The Bible is True.
After Jesus rose from the dead he met some men on a road who were awestruck about the events that were transpiring. As Jesus talked with them he helped them understand that everything in the scriptures is about him (Luke 24:27 and 24:44). What is true of the bible is true about life – everything is meant to point to Jesus! “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever!.”
In short, we believe nothing is more important than God. This God is the one who’s revealed himself in the Bible, His word, as Father, Son, and Spirit. In rebellion, mankind despised and rejected him as we tried to set ourselves up as supreme rulers of our own lives. Destruction ensued. In love, the eternal Son, Jesus Christ, took on human flesh and came to save people who are in the grips of evil under the wrath of God. The greatest display of love the world could ever know was seen on the cross, a Roman torture device, 2,000 years ago where Jesus died for our sins.
We believe the gospel, the good news of God’s saving work in and through the person of Jesus, changes everything!
We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Nothing a person does merits, warrants, or contributes to God’s saving work in us. Salvation is solely and completely a gracious act of God. (Psalm 37:39, 62:7; Isaiah 43:11, 45:21; Jeremiah 3:23; Hosea 13:4; Jonah 2:9; Revelation 7:10, 19:1)
Grace Alone – Grace is “one way love.” Some picture salvation (being saved from sin, Satan, and death) as a cooperation between God and man, like a lifeguard throwing a line to a drowning swimmer and the swimmer reaching back to take the line. Salvation by grace alone means there is nothing man can do to save himself. The portrait of salvation by grace is of the lifeguard jumping in the pool, throwing his arms around a lifeless body, and pulling to safety the drowning swimmer. (Ephesians 2:4-10; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Titus 3:5-7)
Faith Alone – Faith is a gift of God to the sinner that is composed of head, heart, and will, with its object being Jesus Christ. Faith is trust in the accomplished work of Jesus to save sinners. Faith means accepting, receiving, and resting in the complete work of Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26, 4:3-8, 22-25, 5:1-2; Galatians 2:15-16, 3:6-11, 3:24; Ephesians 2:8)
Jesus Christ Alone – In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus Christ gives to sinners His perfect standing before God, takes their sins upon Himself, and vindicates all God’s promises of victory over sin, Satan, and death. (John 14:6; Romans 5:8-11, 15-17, 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:13-18; Colossians 1:13-20; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; Titus 3:6; Hebrews 1, 2:17, 9:11-28, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:18-21, 2:24-25; 1 John 1:7, 2:1-2, 4:14-15, 5:1, 5-13)
Scripture Alone – When the Bible speaks, God speaks. The Bible is God’s revelation to us. As his unerring, inspired word, it alone is our highest source of authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
God’s Glory Alone – God’s glory is the display of His infinite worth and beauty in the world. Life is not ultimately about us, but about Him. Everything in this world is being orchestrated by God for the express purpose of bringing Him glory. (Romans 11:36; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:18; 1 Peter 4:11; Jude 25; Revelation 1:6, 7:12)