Statement of Faith

We believe in the one living and true God (Deut 6:4; John 17:3), eternally existing in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19–20; 2 Cor 13:14). The three Persons of the Godhead must be distinguished from one another yet never separated. While executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, each Person has precisely the same nature, attributes, and being, and is equally worthy of the same glory, honor, and obedience (John 1:1–4; Acts 5:3–4).

God the Father
We believe God the Father made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, in six literal days for His glory according to His own will (Ex 20:11; Gen 1:1-31; Eph 3:9; Rev 4:11), through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:3; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:2). He exercises sovereign headship over all creation, providence, and redemption (Ps 103:19; Rom 11:36), and He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Eph 1:11).

God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on a full human nature (John 1:1, 1:14; Heb 2:14). Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary (Matt 1:23-25). He, being fully God and fully man (John 14:8–9), lived a sinless life and sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place, accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. He arose visibly and bodily from the dead three days later (1 Cor 15:16-20) and ascended into heaven, where, at the Father’s right hand, He is now Head over all earthly and heavenly authorities (Eph 1:21-22). As Head over all things, He has been given to His Body the Church and is the only Savior and Mediator between God and man. He will return to earth in power and glory to consummate His redemptive mission (1 Tim 3:16).

God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). He draws the unredeemed to repentance and faith, and at salvation imparts new spiritual life to the believer (Titus 3:5), bringing that person into union with Christ His Body, the Church (1 Cor 6:15). The Holy Spirit sanctifies (Rom 15:16), seals (Eph 1:13), fills (Eph 5:18), guides (Rom 8:9-17), instructs (John 16:13), comforts (Acts 9:31), equips (Eph 6:17-18), empowers (Acts 1:8), permanently indwells at salvation (John 14:17; 1 Cor 3:16), and bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for Christ-like living and service. (Rom 12:4-8, 1 Cor 12:4-13, 19; Gal 5:25).

We believe God is the sovereign Creator of the heavens and the earth. Therefore, we affirm that the account of creation in Genesis is a record of historical events, that God created everything out of nothing (ex-nihilo) after its own kind, and that man was specially created in the image of God. We deny the worldview of evolutionism in all its various expressions (Gen. 1:1-2:3; Heb. 11:3).

We believe that God created mankind—male and female—in His own image and likeness, free of sin, to glorify Himself and enjoy His fellowship (Gen 1:26-28). Tempted by Satan, but in the sovereign plan of God, man freely chose to disobey God, bringing sin, death, and condemnation to all mankind (Gen 3:1-6; Rom. 5:12). All human beings, therefore, are totally depraved by nature and by choice (Ps 52:5; Eph 2:1-3). Alienated from God without defense or excuse, and subject to God’s righteous wrath, all of mankind is in desperate need of the Savior (Rom 1:18, 32; Rom 3:9-20).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (Luke 24:27, 44-47), as the substitutionary atonement in our place (2 Cor 5:21), and that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:3-4; Acts 4:12). Before Creation, God chose those who would be saved and granted this unearned grace based solely on His sovereign good pleasure (Eph 1:4-11). Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the sole and complete payment for sins, fully satisfying God’s righteous wrath, for each person that turns from sin in repentance and places their faith in Christ alone by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9). Through faith in Christ, each person is brought into union with Christ, made a new creation by the Holy Spirit, declared righteous before God, and eternally secured as an adopted child of God (2 Cor 5:17; Rom 6:5, 8:15). Genuine faith continues in obedience and love for Christ with a life eager to glorify God and persevere to the end (Romans 8:37–39; 1 Pet 1:3-5; Php 1:6; John 10:27-30; 1 John 2:19).

It is God's divine decision to save a person, and it is God's kindness, forbearance, and patience that lead that person to repentance (Acts 11:18; Rom 2:4). All glory for the salvation and security of every believer belongs to God alone (Rom 3:21-31; Eph 1:7-9; Eph 2:8-9, Jude 1:24-25). We believe that everyone who is born again by the Spirit through Jesus Christ is eternally assured of salvation from the moment of conversion. This assurance relies on God's decisive grace rather than on the works of the Christian. Obedience, good works, and fruit-bearing do not earn or retain the believer's salvation but indicate the reality of the person's love of Christ and profession of faith (John 14:21, 15:8, 16; James 2:17-18). Eternal security in salvation relies on the Lord's guarantee of each believer's adoption as His son or daughter (Gal 4:4-7), His seal of the believer by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13-14), and the conviction that God gives the Holy Spirit to each believer as a down payment toward future bliss in heaven (2 Cor 1:21-22). A person who professes genuine faith in Christ immediately becomes His possession (Luke 23:42- 43; Acts 2:40-41; Acts 16:30-34), and nothing can snatch that person out of His hands (John 10:27-29). Having been bought with the price of Jesus Christ's crucifixion as complete payment for sin, Christians are not their own. They are Christ's possession (1 Cor 6:19-20). This assurance is absolutely certain, reserved in heaven, and protected by God's unlimited power (1 Pet 1:4-5).

We believe what are commonly known as the “Five Solas” of the Reformation, namely:

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
Holy Scripture is unique in that it is God-breathed revelation. Therefore, Scripture alone is the sufficient and infallible authority, or rule of faith, for the church. We deny that this means Scripture teaches everything that can be known (though it provides the foundation for all knowledge), or that traditions, church history, and confessions do not have value. Yet, we affirm that Scripture is the ultimate standard, and only ultimate standard, by which we judge the truthfulness and goodness of all other claims made by any other source (Matt. 15:1-9; Luke 16:31; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Tim. 3:14-17).

Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Justification occurs through faith alone apart from any works by the believer. Through faith granted by God, the believer has their sins imputed to Christ on the cross and has His righteousness freely imputed to them. We deny that justification can be earned by the believer’s works (Rom 3:28, 5:1; Gal 2:16).

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Justification occurs by God’s grace alone and is not earned by the believer in any way. The sole basis for the believer’s justification is the grace of God. Any gospel which denies this doctrine by providing man with a basis for boasting in their works is a false gospel (Rom 3:24, 3:27, 4:16; Gal 1:8-9; Eph. 2:8-9).

Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
Salvation is granted in Christ alone. We deny that a person can be saved by having faith in something or someone other than Christ. It is only by having faith in the sinless Son of God, who offered Himself up as a substitute, that a person can be forgiven of their sins (Acts 4:12; Rom 3:22-26; 1 Tim 2:5).

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory of God Alone)
The ultimate purpose of all things (including salvation) is to glorify the one true and living God. We affirm that the chief end of man is to “glorify God, and enjoy Him forever” (Eph 1:3-14, 3:21).[1]


  [1] Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1.

We believe what have been historically known as the Doctrines of Grace (i.e., the Five Points of Calvinism), commonly referred to by the acronym T.U.L.I.P:

Total Depravity (i.e., Radical Corruption)
Because the sin of the fall has affected the entire person, mankind apart from Christ is radically corrupt This does not mean that we are as bad as we can be (because God graciously restrains us, Gen 20:6). However, it does mean that every aspect of us has been impacted by sin so that there is no “good part” in us. Mankind is enslaved to sin, unable to submit to God’s law in the heart, and unable to understand the things of God. Therefore, no one has the ability to come to Christ unless God first graciously compels them to do so (John 6:44, 8:34; Rom 3:9-18, 6:17-23, 8:7-8; 1 Cor 2:14).

Unconditional Election (i.e., Sovereign Election)
God has graciously and lovingly chosen/elected specific individuals for salvation apart from any good works they have done or will do. His election of a person is not conditioned on any part of them or their actions; it is purely based on his grace. We deny that this election is based on prescience: the idea that God’s election of a person is based on His knowledge of who would choose Him in the future. Rather, God’s election is based purely on His gracious and sovereign predestination of that person to salvation (Rom 8:29-30, 9:6-29; Eph 1:3-14).

Limited Atonement (i.e., Particular Redemption)
The atonement/work of Christ saves those whom God intended it for (i.e., the elect). Christ’s work on the cross did not make salvation possible for all; rather, it actually accomplished salvation for the elect. We deny that this doctrine can be used to justify a failure to evangelize. Rather, we affirm that this doctrine provides the basis for faithful evangelism, specifically the confidence in knowing that the all-powerful God has promised to save those whom He has intended to save in Christ (John 10:11-16, 10:24-27; Rom 8:29-34; Heb 9:15).

Irresistible Grace (i.e., Effectual Calling)
The saving grace extended by God to the called is irresistible. We deny the concept of prevenient grace: the idea that God extends grace to every human being, giving them the ability to choose or reject Christ. Rather, we affirm that saving grace is a powerful grace which actually saves those whom God has bestowed it upon (John 6:37-40).

Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God has chosen to save from before the beginning of time, and who have come to true saving faith, will endure to the end. While we affirm the reality of apostasy, we deny that a case of apostasy is an example of a true believer falling away from the faith. Rather, a case of apostasy is an example to the church of someone who never had true faith to begin with, or of a true believer who is temporarily, yet not permanently, hardened (John 10:28-29; Rom 8:30; 1 Pet 1:3-5; 1 John 2:19).

We believe that while all believers are saints and set apart unto God at the moment of their justification by faith, the Holy Spirit progressively sanctifies (i.e., makes holy) the believer’s thoughts, actions, and emotions after the pattern of Christ. This is a lifelong process which God promises for His people. Therefore, every believer is responsible to live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord (Rom 12:1-2; 1 Pet 1:14-19; 2 Tim 2:19; Titus 2) lest the Word of God be blasphemed (1 Tim 6:1; Titus 2:5). As Christians we should obey the Word of our Lord, seek the things which are above, walk as He walked, and accept as our responsibility the duty and privilege of bearing the Gospel to a lost world (1 John 2:3; Col 3:1; Eph 5:23; Matt 29:19-20). A victorious and fruitful Christian life is possible only for those who have presented themselves wholly to Christ and walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, which all believers are called to do (Rom 12:1,2; Gal 5:16; Eph 5:18; Rom 6, 7).

We believe that upon placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, the believer is made part of the Body of Christ, the one universal Church, of which Jesus Christ is the Head (Eph 4:15-16). The Scriptures command believers to gather locally in order to devote themselves to worship, prayer, fellowship, the teaching of the Word, the ordinances of baptism and communion, building up of the local body through the use of spiritual gifts, and outreach to the world to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:42–46; 1 Cor 12:7; Eph 4:12; Heb 10:25). Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the Church under the watchful care of a plurality of elders. A church’s members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ and building one another up (Eph 4:16).

We believe baptism by immersion in water is a public identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 2:41; 8:34-38). The waters of baptism serve as a symbol of our death, burial, and resurrection to newness of life (Col 2:12; 2 Cor 5:17; Rom 6:1-4). Although baptism is not required for salvation, it is commanded of all believers and is for believers only (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41).[1] We believe the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration by believers of Christ's death, and a reminder—through the bread and the cup—of the Savior's broken body and shed blood. The Lord’s Supper is for believers only and should be preceded by careful self-examination with confession of our sin (Acts 4:13; Rom 6:3-6; 1 Cor 11:23-29).


  [1] ALLOWABLE EXCEPTION FOR MEMBERSHIP: While we do not practice infant baptism, we distinguish between two different views on infant baptism. The first teaches that infants are regenerated through baptism. The second teaches that infants should be baptized as a sign of entry into the New Covenant, just as infants were circumcised under the Old Covenant. We reject the former, yet consider churches that teach the latter as brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who hold this latter view may take an exception at this point and still be admitted into membership. Men who aspire to the office of Elder/Pastor may not take an exception, or minimally must agree to submit to and teach the position in this Statement of Faith.

We believe it is the aim, duty, and privilege of every believer and local church to glorify God by responding as active participants in the Great Commission, which is the call of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20). Therefore, it is the duty of the entire church body to share the gospel in their community, make disciples of Christ, and establish, strengthen, and reproduce biblically-based churches both locally and globally for God’s glory.

We believe in and expectantly await the glorious, visible, and personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev 20:4). The blessed hope of His return has a vital bearing on the personal life, service, and mission of the believer (Titus 2:12-14). We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The lost will be raised to judgment and experience eternal wrath in hell (Rev 20:15). The saved will be raised to eternal joy in the new heaven and new earth in the manifested presence of God (Rev 21-22).

1. Spheres of Authority: We believe God is the only being with intrinsic authority – consequently all human spheres of authority are delegated by God, accountable to God, and may not assume the responsibilities He has assigned to another sphere of authority. Therefore, we affirm that God has established three spheres of human government which must be separated from one another yet never separated from God. God’s Word defines these three spheres as (Rom. 13:1; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 5:22-6:4; Deut. 6:4-9; 1 Thess. 5:12-15; Heb. 13:17; Ps. 2):
   • Family government is for the upbringing and education of children as well as for the nurturing of orderly human relationships in honor, discipline and love. The family is the basic unit of society.
   • Church government is for the spiritual well-being and ministry of God’s people.
   • Civil government is for the well-ordering and protection of society according to the righteous standard of God’s Law; this includes the appropriate punishment of criminals.
2. Marriage, Sexuality, & Gender: We believe that marriage is created by God to be shared between one biological man and one biological woman, in a lifelong holy covenant, for the purpose of companionship, sexual intimacy, and procreation. Our created gender, sexuality, and sexual fulfillment are gifts from the Creator and are to be embraced with gratitude and worship. God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed and consummated only between a man and a woman when they are united as one flesh in marriage (Gen 1:27–28, 2:24; Matt 19:4–6). Men and women are created in the image of God and stand equal in dignity and worth. (Gen 1:27; 9:6; Gal 3:28; James 3:9). God designed gender, recognized through our biological sex, as an immutable reality essential to our identity as male and female. While the fall distorts God’s design for men and women (Gen. 3:16-19), Jesus makes men and women fellow heirs of God’s eternal grace (1 Pet 3:7) who differ in complementary and mutually beneficial ways. We affirm the significant role women should play in the local church and that leadership opportunities are open to women except those excluded by Scripture in the home and church. Specifically, the Scriptures state that husbands are called to lead and love in the home as Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:22-33) and that the role of pastor/elder is only open to qualified men (1 Tim 2:12- 14, 3:2).[1]
3. Racial Harmony: We believe God has created all mankind in his own image; all people are of one blood having descended from Adam. Furthermore, God in Christ has broken down every wall that sin has made to separate us, creating one new humanity in Christ. Therefore, we make the following affirmations and denials (Gen. 5: 1-3; Acts 17:26-28; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 3:11; Rev. 7:9):
   • We affirm the dignity and human brotherhood of all mankind, in addition to the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of race, color or ethnicity.
   • We deny that there is any basis in reason or in the Bible for racial discrimination by any person against other people.
   • We affirm that the Church and its individual members must take steps to encourage racial and cultural harmony according to the righteous standard of Scripture, expressing this visibly in their communities and church.
   • We deny any worldview which attempts to understand and solve the problem of true racial hatred apart from the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word (e.g., CRT).
4. Sanctity of Human Life: We believe human life is created and defined by God alone, that all human life belongs ultimately to Him, and that He has the sole right to give and take human life. God defines (and modern science demonstrates) conception as the beginning of life; therefore, abortion is murder, or the intentional taking of innocent human life. We deny that abortion is merely an issue of a woman’s right of choice over her own body (Ex 21:22-25; Neh. 9:6; Isa 42:5; Ps. 139:13-16).  

[1] For more on the subject of marriage, sexuality, and gender, see the Nashville Statement, which Edify affirms.

We believe God in Christ has purchased the liberty of believers, freeing them from the guilt of sin, God’s wrath, unbiblical traditions, the regulations of men, Satan, and the fear of death. Therefore, we affirm that believers are bound in their consciences only to God and his Word, not to the impositions of men and of Satan. We further affirm that Christian liberty is nothing but freedom to serve God within the boundaries that God himself has set. We do not believe that Christian liberty gives license to sin of any kind. We further believe that no church, or its leaders, have a right to expect obedience from members when their teachings are contrary to, or additional to, God’s Word (Rom 14; Gal. 5:1; Col. 2:8-23; Heb. 2:14-15; Matt 15:1-9).