Our Statement of Faith
Our church has taken a contemporary statement of faith (Holding Fast the Word of Life from Christ Fellowship of Kansas City) and adopted it with a few small modifications. We believe that this is a good summary of Christian Doctrine as it is found in Scripture.
Full Statement of Faith Below
Defining and Defending the Gospel
Our church also affirms a contemporary statement of faith produced by the founders of Together for the Gospel. This statement of faith aims to robustly define the gospel against encroaching errors while leaving secondary issues aside. We can joyfully affirm this statement and our union with all believers and churches who believe this same gospel.
Historical Confessions
Connecting ourselves to historical Christianity, our church appreciates the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
1. The Holy Scripture
God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the Word of God. 1 All Scripture in its original autograph is inerrant and infallible, transmitted through human authors by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2 Scripture alone* is the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. The authority of Scripture is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men. 3
1 Psalm 119:9; Matthew 4:4; Acts 20:32; Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21; 2 Peter 1:2-4; 3:15-16
2 Psalm 19:7-9; 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
3 Psalm 138:2; Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:3-5, 20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 John 9-11
2. God and the Trinity
There is one true and living God 1 who exists in three eternally distinct persons: 2 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 3 These three are one in being, 4 united in purpose, 5 and equally worthy of glory and adoration. 6 God is wholly other than all beings, perfect and glorious in all His attributes, with such greatness as to be incomprehensible. 7 He is invisible, eternal, omnipresent, almighty, all-knowing, unchanging, dependent upon none, sovereign, righteous, holy, just, jealous, faithful, joyful, gracious, loving, merciful, patient, and good. 8
1 Deuteronomy 4:39; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 16:15-16
2 Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:4-6; Matthew 3:16-17
3 The Father: Matthew 3:16-17; 6:9; John 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 24-25; The Son: Matthew 1:23; 3:16-17; John 1:1, 14; 5:19-23; 8:58 (cf. Exodus 3:14); John 10:31-33; 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 25; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; 3:4, 6 (cf. Isaiah 43:11; 45:21); Hebrews 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:1; The Holy Spirit: Matthew 1:18 (cf. Luke 1:35); John 14:16-17; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 12:11; Hebrews 10:15-17 (cf. Jeremiah 31:33-34)
4 Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22-24; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 3:16
5 Isaiah 42:1; 48:16; 61:1-3; Matthew 28:19; John 5:19, 30; 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Titus 3:4-6
6 Matthew 12:31-32; John 5:23; 17:5; Hebrews 1:6; 10:29; Revelation 4:11 (cf. Psalm 104:30); Revelation 5:12-14
7Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 42:1-5; Psalms 50:1-5; 113:4-5; 89:5-8; 148:13; Isaiah 40:21-28; 55:8-9; Daniel 4:34-35; Matthew 5:48; 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
8invisible—John 1:18; 4:24; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:12; eternal— Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17; omnipresent—Psalm 139:7-12; Proverbs 15:3; almighty—Psalm 62:11; 65:6; Isaiah 40:15, 28; Psalm 115:3; all-knowing—Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:13-14, 28; 66:18; Romans 16:27; unchanging—Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17; dependent upon none—Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:25; sovereign—1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 47:2; 115:3; Proverbs 21:1; Lamentations 3:37-38; Isaiah 46:9-11; John 19:10-11; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:15; righteous—Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:8; Psalm 89:14; 92:15; John 17:25; Hebrews 1:8-9; holy—Leviticus 11:44; Psalm 99:3, 5, 9; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; just—Psalm 89:14; Romans 3:26; 1 Peter 3:18; jealous—Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; 32:16; Joshua 24:19; Ezekiel 39:25; Nahum 1:2; Zechariah 1:14; 8:2; faithful—Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 49:7; Jeremiah 42:5; Hosea 11:12; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 2:17; 3:2; 3:6; 1 Peter 4:19; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 19:11; joyful—Deuteronomy 30:9; 1 Chronicles 16:27; Jeremiah 32:41; 33:9; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 15:23-24; John 15:11; Galatians 5:22; Hebrews 12:22; gracious—Exodus 34:6; Jonah 4:2; Ephesians 1:5-8; 2:4-7; 1 Peter 2:3; loving—John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 3:1; 4:8-10 (cf. Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:10-15; Hebrews 12:5-8); merciful—Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 136; Lamentations 3:22-23 (cf. Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:15); patient—Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; Jonah 4:2; Romans 2:4; 9:22-23; 2 Peter 3:9; good—Exodus 34:6; Psalm 34:8; Luke 18:19
3. Creation
Though without needs, and having no deficiency in Himself, 1 God created all that now exists in six literal days and from nothing, and it was all very good. 2 The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit acted together in the work of creation. 3 Out of all living things, only man and woman were created in God's image. God granted mankind dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself. 4
1 Acts 17:25
2 Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11; 31:17; Acts 17:24; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11
3 Genesis 1:1-2, 26-28; Psalm 33:6, 9; 104:30; Jeremiah 10:12-13; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2; 11:3
4 Genesis 1:26-28; 9:6; Psalm 8:3-8; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9
4. Providence
God sustains, orders, and directs His universe in every detail. 1 Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His eternal decree and purpose. 2 In God's infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for His glory, 3 and for the benefit of His people, 4 but He is never guilty of sin. 5
1 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Job 38:4-41; Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 46:9-11; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11; Acts 17:25, 28; Hebrews 1:3
2 Exodus 4:21; 5:2; 7:2-5; 9:15-16 (cf. Romans 9:17-21); Proverbs 16:9; 21:1, Daniel 4:25, 35; Matthew 10:29; John 6:37-40; Acts 4:27-28; 13:48; Philippians 2:12-13
3 Exodus 9:16 (cf. Exodus 7:3-5); Isaiah 60:21; Ezekiel 28:20-24; Romans 9:22-24; 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-1
4 Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:5-11 (cf. Deuteronomy 8:15-16)
5Job 34:10; James 1:13-14
5. The Fall and Its Effects
God made Adam good, holy, and upright, 1 appointing him representative and head of the human race. 2 He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God's command. 3 By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt sinful nature. 4
1 Genesis 1:26-31; Ecclesiastes 7:29
2 Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22
3 Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-24
4 Genesis 6:12; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:9-19, 23; 5:12, 18, 19; 6:23 (cf. James 1:14-15); 1 Corinthians 15:22
6. Man's Inability
The Fall brought every man into a state of utter depravity, meaning that every dimension of his being is distorted by sin. 1 Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master, 2 God as an enemy, 3 and the message of the cross as foolishness. 4 Until he is born again, he does not possess the ability to please God, to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ. 5
1 Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:28-32; 3:9-18; Titus 1:15
2 Romans 6:16-22; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:26; Titus 3:3
3 Romans 5:10; 8:6-8; Colossians 1:21; James 4:4
4 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
5 Jeremiah 13:23; John 3:3 (cf. Mark 4:10-12); John 3:19-20; 6:44, 65; 8:43, 45, 47; 14:17; 15:5; Romans 1:21; 3:9-18; 8:6-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1; 4:17-19; Colossians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (cf. John 3:27; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Peter 1:1)
7. The Birth and Life of Christ
In love, and for His own glory, God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins. 1 Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, 2 Jesus was and is both God and man. 3 He was tempted in all things yet without sin 4, living the perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people. 5
1 Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 3:16-17; 17:1-5; 1 John 3:5
2 Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35
3 John 1:1, 14; 20:28-29; Romans 5:15, 18-19; 9:5; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49; Philippians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2:17
4 Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-28; 1 Peter 2:17-19; 1 John 3:5
5 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5
8. The Death of Christ
Because of His great love, Christ died willingly on the cross according to God’s eternal purpose, 1 as the perfect sacrifice for sin, 2 bearing the wrath of God, and forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement 3 for His people. 4
1 Mark 15:37,44-45; John 15:3; Romans 5:6-8; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:8; Revelation 1:18
2 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:10; 9:9-14; 10:10-14
3 John 3:36; 19:28-30; Romans 3:23-25; 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Hebrews 7:23-27; 1 John 2:2; 4:10
4 John 10:14-16; 15:12-14; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:28-34; Ephesians 5:25; Hebrews 10:12-14
9. The Resurrection of Christ
On the third day, Jesus rose bodily from the grave. 1 The resurrection affirms the deity and authority of Christ, 2 assures believers of their future bodily resurrection, 3 and declares the work of Christ complete and acceptable to God. 4
1 Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:5-8, 39, 42-43
2 Romans 1:4; John 2:19-21 (cf. 5:21, 26); Acts 2:29-36; 17:31; Ephesians 1:20-22; Philippians 2:8-11
3 Romans 6:5-9; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:12-19, 22; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:20-21
4 1 Corinthians 15
10. The Ascension of Christ
At the completion of His first earthly ministry, Jesus ascended bodily into heaven to sit at the right hand of God.1 Having perfectly obeyed His Father in all things,2 the Father gave Him the name that is above every name 3 and appointed Him High Priest and King over His people. 4 As our perpetual High Priest, 5 He is the one and only Mediator between God and men, 6 interceding with God on behalf of His people, 7 having once and for all presented Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. 8 As King, He is the Head of His Church 9 and ruler over all creation, which will eventually acknowledge His rule to His ultimate glory. 10
1 Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; 24:51; Acts 1:9-11; 2:33; 5:31; 7:55-56; Ephesians 1:20; Col 3:1; Hebrews 1:3,13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; I Peter 3:22
2 Philippians 2:8; John 5:19; 10:37-38; 15:10; Romans 5:19, Hebrews 5:8
3 Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:4
4 Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 10; 7:1, 17
5 Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21, 23-24
6 I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24
7 Isaiah 53:12; 59:16; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1
8 Hebrews 7:27-28; 9:11-14, 24-28; 10:1-18
9 Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18
10 Psalms 8:6; Is 45:23; 110:1; Matthew 28:18; Rom 14:9-11; I Corinthians 15:24-28; Philippians 2:9-11; 3:21; Revelation 5:13
11. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God as the third person of the Trinity, 1 and has acted as God throughout all eternity. 2 The Spirit is, in a special way, God’s covenant presence on earth, and, as such, is grieved by sin. 3
Throughout the period of the Old Covenant the Spirit empowered individuals to effect God’s will by performing signs and wonders, giving victory in battle, and especially speaking the word of God. 4 In the same way, He inspired men in the writing of all scripture (both Old Testament and New) making scripture God-breathed. 5
The Spirit effected Christ’s incarnation 6 and empowered His ministry on earth. 7
In the New Covenant, Christ, upon His ascension into heaven, pours out the Spirit in a new way on His people who come to Him in faith, sealing them as His own, and guaranteeing their inheritance. 8 Without the Spirit, a person is none of Christ’s. 9
The Spirit testifies to and glorifies Christ in all He does.10 To do so, He comes in power to convict of sin and regenerate Christ’s chosen people,11 to work sanctification in those who have come to faith in Christ,12 to act as the Counselor – teaching all things and guiding into all truth,13 and to empower the body of Christ to serve Him.14
1 Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; John 14:16-17; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-11; I Corinthians 2:10-12; 12:11; Hebrews 10:15-17
2 Genesis 1:2; 6:3; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 40:13; Matthew 28:19
3 Isaiah 63:10; Haggai 2:5 (cf Exodus 29:45); Psalm 139:7; Malachi 2:15; Acts 5:3, 9; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:30; I Thessalonians 5:19
4 Exodus 31:3; 35:31; Numbers 11:17-29; Numbers 24:2; 27:28; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:19; 15:14; I Samuel 10:6, 10; 11:6; 16:13-14; 19:20, 23; II Samuel 23:2; I Kings 18:12; I Chronicles 12:18; II Chronicles 15:1; 20:14; Nehemiah 9:20, 30; Psalm 51:11; Psalm 143:10; Isaiah 63:11, 14; Ezekiel 2:2; 3:12-15, 24-27; 8:3; 11:1, 5-12, 24; 37:1; 43:5; Micah 3:8; Haggai 2:5; Zechariah 7:12; Matthew 22:43; Mark 12:36; Luke 1:15, 41, 67; 2:25-27; Acts 1:16; 4:25-26; 28:25
5 Zechariah 7:12; Matthew 22:43; Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16; 4:25-26; 28:25; Ephesians 3:5; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 10:15-17; II Peter 1:21
6 Matthew 1:18-21; Luke 1:35
7 Isaiah 11:2; 42:1; 48:16; 61:1; Matthew 3:16; 4:1; 12:18, 25-32; Mark 1:9-12; 3:23-29; Luke 3:22; 4:1, 14-19; 10:21; John 1:29-34; Acts 1:2; 10:38; Romans 1:4; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter 3:18
8 Isaiah 32:15; 44:3; 59:21; Ezekiel 36:27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; 11:13; 12:10; John 3:34; 7:37-39; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7; 20:22; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-21, 33, 38; 6:3; 8:15-19; 9:17, 31; 10:44-47; 11:15-16; 13:52; 15:8; 19:2-6; Romans 5:5; I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 3:1-14; 4:6; Ephesians 2:22; I Thessalonians 4:8
9 Romans 8:9, 11, 17; II Corinthians 1:22, II Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 6:7-10; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; I John 3:24; 4:13; Jude 1:19
10 John 14:26; 15:26; 16:8, 14-15; Acts 5:32; Ephesians 1:17; I John 3:24; 5:6-8
11 John 3:1-8; 16:8-11; Romans 2:29; I Corinthians 2:1-16; 6:11; 12:3; II Corinthians 3:3, 7-18; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 3:16-17; I Thessalonians 1:6; Titus 3:5
12 Romans 8:1-17; 15:14-16; I Corinthians 6:11; II Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:16-25; Galatians 6:7-10; Ephesians 3:16-17; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2
13 John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13; Acts 10:19; 11:12; 13:2, 4; 15:28; 16:6-7; 20:22-23
14 Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12; Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3-5, 10; 7:55; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:9; 20:28; 21:4, 11; Romans 7:6; 15:13, 18-19; I Corinthians 2:1-5; 6:19; 12:4-13; Philippians 1:19; I Thessalonians 1:5; II Timothy 1:14; Hebrews 2:4
12. Election and Responsibility
Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women to eternal life through Christ 1 as an act of His free grace alone*. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit. 2 In the unsearchable realm of God's sovereign will, 3 all men remain responsible beings, subject to God's commands to repent and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ. 4
1 John 6:37-39; 10:14-16; 17:2; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Romans 9:10-16; 11:5-10; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 1:9
3 Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33-34; 1 Corinthians 2:16
4 Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 1:15; John 3:36; 6:37; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 1:18-21; 2:4-5; 9:19-22; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
13. Calling and Regeneration
To accomplish God's redemptive purpose, 1 the Holy Spirit works effectually through the gospel of Christ, 2 regenerating elect sinners 3 and drawing them irresistibly to repentance and saving faith . 4
1 Isaiah 55:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-13, 16 (cf. Luke 19:10); Matthew 1:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Romans 1:16; 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:14
3 Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:5; James 1:18
4 John 6:37, 44-45, 65; 10:16; Acts 2:39; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Hebrews 9:15
14. Justification
Those who repent and believe in the gospel of Christ are declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ's perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness. 1 Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, 2 nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness. 3 It is granted through faith alone* 4 in the person and work of Christ alone*. 5
1 Isaiah 53:11; Romans 4:5-8, 11, 16, 20-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 8:9; 1 Peter 1:18-19
2 Romans 3:20-21, 27-28; 4:1-5; 10:1-4; Galatians 2:15-16; 20-21; 3:10-14; Titus 3:4-7
3 Romans 4:1-8; 5:12-19; Hebrews 10:14
4 Genesis 15:6; John 1:11-12; Romans 1:17; 3:20, 26-28; 4:5, 20-24; 5:1; Galatians 2:15-16, 20-21; 3:2-3, 5-9, 11-13; 5:1-6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9
5 John 3:14-18, 36; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 John 9; 1 Corinthians 16:22
15. Progressive Sanctification **
According to God's purpose in predestination, the justified are progressively conformed to the image of Christ.1 All true believers will put off the old self that is corrupted by its deceitful desires, putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh.2 Through the renewing of the mind, believers will put on the new self, created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness, and will thus grow in the fruits of the Spirit.3 All of this is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God allowing the believer to more fully perceive the glory of Christ.4
All true believers direct their will and affections toward sanctification.5 Sanctification necessarily follows justification and validates the believer’s faith, that is, all true believers will bear fruit.6 Thus failure to progress to some degree in sanctification may be evidence against true regeneration.7 Consequently, all believers are commanded to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.8 Although sanctification is necessary, it is always progressive and sinless perfection will not be obtained in this life,9 but it assuredly will be finalized at the resurrection.10
**The term “sanctification,” as it relates to the life of a believer, is used in scripture with two slightly different meanings. This statement only addresses one of these meanings, that which is progressive in nature. The other use of sanctification is to be “set apart” in a way that is concurrent with justification.11
1 Proverbs 4:18; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 5:23-24
2 Romans 6:2-3, 6-7, 11-14; 8:12-14; II Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:17-21, 24; Ephesians 4:22, 25-31; 5:3-6, 11; Colossians 3:1-9
3 Romans 6:4, 8-14; 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16, 22-23, 25; Ephesians 4:23-24, 32; 5:8-10; Colossians 3:10-17
4 Psalm 1:1-3; 19:7-8; 119:9, 11, 133; Proverbs 2:1-9; Ezekiel 36:27; John 17:17; Acts 20:32; Romans 8:8-14; Ephesians 5:26; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 3:18; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 2:1-3; I John 3:2
5 Matthew 5:6; 7:21; John 14:15, 21; Hebrews 12:14; James 2:14-26; II Peter 1:5-11; I John 2:3-6; 3:3; III John 11
6 Exodus 20:5-6; Deuteronomy 5:9-10; 7:9; Daniel 9:4; Matthew 13:1-23; 25:31-40; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:1-11; John 14:15, 21; 15:1-11; Romans 6:15-23; Romans 8:13; I Timothy 4:11-16; Hebrews 12:14; James 2:14-26; II Peter 1:3-11; I John 2:3-6; 5:1-5; II John 1:6; III John 11
7 Matthew 7:21; 25:41-46; John 14:24; 15:1-11; Romans 6:15-23; Romans 8:13; II Corinthians 13:1-10; Hebrews 12:14; James 2:14-26; I John 2:3-6; III John 11
8 I Corinthians 9:27; II Corinthians 7:8-16; 13:5; Philippians 2:12; II Peter 1:10
9 Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Philippians 3:12-14; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8, 10
10 1 Corinthians 13:9-12; Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24; Revelation 21:27
11 I Corinthians 1:2; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10, 29
16. Perseverance
Believers are commanded to stand firm in the faith. 1 All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away. 2 Such perseverance is a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes an enduring faith in all true believers. 3
1 2 Peter1:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 16:13; Philippians 4:1; Luke 8:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:5-6
2 John 5:24; 10:27-29; Romans 8:1-2; 28-39; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 3:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19
3 Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Jude 24
17. The Church
The universal church is the union of all true believers through all time.1 She is the bride of Christ and He is sanctifying and purifying her to be the radiant bride of his eternal kingdom. 2 Union with Christ by faith places one into this body and secures every blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.3 Water baptism as an outward sign points to this initiation and is commanded of all who repent and believe unto salvation. 4
A local church is a well-ordered household under Christ’s headship, a visible expression of the universal church.5 Her members covenant together to live in loving Christian community consistent with each individual’s profession in obedience to the Scriptures.6 They gather to devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.7 The regular observance of the Lord’s Table and the formative disciplines of Christian fellowship build up the body in the faith and prepare her to proclaim, protect, and commend the gospel and practice good works according to the enablement of the Holy Spirit.8 Individually and corporately, Christ’s people labor for the fruitfulness of the gospel in their surrounding community and to the ends of the earth.9
Each local fellowship submits to and flourishes under the leadership of biblically qualified men whose stewardship in God’s household reflects the care of a shepherd for his sheep.10 These leaders hold the office of elder or overseer and, functioning in a plurality, they provide sound teaching, direction, counsel, rebuke, spiritual protection, accountability, and a Christ-like example for the members of their flock.11 They may appoint and entrust qualified deacons to serve the church so that they might devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.12
1 Matthew 16:18
2 Ephesians 5:15-17
3 Ephesians 1:3-2:10
4 Acts 2:37-39; 1Peter 3:21-22
5 1 Timothy 3:1-15; 1 Corinthians 5
6 Acts 15; 1 Corinthians 7:17
7 Acts 2:42
8 1 Corinthians 11:17-24; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:11-16; Titus 2:11-14
9 Matthew 28:18-20
10 Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-11
11 Hebrews 13:17; Ezekiel 24:1-16
12 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-6
18. Baptism
Baptism, being immersion in water,1 is commanded for all regenerate believers 2 who demonstrate true faith and true repentance.3 Baptism symbolizes primarily the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life.4 It also represents the believer’s cleansing from sin 5 and sharing in the gift of the Holy Spirit.6
1 Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-38
2 Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 31-34; 18:8
3 Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 16:31-34
4 Acts 19:3-5; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11-14
5 Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22
6 Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Acts 19:1-7
19. The Lord's Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a holy ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ to commemorate the giving of Himself as a perfect sacrifice to the Father for the sake of all true believers. The bread represents His body, unblemished by sin, which was broken for His people; and the cup represents the new covenant made through the shedding of His blood for the cleansing of their sin. 1 Through this sacrament, the church proclaims the sufficiency of Christ as their Savior and Redeemer, 2 as their spiritual sustenance, 3 able to unite all believers as one group separate and distinct from the world, 4 who is worthy of obedience as Lord and Master, 5 and of all glory, honor, and praise. 6 It is thus fitting that this ordinance is shared regularly in the corporate church gatherings, with thankfulness and joy, yet also with care and reverence by giving attention to both self examination and church discipline, lest those who partake carelessly bring judgment upon themselves. 7
1 Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Matthew 26:26-28; Romans 5:8-11; 19; Heb 9:11-28
2 Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:19-23
3 John 6:26-58; Colossians 3:2-4
4 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Ephesians 4:4-6
5 1 Peter 1:14-19; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
6 Revelation 1:5-6; 5:1-14
7 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 11:26-34
20. The Return of Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous. 1 The justified shall enjoy everlasting life in the presence of God in heaven, while the unjustified shall eternally endure God's wrath in hell.2
1 John 5:28-29; 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28
2 Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 20:11-21:8; 22:3-5; 14-15
21. The Law and Covenants
Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed all the righteous requirements of God’s Law, 1 and through His death on the cross provided redemption from its curse, 2 so that through Christ alone believers are justified by faith, 3 and receive the perfect satisfaction and beautiful fulfillment of all the Old Testament covenants; through Him God has made the elect of all ages the beneficiaries of these blessings, and heirs of the promises. 4
Furthermore, Christ has become the mediator of a new and better covenant with His people, 5 those from every tongue, tribe, and nation, who are now called the Church. 6 As promised, He has given the Holy Spirit that they might walk in faith and obedience to do all He has commanded, having His law written upon their hearts, 7 and a clear view of love as its foundation. 8 Within the Law if Christ is seen the continuity of God’s holy standards as understood properly through the interpretive lens of the life and teaching of the Lord and His apostles. Within the Law of Christ is seen the heart of God‘s Law expressed throughout the whole of scripture, in precepts, principles, and patterns; for the moral aspects of God’s law reflect His will for all men, throughout all times, though such ceremonial aspects as given to the Israelites through Moses were a shadow preceding Christ, who is the substance, and have been laid aside with this New Covenant, in which the church now abides. 9
1 Acts 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 9:14; 1 Peter 2:22
2 Galatians 3:10-13
3 Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:21-5:2; Galatians 2:15-3:26
4 Matthew 5:17-18; Romans 4:6-25; 15:8; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 3:8-9, 14; Hebrews 6:9-20
5 Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 7:1-10:25
6 Matthew 28:20; Luke 24:27; Revelation 5:9-10
7 Jeremiah 31:33; 32:38-40; John 14:16-31; 16:5-15; Romans 7:6, 8:14
8 John 13:34-35; 14:2; 15:12-14; 1 John 2:3-6; 3:1; 5:3
9 Isaiah 42:4; Matthew 5:17; 28:20; 1 Corinthians 9:20-21; Galatians 6:2; James 2:8-12; Hebrews 3:1-10:18 (especially 7:12-19; 8:6,13; 9:15; 10:1)
22. The Three Institutions of God
God has graciously and wisely ordained three distinct, yet complementary, institutions: the family, 1 the church, 2 and civil government.3 He has granted particular rights and privileges to each of these institutions, as well as particular authority, responsibility, and jurisdiction. 4 God will hold accountable those individuals He has placed in positions of authority within each of these institutions, having an expectation of their faithfulness to such duties, in accordance with His Holy will as revealed in scripture.5 He also has commanded humble submission and obedience of those who are under the covering of authority in each of these institutions, 6 with the exception of disobedience when conscience would deem such commands imposed as being in clear violation of God’s will, yet with a heart ready to patiently endure suffering the consequences of such disobedience for the sake of righteousness.7
1 Genesis 1:26-27, 2:20-24; Matthew 19:4-6
2 Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 1:3-2:22; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:4-12
3 Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14
4 Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-22; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:3-8; Titus 1:5-16; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; 1 Peter 5:1-3
5 Matthew 15:3-9; Luke 10:19-26; Acts 20:28-32; Jeremiah 23:1-2; Ezekiel 34:2-10; 1 Peter 5:1-4
6 Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-22; 1 Peter 2:13-14; 3:1-7; 5:5; Titus 3:1-2; Romans 13:1-6; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
7 Matthew 10:34-39; Acts 5:27-32, 40-42; 1 Peter 2:19-24
23. The Glory of God
Christians must live for God's glory alone* 1 through their awareness and enjoyment of His Person, 2 submission to His authority, 3 and reliance upon His goodness. 4 In truth, all things that have or will transpire, serve to glorify God as their highest purpose. 5
1 Leviticus 10:3; Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Peter 4:11
2 Psalm 23:4; 46:1; 139:7-10, 17-18; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 16:17; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6
3 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Micah 6:8; John 15:14-16 (cf. John 15:8; Ephesians 2:10); Hebrews 12:28-29
4 Psalm 23; 18:1-3; 34:7-10; Isaiah 41:10; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Matthew 6:25-32; Luke 11:11-13; Acts 17:24-25, 28; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7; James 1:17
5 Psalm 46:10; 86:9; Malachi 1:11; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:20-21
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:36)
* Imbedded in our statement of faith are the following five critical Christian doctrines. For centuries before the Protestant Reformation, these truths were largely neglected, even denied by most professing Christian leaders.
1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.
2. Sola Gratia (by Grace alone)
In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. God's spontaneous and unmerited favor is granted through the calling and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit who releases us from our willful bondage to sin and enables us to repent and believe in Christ.
3. Sola Fide (through Faith alone)
Justification is by grace alone through faith alone. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ's righteousness.
4. Solus Christus (because of Christ alone)
Our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary death alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.
5. Soli Deo Gloria (for the Glory of God alone)
God glorifies Himself in all that He does. Therefore we should acknowledge His highest purpose and live for His glory alone.
Adapted from Holding Fast the Word of Life Copyright © 2003 Christ Fellowship of Kansas City