Statement of Faith

God of Israel

We believe in the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” He has revealed Himself as “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.” This one God is revealed in the Scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: three distinct persons, one God.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; Exodus 34:6–7; Exodus 3:6; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Scripture

We believe the Bible, the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Greek Scriptures (New Testament), is the inspired and infallible Word of God, our final authority for faith and life. We strive to interpret the Scriptures through careful study and attention to their grammatical and historical context.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 17:11.

Jesus the Messiah

We believe Jesus is the promised Messiah, fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. He is now seated at the right hand of God and will return to judge the living and the dead, establish His Kingdom, and restore all things. Salvation is found in Him alone. He calls all who believe to follow and imitate Him.

Scripture: John 1:1–14; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 3:19–21; Acts 10:42–43; 1 Peter 2:21; Acts 1:9–11; Hebrews 1:3.

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit comforts, teaches, leads, indwells, and empowers believers to live in Christ. He produces in us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We welcome His gifts and power, including signs and wonders, while seeking to walk in wisdom, humility, and accountability to Scripture.

Scripture: John 14:16–17, 26; Romans 8:9–14; Galatians 5:22–23; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; 1 Corinthians 14:26–33.

Humanity, Sin, and Justification

We believe every person is created in the image of God, yet all have sinned and fall short of His glory. Through sin, humanity is estranged from God, enslaved to sin and death, and subject to His righteous judgment. In His love, God sent His Son, Jesus the Messiah, who died for our sins and rose from the dead. Through Him, God offers forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation to all who genuinely repent and believe. Salvation is the work of God and the gift of His grace, not of ourselves and not as a result of our works. We are justified through faith and called to a life of faithful obedience.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:23–26; Romans 5:1–12; John 3:16–17; Ephesians 2:8–10; Acts 20:21.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

We believe the gospel proclaims forgiveness and new life through the cross of Christ, and the future hope of His return to establish the Kingdom of God. Until that day, we proclaim this message in word, deed, and the power of the Spirit.

Scripture: Acts 8:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Luke 19:11–15; Matthew 25:31–34; Romans 15:18–19.

The Day of the Lord and the Age to Come

We believe this present age will give way to the world to come when God decisively intervenes on the Day of the Lord. Jesus will return, raise the dead, judge humanity according to their deeds, and establish His Kingdom upon the earth, ruling from Jerusalem in righteousness, peace, and justice. We await resurrection life, the restoration of all things, and everlasting life with God upon a renewed earth.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10–13; Romans 2:6–11; Isaiah 2:2–4; Revelation 21:1–5.

Our Response

We respond to the gospel with repentance and faith in Jesus. Those who repent and believe are baptized into Christ (a burial of the old self, a cleansing bath, and a betrothal to Christ) as a serious act of obedience and union with Him in His death and resurrection.

Believers are also called to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and empowers us to follow Jesus. In this response to the gospel, God brings us into new birth and new life in Him. Salvation continues as a lifelong journey of growing in holiness as we follow Jesus and continue in faith. God is faithful to keep those who belong to Him.

Scripture: Acts 20:21; Acts 2:38–39; Romans 6:3–4; John 3:3–8; Titus 3:5–6; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 19:1–6; Hebrews 12:14; Jude 24–25.

The Commonwealth of Israel and the Covenants of Promise

We believe the Jewish people remain God’s covenantal people, though a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. Salvation for both Jew and Gentile is found only in Jesus the Messiah.

Gentile (Non-Jewish) believers, once far off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Through faith in Jesus, they are grafted into the olive tree and share in the commonwealth of Israel and the covenants of promise without replacing or becoming Israel. Through the gospel, they are co-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus.

We firmly believe that, at the end of the age, the Jewish people will turn nationally in repentance to Jesus their Messiah and be restored to Him in the promised land. Jesus will make good on every covenant promise He has made to the nation of Israel, fulfilling His promises of restoration, inheritance, and life under His reign.

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:35–37; Romans 11:17–29; Ephesians 2:11–19; Ephesians 3:6; Acts 4:12; Zechariah 12:10.

The Church and Its Mission

We believe the Body of Christ is called to love God, love one another, and make disciples of all nations. We gather for prayer and worship, teaching, fellowship, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, seeking to live as a devoted community shaped by the cross while we eagerly yearn for Jesus’ return.

Scripture: Matthew 22:37–39; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Titus 2:11–13.

Maranatha

“Behold, I am coming soon.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”

Amen.

Scripture: Revelation 22:12, 17, 20.