Statement of Faith (2008)
Click on the link above to access a pdf file of our Statement of Faith
Note: Currently, our church holds to the 2008 version of the EFCA Statement of Faith.
In June of 2019, the EFCA made a change to the Statement of Faith (See #9 Christ's Return below).
Our church is in the process of considering whether or not to adopt this change as well.
Sound Doctrine, Church Unity and the Gospel
Click on the link above to hear a message that explains how we as a church seek to know and love God
through our faithfulness to & unity in the gospel, amidst our differences on secondary doctrinal issues.
Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Click on the link above to access detailed notes (pdf file) with Scripture references
regarding all 10 points of our Statement of Faith which are listed below
Click on the link above to access a pdf file of our Statement of Faith
Note: Currently, our church holds to the 2008 version of the EFCA Statement of Faith.
In June of 2019, the EFCA made a change to the Statement of Faith (See #9 Christ's Return below).
Our church is in the process of considering whether or not to adopt this change as well.
Sound Doctrine, Church Unity and the Gospel
Click on the link above to hear a message that explains how we as a church seek to know and love God
through our faithfulness to & unity in the gospel, amidst our differences on secondary doctrinal issues.
Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
Click on the link above to access detailed notes (pdf file) with Scripture references
regarding all 10 points of our Statement of Faith which are listed below
God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of God
To access notes (pdf file) for this sermon series, click on: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Bible (Scripture)
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Human Condition (Man & Sin)
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Jesus Christ
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Work of Christ (Cross & Resurrection)
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Church
Christian Living
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Christian Living
Christ's Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Christ's Return
Note: in June of 2019, the EFCA replaced the word "premillennial" with "glorious" so that our statement about Christ's Return now reads as follows: "We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ." The EFCA's overall focus is to emphasize the core doctrines of the gospel, while leaving secondary doctrinal issues undefined, especially those which Christians have historically disagreed upon amidst our unity in the fundamentals of the faith. This revised statement is in keeping with what Paul refers to "as of first importance" regarding the gospel message (1Corinthians 15:3), and it maintains the doctrinal importance of the Second Coming, without being too narrowly defined regarding complicated theological matters.
Response & Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Response & Eternal Destiny
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of God
To access notes (pdf file) for this sermon series, click on: Statement of Faith Sermon Notes
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Bible (Scripture)
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Human Condition (Man & Sin)
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Jesus Christ
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Work of Christ (Cross & Resurrection)
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of the Church
Christian Living
8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Christian Living
Christ's Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Christ's Return
Note: in June of 2019, the EFCA replaced the word "premillennial" with "glorious" so that our statement about Christ's Return now reads as follows: "We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ." The EFCA's overall focus is to emphasize the core doctrines of the gospel, while leaving secondary doctrinal issues undefined, especially those which Christians have historically disagreed upon amidst our unity in the fundamentals of the faith. This revised statement is in keeping with what Paul refers to "as of first importance" regarding the gospel message (1Corinthians 15:3), and it maintains the doctrinal importance of the Second Coming, without being too narrowly defined regarding complicated theological matters.
Response & Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
To access a message on this topic, click on: The Doctrine of Response & Eternal Destiny
