We believe the Bible to be God’s Word which reveals the only hope for humanity, Jesus Christ. Moreover, we believe Scripture to be entirely true in every sense because its author is God, who Himself is Truth. (Tit. 2:13, Is. 65:16, Heb. 4:12)
We believe that Scripture is God’s special revelation to humanity in a unified narrative that leads to Jesus Christ, our Creator, Redeemer, Judge, and Lord, and it has profound wisdom for the modern world. Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ is the point of the story of the Bible. (Luke 24:27)
We believe this epic story began with God creating the heavens and earth and will culminate with God creating a new heaven and new earth where His people will dwell with Him forever. This holy book shows us just how unholy we are, how Holy our God is, and how Jesus Christ’s sacrifice makes believers holy. (Ps. 51:5, Is. 6:3, Heb. 10:10) If you miss the Gospel, you miss the entire point of the Book. We further believe that if your faith isn't in the finished work of Christ—His perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection—you will die in your sins. (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 9:26, John 8:24)
We believe that every Word in the original manuscripts behind every book in the canon of Scripture was God-breathed without error, and is, therefore, useful for teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteous living, such that the man or woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
We believe that the canon of Scripture has been closed for over 1,900 years and consists of 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books originally written in the languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Furthermore, we believe nearly 40 authors wrote in their own language and dialect according to their customs and culture, yet were simultaneously verbally carried along by the Holy Spirit such that humans wrote God's Word. (2 Pet. 1:21) This work of the Holy Spirit took place over 1,600 years, on three different continents, through shepherds, farmers, judges, kings, prophets, priests, fishermen, government officials, craftsmen, and even a doctor.
We believe that God did not stop His work of giving us His Word in inspiration but continued to ensure that accurate copies of the original manuscripts were preserved such that not even the smallest letter or stroke of His Word will ever pass away. (Mt. 5:18, Mark 13:31)
We believe God Sovereignly worked not only in inspiration and preservation but also in the discovery and revelation of the canonical books. We deny any suggestion that the church conspired to choose which books it wanted in the Bible or that inspired books are missing or lost.
We believe the Bible to be the sole authority for the church and our final authority for faith, practice, and conduct. We are commanded to read the Bible both privately and publically, and it must be the primary source document for all teaching and preaching in the church; we must preach the Word. (Ps. 1:2, 1 Thess. 5:27, 2 Tim. 4:2)
We believe that as believers, we should hide God’s Word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him and that His Word should be a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. (Ps. 119)
We believe that both copies and translations of Scripture are the Word of God to the extent that they faithfully represent the original text. (2 Pet. 3:16) Furthermore, we believe that because the Bible is God’s Word, it is to be both believed and obeyed by all who profess Christ as Savior.
Finally, we believe that we are completely reliant upon the Spirit of God to give us understanding as we study Scripture and hear it proclaimed. (1 Cor. 2:6-16) Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can never understand the mind of God as it's been revealed in His Word.
