THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

We affirm the following central truths of the historic orthodox Christian faith:

Concerning God

There is one God, creator of heaven and earth, eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19

Concerning the Father

God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good: He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.

Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4

Concerning the Son, Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is completely human, but at the same time completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are enemies of God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life. Jesus will one day return again.

Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16

Concerning the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit’s presence seals our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth, and exalts Christ. He serves as our guide, comforter, counselor, and empowers us to live a godly life.

Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17

Concerning Humans

Humans are the supreme object of God’s creation, possessing both a physical (mind, body) and spiritual (soul) nature. Men and women are created in the masculine and feminine image of God and, therefore, have intrinsic value. Mankind was created to have fellowship with God, but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, humans cannot attain a right relationship with God through their own effort.

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11

Concerning Sin

Sin is the rejection of God, His plan or His purposes. Sin first entered the world through Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God. The payment for sin, no matter how mundane or seemingly insignificant, is physical and spiritual death. The presence of sin makes it impossible to have the relationship we were created to have with God, one another, ourselves and creation.

Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 1:4-6; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-10, 23; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Colossians 1:21; James 2:10-11; James 4:17; 1 John 1:8-10; 1 John3:4; 1 John 5:17

Concerning Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to man. No amount of good works can ever make up for man’s sin. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be freed from sin’s penalty. Through faith in Jesus, we are saved into a Kingdom, a family of believers and into a right relationship with God.

Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

Concerning the Kingdom of God

Jesus Christ came to announce the availability and presence of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the realm in which God’s will and reign breaks forth. The Kingdom of God is both "already" and "not yet". "Already" in that God’s accomplishes His will in us and through us. "Not yet" because one day, God will establish a new heaven and new earth. On that day we will fully experience the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 26:29; Mark 1:15; Mark 9:1; Mark 12:34; Luke 4:43; Luke 6:23; Luke 9:2; Luke 11:2; Luke 11:20; Luke 14:15; Acts 19:8; Acts 28:31; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:10

Concerning Human Destiny

Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.

John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

Concerning the Word of God

The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth and is authoritative in our daily lives.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16

Concerning the Church

The church is the community of believers unified through faith in Christ. The church is built by Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and directed by The Father. Like Jesus Christ, the church embodies communion, unity and mission. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3)