Beliefs

The church of the living God is “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Accordingly, we seek to keep the orthodox faith in its purity.

We base our beliefs on the Bible, which is the inerrant Word of God, the supreme standard over all human authorities.

These biblical teachings we profess have been held, defended, and articulated for two thousand years since the Bible was completed, especially by the Reformers of the 16th and 17th centuries, and we eagerly seek to carry on this faith into future generations.

This faith is expressed in the confession of faith and catechisms of our church, which have stood the test of time from their origin in the 1640s with only a few minor edits over the centuries. You can still expect these enduring truths to be preached and taught in our church.

Summary Statement

In short, we believe that God is eternally one God and three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

We believe this infinite and uncreated God created everything very good by His word in the space of six days, but that mankind fell into a state of rebellion and sin through the sin of Adam. But God in His grace chose to save a people.

The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for their sins by His death and resurrection. Jesus then sent the Spirit to unite this people to Him by faith and thereby give them forgiveness, adoption as God’s children, progressive growth in righteousness, and eternal life and glory.

Christ identifies, strengthens, and disciples this people through the Word, sacraments, and prayer in the fellowship of the visible church.

God’s law, once a burden of condemnation, now is a delight to those who are forgiven and seek to serve their Savior in love and gratitude. Christ has established His kingdom and is even now furthering it by His grace and sovereignty.

He will bring it to consummation when He returns to raise the dead, judge all men, and make His people perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity in the new heavens and the new earth, free from sin and sorrow.

Official Statements