5 SOLAS

Faith Alone (Sola Fide)

Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice accomplished by Christ's faithfulness. Our justification does not rest on any merit to be found in us, nor upon the grounds of an infusion of Christ's righteousness in us, nor that an institution claiming to be a church that denies or condemns sola fide can be recognized as a legitimate church. The faith of which we speak is not a mystic faith evidence out by an individuals feelings. It is the faithfulness of Christ, which has purchased all who belong to Him so that not even one is lost. It is a living faith, given as a gift from God, which comes by the hearing of the Word of God. It is a glorious faith which is alive and effectual. (Eph. 2:8, Mk 9:24, Lk 17:5, 1 Tim 1:13-14, Rom 12:3, James 2:14-26, Romans 10:17)

Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)

The inerrant Scripture (the Bible) is the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our justification from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured. It is denied that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian's conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.

Christ alone (Solus Christus)

Our justification and sanctification is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father. It is denied that the gospel is preached if Christ's substitutionary work is not declared and faith in Christ and his work is not solicited.

Grace alone (Sola Gratia)

In the redeeming work and by the justification of Christ Jesus our Lord, we are rescued from God's wrath by his grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that awakens us to Christ, releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life. It is denied that the true child of God is such by any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.

Glory to God alone (Soli Deo Gloria)

It is affirmed that because redemption and the justification of the saints is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory. We live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone by the grace of God alone. It is denied that we can properly glorify God if our worship is confused with entertainment or self-merit, if we neglect the authoritative Word of God in our preaching, or if self-improvement, self-esteem or self- fulfillment are allowed to become alternatives to the gospel. We rest in the finished work of Christ Jesus our Lord and sit beneath the teaching of Word of God. All glory belongs to God alone.

1 WE BELIEVE:

1.1 In the plenary, verbal inspiration of the Old and New Testaments in the original writings allowing the believer to say with authority, God has spoken; in Biblical scriptures, as administered by the Holy Spirit, as the final and complete basis for Christian faith and life, and the only real, vital constitution of the church. Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19

1.2 In the eternal triune God as the one, and only one, true, infinite God, intelligent Spirit, maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressively glorious, perfectly holy, and worthy of all honor, trust, love, and praise; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the work of redemption. Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Romans 13:1; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7; Revelation 4:11

1.3 In the divine Person of the Holy Spirit, equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; that He restrains the evil one; that He fulfills the will of God; that He is the divine agent in regeneration; that He baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ; that He indwells, fills, seals, empowers, guides and teaches the believer; that He bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Genesis 1:1-3; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35, 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:8-13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:9; 14-16, 26-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18; Hebrews 9:14; I John 2:20

1.4 In the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God; that He became man, without ceasing to be God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin; that by the appointment of God He freely took upon Himself our nature, and though He was without sin, yet was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God; that He made possible the redemption of sinful man by His voluntary death, both physical and spiritual, on the cross; that by the grace of God He was our vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice so that we might stand without sin before God; and that the seal of our justification is His literal, physical resurrection from the dead; That He ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father where as our High Priest He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; 53:4-7; Matthew 1:18-25; 18:11; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 3:16; Acts 1:9-10; 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 8:34; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8; Philippians 2:7; I Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:24; I Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; I John 2:1-2, 4:10

1.5 In the total depravity of man, in his inherited sinful nature as a result of Adam's willful sin, and in his own willful rejection of God, so that man is alienated from God and completely unable to remedy his lost condition. Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-6; 3:24; John 1:12-13; 3:5-7; 6:44, 63-65; 8:43, 47; 14:17; Acts 16:30-33; Roman 1:18-24, 32; 3:22-23; 5:12, 19; 6:23; 8:5-8; I Corinthians 2:14; II Corinthians 5:17-19; Ephesians 1:2

1.6 That all God's Elect are kept forever (eternally secure) by God the Father in and for the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 65:4; Isaiah 43:10-13; John 6:37-40; 10:27-29; 17:1-24; Romans 8:1, 35-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; Philippians 1:6; I Peter 1:5; Jude 1

1.7 That Satan is a created being Who became the enemy of God and our adversary who goes about seeking whom he may devour; that we are to submit ourselves to God, resist Satan and he will flee; that he is to be eternally tormented in the lake of fire. Genesis 3; Job 1:6-7; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; John 8:44; James 4:4-7; I Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10