WHAT
WE
BELIEVE

Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.

We believe in Sola Scriptura, or Scripture Alone, as the basis for our faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:15-4:4; Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 119:1-176; 2 Peter 1:3-11). Within this reformed distinctive is the foundation of all we do, i.e., that the Bible is sufficient for what we do and how we do what we do. We do not believe the local church is to be a place for entertainment with skits, dramas, lights and show, but the drawing near to God in passionate worship in song, prayer and listening to the preaching of sacred Scripture, which alone is able to grow us toward the likeness of Christ.

Sola Gratia, by grace alone.

Further, we believe salvation is a free and gracious gift by God (i.e., Sola Gratia) not earned by anyone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-13; Matthew 11:29-30; Isaiah 55:1-2). It is the favor God gives to His people, based on nothing in them but only upon His own love and determination. In essence, grace is shorthand for the whole wonder of a gratuitous salvation that not only forgives sin and removes our guilt but really transforms us progressively into the image of Christ by the might working of the Spirit. The Reformed distinctive of grace alone not only freed the thousands who were in Roman Catholic bondage but gave them a sense of awed jubilation, a song in their heart, a smile on their faces and a deep joy to share – salvation by grace through faith.

Solus Christus, through Christ alone.

Central to our burden and that of the Reformers is the Lord Jesus Christ (i.e., Sola Christo), whose Person and work are at the core of all our assembled worship times (I Corinthians 2:1-5; Luke 24:25-32; John 5:39; Colossians 1:15-2:23). We believe the local church is a family where the beauty of Christ is to be set forth in the powerful explanation of Scripture, where His majesty is set before us continually and talking of Him becomes a natural aspect of our Christian lives. We believe the wonders of Christ, His centrality and our sufficiency in Him should be the theme of our praise in song.

Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

Obviously, the whole of salvation and life are focused toward the glory of God (i.e. Sola Dei Gloria). This is the Reformers’ conclusion of the other sola statements, i.e., as God is seen to be at the center of the whole process of gracious salvation and also at the center of all of life and eternity. Reading the sermons of Luther and Calvin, one gains a refreshing high view of their passion for the glory of God, almost a fanatical God-centeredness that consumed their hours, days, weeks, months and years. All that they did, thought, said and taught promotes God’s glory.