I.) Distinctive ⇒ Inerrancy

The Bible, as God’s inspired and authoritative Word, is God’s witness of Himself to humanity. It is therefore free from falsehood and error. We confess that when all the facts are known, and when the Bible is properly interpreted, the original autographs of the Bible will be shown to be completely true in all they affirm.

II.) Distinctive ⇒ Complementarianism

Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity, and value, but are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. As it relates to the church, men and women are both expected to lead. However, the office of elder is reserved for qualified men.

(1 Timothy 3; Titus 1)

III.) Distinctive ⇒ Women in Ministry

We believe all Christians are tasked with the Great Commission. Both men and women participate in the ministry of the church. The Bible explicitly encourages and assumes that women will be involved in forms of ministry leadership. Jesus welcomed women among His disciples, and in the New Testament we find many gifted women in ministry such as Phoebe, Euodia, Syntyche, Lydia, and Priscilla. The Bible portrays a vision of men and women laboring alongside one another for the sake of God’s kingdom. Apart from the 
role of pastor/elder, we believe the Bible explicitly encourages and assumes that women will be involved in the ministry of the church.

(Luke 8:1-3, 10:39; Acts 18:26; Romans 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Philippians 4:3; Titus 2:3-5)

IV.) Distinctive ⇒ God’s Sovereignty in Salvation

Salvation is fundamentally the work of God, which comes through hearing and believing the Gospel. Before the foundation of the world, God elected His people, setting His affection and grace upon them. In love God predestined His people for adoption. Faith is a gift that is given by the mercy and pleasure of God, so that no one may boast. Apart from the intervention of God, mankind cannot choose to worship God and pursue righteousness. God’s sovereignty in salvation is comprehensive: from first to last, all of 
salvation is the work of God.

(Romans 8:29-30; Romans 10:9-17; Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 3; Ephesians 2:1-3; Philippians 2:12-13)

V.) Distinctive ⇒ Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see on display in the New Testament are still active within the life of the church. These gifts did not end with the close of the New Testament or the death of the last apostle.  These gifts testify to the presence of God’s kingdom and empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling and mission. We do not believe in a second baptism of the Holy Spirit, but that all believers, upon being saved, receive the fullness of God’s Spirit and the gifts He apportions to the church. We believe the gifts are given to build up the church.

(Acts 2:14-21, 4:29-30; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 12:28-31, 14:1-33; Galatians 3:1-5)

VI.) Distinctive ⇒ Baptism by Immersion

The consistent pattern we find in the New Testament is baptism by immersion into water following conversion. Baptism by immersion is meant to symbolically depict the believer’s real union to Christ in His death and resurrection.

(Romans 6:1-14)

VII.) Distinctive ⇒ Communion

We believe that communion (the Lord’s Supper) is a central practice of the church and should be regularly observed at weekly corporate gatherings until the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded us to do this in order to remember who He is and who we are. It is a means of God’s sanctifying grace and a blessing to the faithful in Christ. It is reserved for those who consciously place their faith in Jesus for their righteousness.

(Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24)