A Scripture-Governed Statement of Faith

The Scriptures—not this summary—are the final authority. Every statement below must be tested by the whole counsel of Scripture and corrected wherever it says more or less than Scripture says.

1. The Scriptures

We receive the writings from Genesis through Revelation as God-breathed Scripture, written through human authors carried along by the Holy Spirit. Scripture cannot be broken and is able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work. Therefore, all teaching must be tested by Scripture, interpreting each passage according to its context and in harmony with the whole biblical testimony, without adding to or subtracting from God’s words.

Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5–6; John 10:35; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Revelation 22:18–19.

2. The One God

There is one God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He alone is God, and there is no other. He is holy, righteous, merciful, faithful, and true. All things are from him, depend upon him, and exist for his glory.

Scripture declares “one God, the Father, from whom are all things,” and “one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things.” Scripture also testifies that the Word was with God, the Word was God, all things came into being through him, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We receive these declarations in their scriptural language without imposing later philosophical formulations upon them.

Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:6, 14–15; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5–6; John 1:1–3, 14; Acts 17:24–31; 1 Corinthians 8:4–6; Revelation 4:11.

3. Creation and Humanity’s Vocation

God created the heavens and the earth, and everything he made was very good. He created humanity male and female in his image, blessed them, and commanded them to be fruitful, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over its creatures under his authority. God placed the man in the garden to serve and guard it.

Humanity was therefore created for embodied life upon God’s earth, to represent his rule, cultivate his creation, live in fellowship with him, and obey his word.

Genesis 1:26–31; 2:7–25; Psalm 8:3–9; 24:1; 115:16.

4. Human Rebellion, Sin, and Death

The serpent deceived the woman, and the man and woman disobeyed God’s command. Because of their rebellion, they were expelled from the garden and barred from the tree of life. Sin entered the world through one man, death entered through sin, and death spread to all because all sinned.

All humanity is accountable to God. No person can overcome sin and death through personal merit. Creation itself was subjected to futility and awaits liberation from corruption.

Genesis 3:1–24; Psalm 49:7–9; Romans 3:9–23; 5:12–21; 6:23; 8:19–23.

5. God’s Covenants and Promises

God did not abandon his creation or surrender his purpose for humanity.

• God covenanted with Noah to preserve the earth and its living creatures.
• God promised Abraham offspring, a nation, the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and blessing through his offspring for all the families of the earth.
• God covenanted with Israel at Sinai, making Israel his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. He gave Israel his commandments and set before the nation covenant blessings and curses.
• God swore to David that his offspring would possess an enduring kingdom, house, and throne.
• God promised a new covenant with the houses of Israel and Judah, including forgiveness of sins, his instruction written upon their hearts, the gift of his Spirit, and restored obedience.
• Jesus declared that the new covenant was established through his blood.

God does not lie, forget his oaths, or revoke his calling. His covenants must be understood according to their stated recipients, promises, conditions, and purposes.

Genesis 8:20–9:17; 12:1–3; 15:1–21; 17:1–8; 22:15–18; Exodus 19:3–6; 24:3–8; Deuteronomy 28–30; 2 Samuel 7:8–16; Psalm 89:3–4, 28–37; Jeremiah 31:31–37; Ezekiel 36:22–28; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 6:13–18.

6. Jesus the Messiah

Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the offspring of Abraham, and the Son of David destined to receive David’s throne. He was conceived through the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, came in the flesh, grew in wisdom, and was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power.

He was tempted but did not sin. He is the one mediator between God and humanity, “the man Christ Jesus.” He is the prophet like Moses, God’s faithful servant, Israel’s King, and the promised ruler whose dominion will reach the ends of the earth.

Deuteronomy 18:15–19; 2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–10; Matthew 1:1, 18–25; 16:16; Luke 1:31–35; 2:52; Acts 2:22; 3:22–26; 10:38; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 4:2.

7. The Ministry, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus proclaimed the good news of God’s kingdom, called people to repentance, taught with authority, healed the sick, expelled demons, forgave sins, and performed the works God gave him to accomplish. He confirmed God’s promises to the patriarchs and opened the way for the nations to glorify God for his mercy.

Jesus willingly gave himself for us. He died for our sins according to the Scriptures, gave his life as a ransom for many, bore our sins, and established the new covenant through his blood. He was buried, and on the third day God raised him bodily from the dead. He appeared to many witnesses and became the firstfruits of those who have died.

God exalted Jesus to his right hand and made him both Lord and Messiah. He reigns there until every enemy is placed beneath his feet, the last enemy being death.

Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Mark 1:14–15; 10:45; Luke 22:20; 24:36–49; John 5:36; Acts 2:22–36; Romans 15:8–12; 1 Corinthians 15:1–28; 1 Peter 2:21–24.

8. The Gospel and the Human Response

The gospel is the good news that God’s promised kingdom has drawn near through Jesus the Messiah: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was raised from the dead, has been exalted as Lord and King, and will return to judge and reign.

God commands all people to repent. The apostolic response to the gospel includes hearing, believing that Jesus is the Messiah, repenting, confessing him as Lord, and being baptized in his name. Those who believe receive forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of resurrection and everlasting life.

Salvation is God’s gift of grace and cannot be earned by human works. This grace does not excuse disobedience; it creates a people who walk in the good works God prepared for them.

Mark 1:14–15; Luke 24:46–49; Acts 2:36–39; 8:12; 10:34–48; 17:30–31; Romans 3:21–26; 6:1–11; 10:8–13; 1 Corinthians 15:1–5; Galatians 1:6–9; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 2:11–14.

9. The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit promised by the prophets is poured out by God through the exalted Messiah. The Spirit dwells in believers, leads them in obedience, testifies that they are God’s children, produces righteous fruit, distributes gifts for the common good, and empowers the assembly to bear witness to Jesus.

The Spirit is the firstfruits and guarantee of the promised inheritance. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to the mortal bodies of his people through his Spirit.

Joel 2:28–32; Ezekiel 36:25–28; Acts 1:8; 2:16–18, 32–39; Romans 8:9–17, 23; 1 Corinthians 12:4–13; Galatians 5:16–25; Ephesians 1:13–14.

10. Israel and the Nations

God chose Israel, and to Israel belong the adoption, glory, covenants, giving of the Law, worship, promises, patriarchs, and the Messiah according to the flesh. Jesus became a servant to the circumcised to confirm God’s promises to the fathers, while the nations glorify God for his mercy.

Through faith in the Messiah, Gentiles who were once far away are brought near, become fellow heirs, and are grafted among the covenant people. They must not boast against the natural branches. God has not rejected the people whom he foreknew, and his gifts and calling are irrevocable.

God’s purpose is to unite Jews and Gentiles in faithfulness to the Messiah while remaining true to every covenant promise he has made.

Genesis 12:1–3; Isaiah 49:5–6; Romans 9:3–5; 11:1–29; 15:8–12; Galatians 3:7–9, 26–29; Ephesians 2:11–22; 3:4–6.

11. The Assembly of the Messiah

Jesus is the head of his assembly, and his followers together form one body. The assembly is called to continue in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, mutual service, holiness, generosity, and care for those in need.

Believers are baptized into the Messiah and identify with his death, burial, and resurrection. In the Lord’s Supper, the assembly remembers Jesus and proclaims his death until he returns. Every gift is to be exercised in love for the building up of the body.

The assembly must proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, make disciples among all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

Matthew 16:18; 28:18–20; Acts 2:38–47; Romans 6:3–11; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:23–26; 12:12–27; 13:1–13; Ephesians 4:1–16; Colossians 1:18.

12. Faithful Discipleship

Those who love God and his Messiah are called to obey their commandments. Genuine faith expresses itself through love and produces good works; faith without works is dead.

Disciples of Jesus must love God, love their neighbors, love one another, and love their enemies. They are called to walk by the Spirit, speak truth, pursue holiness, practice justice and mercy, care for the poor, forgive others, remain faithful in marriage, reject sexual immorality, and overcome evil with good.

Obedience is not the price paid to purchase salvation; it is the necessary fruit of living faith and God’s transforming grace.

Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:43–48; 22:34–40; John 13:34–35; 14:15; Romans 12:1–21; 13:8–10; Galatians 5:6, 13–25; Ephesians 4:17–5:21; James 1:22–27; 2:14–26.

13. The Return of Jesus, Resurrection, and Judgment

The same Jesus who ascended into heaven will return in the manner in which he departed. His coming will be visible, powerful, and glorious. He will raise the dead, gather his people, judge the nations, and establish righteous rule.

There will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Those who belong to the Messiah will be raised imperishable and share in his kingdom. All people will stand before God’s judgment, and judgment will be rendered according to what is written. Satan will be defeated, and death—the final enemy—will be abolished. The lake of fire is identified as the second death.

Daniel 7:13–14; 12:2; Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Acts 1:9–11; 17:30–31; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, 35–55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 1:7; 19:11–20:15.

14. The Restoration of All Things

Our final hope is not the abandonment of the earth or an everlasting disembodied existence. God has promised the liberation of creation, the resurrection of the body, and new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The holy city, New Jerusalem, descends from heaven to earth. God’s dwelling is with humanity. Death, mourning, crying, pain, and the curse will be no more. The river of life and tree of life appear again, God’s servants see his face, and they reign forever. The nations walk by the city’s light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it.

Thus the biblical story ends with the fulfillment of humanity’s original calling: redeemed people dwelling with God, possessing immortal embodied life, serving him, and reigning within his restored creation under Jesus the Messiah.

Isaiah 11:1–10; 65:17–25; Acts 3:19–21; Romans 8:18–25; 1 Corinthians 15:50–55; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1–22:5.

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’”
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
—Revelation 22:17, 20