A Scripture-Governed Statement of Faith
The Scriptures—not this summary—are the final authority. Every line below is drawn from them and stands open to be tested by them, as the Bereans were “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
1. The Scriptures
We receive the writings from Genesis through Revelation as God-breathed Scripture, written through human authors. Jesus said that David spoke in the Holy Spirit, and Peter wrote that no prophecy of Scripture ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit. Scripture itself does not list its books, but Jesus spoke of what is written about him in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, and Peter set Paul’s letters alongside the other Scriptures. Scripture cannot be broken and is able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and to 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; Mark 12:36; Luke 24:44–45; John 10:35; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:1, 20–21; 3:15–16; 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, of whom are all things” and “one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things” (1 Corinthians 8:6). Scripture also testifies that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), that “All things were made through him” (John 1:3), and that “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” (John 1:14). Our conclusion is that the Word of John 1 is God’s own spoken word and purpose, the word by which he created when “God said” (Genesis 1:3) and by which “the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6), and that this word “became flesh” (John 1:14) in the man Jesus.
Our conclusion, then, is that the Bible nowhere teaches the Trinity. Scripture names one God, the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), and Jesus calls the Father “the only true God” (John 17:3). The doctrine of one God in three persons developed gradually over several centuries and was stated as one essence and three persons only later in the fourth century (Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Trinity”).
Genesis 1:1, 3; Exodus 3:6, 14–15; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 45:5–6; Malachi 2:10; John 1:1–3, 14; 17:3; 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 have dominion over its creatures. God placed the man in the garden to cultivate and keep it.
Humanity was created for embodied life upon God’s earth, which he has given to them, and he has made them rulers over the works of his hands. God permitted the man to eat freely of every tree of the garden but commanded him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that he ate of it he would surely die.
Genesis 1:1, 26–31; 2:7–25; Psalm 8:3–9; 24:1; 115:16.
4. Human Disobedience, Sin, and Death
The serpent deceived the woman, and the man and woman disobeyed God’s command. God said to the serpent, “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) To the woman God said that he would greatly multiply her pain in childbirth, that she would bear children in pain, and that her desire would be for her husband, and he would rule over her. To the man, because he had listened to his wife’s voice and eaten from the tree God had commanded him not to eat from, God said that the ground was cursed for his sake, that he would eat from it with much labor, and that he would return to dust. Now that the man knew good and evil, God sent him out of the garden, drove him out, and barred the way to the tree of life, so that the man would not reach out his hand, take from it, eat, and live forever. Sin entered the world through one man, death entered through sin, and death passed 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 deliverance from the bondage of decay.
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. Luke ties the title Son to the birth: “the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Peter says he “was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20). Our conclusion: Jesus did not personally exist before his conception; he is the man God foreknew and brought into being by his Spirit in Mary.
He was tempted but did not sin. He is the one mediator between God and humanity, “the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). 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. Isaiah says of the coming king, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6); our conclusion is that these are throne names given to the human king, as the Branch of David is called “Yahweh our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6) and as God made Moses “as God to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1).
Exodus 7:1; Deuteronomy 18:15–19; 2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–10; Jeremiah 23:5–6; 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 Peter 1:20; 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. Jesus says he “sat down with my Father on his throne”, and he promises the overcomer a place “with me on my throne” (Revelation 3:21). Of that throne Gabriel said, “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32), and Jesus said that when the Son of Man comes in his glory, “then he will sit on the throne of his glory” (Matthew 25:31). Our conclusion: Jesus reigns now at his Father’s right hand, and at his return he takes his own throne, David’s.
Until then Scripture calls the dead “those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” and then explained, “Lazarus is dead” (John 11:11, 14); “the dead don’t know anything” (Ecclesiastes 9:5; see 9:10), and on the day a person dies “his thoughts perish” (Psalm 146:4). Our conclusion: the dead are unconscious until the resurrection, when “The dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
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.
Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Daniel 7:13–14; 12:2; Matthew 25:31–46; Luke 1:32–33; John 5:28–29; 11:11–14; Acts 1:9–11; 2:30–36; 17:30–31; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, 35–55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 1:7; 3:21; 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.
The biblical story ends with 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!’” (Revelation 22:17)
“Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)