We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone.
Article I
The Holy Trinity
There is one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is one divine essence existing as three co-substantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. All three persons share the same divine essence, substance, and nature.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:19
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1 Peter 1:2
Article II
The Authority of Scripture
The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the final authority for faith and life. It was written by human authors under the supernatural inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is the Word of God, Scripture is wholly true, without error or contradiction, and holds ultimate authority over every matter of belief and living.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 1:20–21
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:17
Article III
The Deity of Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh to be the Savior of the world. He is fully God, one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity, and fully man, possessing two complete and distinct natures simultaneously. In the incarnation, the eternal Son of God became both God and man without ceasing to be either.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:13
Article IV
The Gospel
The gospel centers on the life, substitutionary death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of all who believe. This good news fulfills Old Testament prophecy: Christ died for our sins as the Scriptures foretold, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, appearing alive to many eyewitnesses.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you... how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1–4
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 16:21
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:9
Article V
Saved by Grace through Faith
Salvation from sin, spiritual rebirth, and eternal life are the free gift of God: received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is unearned and undeserved. To be saved, a person must place their faith in Christ's sacrificial death as the only payment for sin, receiving forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:23–24
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Article VI
Not Under the Law
The Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments, was part of the conditional Old Covenant made between God and the nation of Israel. Its purpose was to reveal sin and the need for a Savior until the coming of the promised Messiah. Under the New Covenant, Christ is our righteousness, and we are no longer bound by the Law as a means of attaining righteousness before God. Obedience now flows from the indwelling Spirit, not from adherence to a code of regulations.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Galatians 3:24–25
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Romans 7:6
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Galatians 5:4
Article VII
The Rapture of the Church
Jesus Christ will return for His church before the prophesied seven-year tribulation. This imminent event will include the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the catching up of all living believers to be united with the Lord. As God's church, we are not appointed to wrath. The rapture is a joyous reunion with Christ, distinct from His future judgment of the world.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:9
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 3:10
Article VIII
Baptized with the Holy Ghost
The true baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist declared, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I... he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matthew 3:11). Water baptism, practiced by John and the early church, was a symbolic ordinance; the real and saving baptism is the spiritual baptism by which the Holy Spirit places the believer into the body of Christ.
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
John 1:33
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:5
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13
Article IX
Spiritual Warfare
There is an ongoing conflict between God, His holy angels, and the redeemed against Satan, his demonic forces, and the unredeemed under their influence. Though Christ's death and resurrection secured the ultimate victory, believers must actively resist Satan's tactics until Christ returns. Satan seeks to tempt, deceive, accuse, and destroy faith. Through prayer, obedience to God, and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers overcome demonic opposition and stand firm, and the forces of evil will be permanently defeated at Christ's second coming.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Corinthians 12:7
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27
