Creed

1. The Bible – the Final Word of God
We believe that the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and final Word of God, the ultimate standard of all learning and living.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

“No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation… men spake from God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Pet. 1:20–21)

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We confess Sola Scriptura:
That Scripture alone is the supreme rule of faith and morals, and all doctrines, traditions, and visions are to be judged in light of it.
“To the law and the testimony! If they speak not according to this word, they have no light.” (Isa 8:20)

Compare the words of Jesus and the apostles in Matt 22:29; John 17:17; Acts 17:11.

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2. God – Holy Trinity
We believe in one, living and holy God who is from eternity three in persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but one in nature, glory and power.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deut 6:4)

The baptismal command: “…baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:19)

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:13)

The Father is the creator of all things; the Son is the incarnate Savior; the Spirit is the one who regenerates, sanctifies and strengthens God’s people.
Creation: Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16.

Salvation: John 3:16; Matt. 1:21.

Regeneration and Sanctification: John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5; Gal. 5:22–23.

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3. Jesus Christ—Virgin Birth, Death, and Resurrection
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, true God and true man, who took on human flesh to save us.
“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1–14)

“In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Col. 2:9)

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The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
“She will bear a son… The Holy Spirit will come upon you…” (Luke 1:30–35)

“Mary… before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18–23; Isaiah 7:14).

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The Atonement of the Cross
We believe that Jesus died a substitutionary death on the cross for the sins of mankind, bearing the wrath of God, taking the punishment we deserved, and redeeming us with His blood.
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3)

“He was wounded for our sins… the punishment that was upon him was our substitute, and by his stripes we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:4–6)

“He… bore our sins in his body on the tree.” (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 3:23–26)

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Death, Burial, and Resurrection
We confess that Jesus died a real, physical death, was buried, and rose again physically on the third day.
“Christ died for our sins… was buried… rose again on the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)

Accounts of the empty tomb and post-resurrection visions: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21.

The resurrection is the assurance of our justification, the victory over sin, death, and the devil, and the promise of believers’ own resurrection.
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile… But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:17–20)

“He who believes in me, even though he dies, will live…” (John 11:25–26; Romans 6:4–5).

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4. Salvation – by grace, through faith, in Christ alone
We believe that man is fallen and utterly incapable of saving himself by works, traditions, or religious affiliation.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“You were dead in your trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1).

Salvation is a gift of God, by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works, so that no one can boast.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works…” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

“We are justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; John 3:16).

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5. The Holy Spirit and the Life of Believers
We believe that the Holy Spirit works in the world and the church, convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and regenerating the believer in Christ.
“He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)

“No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3; John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5).

The Spirit lives in every believer, giving gifts according to His will, sanctifying us, and bearing fruit in our lives.
“The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…” (1 Cor 6:19–20)

Gifts: 1 Cor 12; Rom 12:3–8; Eph 4:11–13.

Fruit of the Spirit: Gal 5:22–23.

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6. The Church – the Body of Christ
We believe that the true church is the universal congregation of all born-again believers who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
“You are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.” (1 Cor 12:27)

“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for it.” (Eph 5:25–27).

We see the Small Church as a free church that wants to be faithful to the word of God, based on the gospel of the cross and resurrection of Jesus.
Acts 2:42–47 on fellowship, preaching, prayer, and breaking of bread.

Heb 10:24–25 on not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

7. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We recognize two sacraments/ordinances instituted by Christ himself: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
The ordinance of baptism: Matt. 28:18–20.

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3–4).

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial and confession of Christ’s sacrificial death, the fellowship of believers with Him and with one another, and the promise of His return.
The words of the ordinance: Matt. 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:14–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26.

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8. The End Times and the Christian Hope

We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and in glory to judge the living and the dead.
“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

“The Lord himself will descend from heaven…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Matthew 24; Revelation 22:12–13).

Believers will be granted eternal life with God, while those who reject Christ will be separated from God.

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)

“For God so loved the world… that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, see also Revelation 21:1–5).