Statement of Faith

The purpose of a Statement of Faith (SoF) is to present a summary of Biblical truths that are essential and vital to the Christian faith. There have been many such statements throughout Church history. Examples are the Apostles Creed, and the Nicene Creed. This statement is intended to declare simply the basic truths of Christianity. As a person is coming to faith in Christ, he or she will recognize and grow in trust and understanding of the truths concerning God, Scripture, Humanity, the Work of God in salvation, and the Response and Benefits to what God has done.

(All explanatory texts are from the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise noted.)

Scripture:
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. – Matt. 18:3-4

But Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. – Matt. 19:14

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Rom. 10:9-10

God’s Word (the 66 books of the Holy Bible)is the exclusive source in all matters of faith and godliness. It is the only and authoritative source of God’s special revelation. The Scripture is inspired by God and was written by men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. As God’s Word, Scripture is inerrant, infallible, and authoritative, and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, that God’s people would be complete, equipped for every good work. Most importantly, the scriptures testify of Jesus Christ.

Scripture:
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Tim. 1:14

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  2 Tim. 3:16-17

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Heb. 4:12

For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:11

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Ptr. 1:3

No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Ptr. 1:20-21

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. Jn. 5:39

There is only one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. God is the creator of all that exists and has created all things for His glory.

Scripture:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.Deut. 6:4

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Is. 44:6

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God but one. 1 Cor. 8:4

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Gen. 1:1

Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Gen. 1:26

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Jn. 1:1-3

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance [effulgence] of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Heb. 1:1-4

There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:26-27

…giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. Col. 1:12-16

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. Jn. 1:18 (ASV)

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am, ye shall die in your sins. Jn. 8:24 (ASV)

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad. So the Jews said to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. Jn. 8:56-58

From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am. Jn.13:19 (ASV)

Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? Jn. 14:9

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.  Matt. 28:19<

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Heb. 11:3

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Rev. 4:11

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim. 1:17

All people are created in the image of God, exist for God’s glory, and are meant to be in relationship with God. Because of Adam’s fall into sin, all people are sinful by nature and sin by choice. Our physical body and spirit are subject to the disastrous effects of the fall. Without the gracious work of God, all people would remain spiritually dead (i.e. despising God’s kindness, mercy, and righteous standards) and would be deserving of God’s wrath and condemnation. Our spirits are immortal (whether spiritually unresponsive to God, or regenerate) and our spiritual health is most important to us, because our spirit is essentially who we are, and its relationship to God will determine our eternal destiny.

Scripture:
 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Gen. 1:26-27

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23

…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. Is. 43:7

So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God Eph. 2:19

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Heb. 2:10

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. Jn. 4:24

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Gen. 3:6-7

When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. Gen. 5:3

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  1 Cor. 15:22

…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Rom. 3:23-24

Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned… Rom. 5:12

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Rom. 8:7

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; Rom. 1:18

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Eph. 5:6

And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. Rom. 5:16

Although all people are deserving of God’s just condemnation and wrath, God in mercy and love has revealed the only way a person can be forgiven and reconciled to Himself. A sinless person with infinite value and merit was appointed to take upon Himself the obligations of the law on behalf of, and sins of, those who believe on Him. His name is Jesus. He is the Christ, the second person of the godhead. He left the glories in heaven to become a man. And as fully God and fully man, He fulfilled the law of God, was crucified in the place of sinners, died, was buried, rose from the dead for our justification, revealed the Father, and ascended to the right hand of God, and ever lives to make intercession for his own. God Himself draws sinners to Christ for salvation, and will keep them by the Spirit until the day of Christ’s return, and forever more.

Scripture:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved… Eph. 2:1-5

But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus. Rom. 3:21-26

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. Rom. 1:20

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. Jn. 3:16

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Jn. 6:38-40

…it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ. Acts 17:3

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Rom. 10:4

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Lk. 24:45-47

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor. 5:21

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Jn. 1:1-3

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Heb. 2:14-18

…he said above, You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings (these are offered according to the law), then he added, Behold, I have come to do your will. He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Heb. 10:8-14

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. Jn. 19:40-42

That is why his faith was counted to him as righteousness. But the words It was counted to him were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Rom. 4:22-25

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1:1

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Rom. 8:34

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25

No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. Jn. 6:44

I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Lk. 5:32

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. Jn. 10:27-30

…to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, – in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:12-14

…and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:6-7

And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. Jn. 3:13-17

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:1-4

In response to God drawing a person to Christ, he or she is to exercise the faith freely given by God: that God will forgive and receive any sinner who trusts solely in the person and work of Christ (faith) as evidenced by his or her turning from sin to obedience to God (repentance). God rewards those who seek Him: inviting fellowship with Himself; adopting into His family those who by faith embrace Christ as Savior and Lord; hearing our prayers and the intercessions of Christ; sealing and indwelling believers by the Spirit; granting God’s peace; prospering the spiritual well-being of each believer; and granting eternal life in His very presence. Reverently, the love of God is our possession and our comfort now and forever.

Scripture:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:8-10

…testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jn. 6:29

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. Jn. 6:37

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light Matt. 11:27-30

Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Is. 55:6-7

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jer. 29:13

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Heb. 11:6

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life–the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 Jn. 1:1

…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Gal. 3:26

For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom. 8:15

…having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, – Eph. 1:5