of uncleanness.

Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden in the Word. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgment to give their consent. Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord, and therefore those who profess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, papists, or other idolaters, neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked by marrying with those who are notoriously wicked.

Scripture References: Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Malachi 2:15; Proverbs 2:17; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9; Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Leviticus 18:6-18; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Nehemiah 13:25-27

We believe the catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel, consists of all those throughout the world who profess the true religion, together with their children.

Unto this catholic visible Church, Christ has given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God for the gathering and perfecting of the saints in this life to the end of the world, and does by His own presence and Spirit make them effectual thereunto. A particular church gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ consists of officers and members united according to His appointment.

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:10, 22-23; Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Isaiah 59:21; Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13

We believe all saints that are united to Jesus Christ their Head by His Spirit and by faith have fellowship with Him in His graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory. Being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification, as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities and necessities. This communion, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

Scripture References: 1 John 1:3; Ephesians 3:16-19; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5-6; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 John 1:7; Galatians 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 11:29-30

We believe the bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption, but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies.

The souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.

Scripture References: Genesis 3:19; Acts 13:36; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; Hebrews 12:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6, 8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 16:23-24; Jude 6-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53; Job 19:26-27; John 5:28-29

We believe God has appointed a day wherein He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect and of His justice in the damnation of the reprobate who are wicked and disobedient. Then shall the righteous go into everlasting life and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord; but the wicked who know not God and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be cast into eternal torments and punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

Scripture References: Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16; Romans 9:22-23; Matthew 25:21, 31-46; Acts 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Mark 9:48