Expositional Preaching
We are committed to expositional preaching. David Helm calls it “empowered preaching that rightfully submits the shape and emphasis of the sermon to the shape and emphasis of a biblical text.” In other words, the main point of the passage of Scripture is the main point of the sermon, which is then applied toward the goal of life transformation. (Acts 6:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Galatians 6:6)
Elder Leadership
The New Testament makes it clear that the model for leadership in the local church is to be led by a plurality of elders. The elders are called to keep watch over and shepherd the church, teach sound doctrine, exercise spiritual oversight, and set an example of faithful Christian living. No person wields sole authority of the church, rather, the elders serve and submit to one another and the headship of Jesus as the over shepherd of the flock. (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 1:21; 5:2-3)
Believers Baptism
Belief and profession precede baptism. Baptism is the symbolic and external conformity to the inward reality of new life in Christ. Therefore, we believe it to be fitting that only those who have confessed belief in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are to practice this ordinance in obedience and conformity to the will of God. (Matthew 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:26-40; 9:9-18; 10:17-48)
Male Headship
Scripture teaches that men and women are created equal in worth and value yet with distinction of form and function. These forms and functions are complementary to one another in roles and responsibilities within the home and the church. Upon this basis the Bible forbids women to teach or exercise authority over men in the church and, therefore, the office of pastor/elder is reserved for men. We believe that this promotes the greatest human flourishing because it patterns after the created order as God intended. (Genesis 1:27-31; 2:7, 22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23-25; 1 Timothy 2:12-14)
Spiritual Gifts
Christians are exhorted to pursue all the spiritual gifts before the revelation of Jesus Christ, and we believe the gifts of the Spirit are still available for use in the church today. However, some gifts occur rarely and most occasionally in places where the Gospel is being preached for the first time or in times of revival. (Acts 2, 8, 10, 19; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 14:1)
Sovereignty In Salvation
The Bible teaches us that we are dead in our sins and unable to save ourselves. It teaches us that we have suppressed the truth and that there is not one who seeks God. We believe that God must first give us the desire and ability to receive, by faith, the grace of God through the message of the Gospel. We see this as the sovereignty of God at work in the grace of new creation. (John 6:44; Romans 1:18-20; Ephesians 2:1, 8-9, 13; 1 John 5:1)
We are committed to expositional preaching. David Helm calls it “empowered preaching that rightfully submits the shape and emphasis of the sermon to the shape and emphasis of a biblical text.” In other words, the main point of the passage of Scripture is the main point of the sermon, which is then applied toward the goal of life transformation. (Acts 6:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Galatians 6:6)
Elder Leadership
The New Testament makes it clear that the model for leadership in the local church is to be led by a plurality of elders. The elders are called to keep watch over and shepherd the church, teach sound doctrine, exercise spiritual oversight, and set an example of faithful Christian living. No person wields sole authority of the church, rather, the elders serve and submit to one another and the headship of Jesus as the over shepherd of the flock. (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 1:21; 5:2-3)
Believers Baptism
Belief and profession precede baptism. Baptism is the symbolic and external conformity to the inward reality of new life in Christ. Therefore, we believe it to be fitting that only those who have confessed belief in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are to practice this ordinance in obedience and conformity to the will of God. (Matthew 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:26-40; 9:9-18; 10:17-48)
Male Headship
Scripture teaches that men and women are created equal in worth and value yet with distinction of form and function. These forms and functions are complementary to one another in roles and responsibilities within the home and the church. Upon this basis the Bible forbids women to teach or exercise authority over men in the church and, therefore, the office of pastor/elder is reserved for men. We believe that this promotes the greatest human flourishing because it patterns after the created order as God intended. (Genesis 1:27-31; 2:7, 22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23-25; 1 Timothy 2:12-14)
Spiritual Gifts
Christians are exhorted to pursue all the spiritual gifts before the revelation of Jesus Christ, and we believe the gifts of the Spirit are still available for use in the church today. However, some gifts occur rarely and most occasionally in places where the Gospel is being preached for the first time or in times of revival. (Acts 2, 8, 10, 19; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 14:1)
Sovereignty In Salvation
The Bible teaches us that we are dead in our sins and unable to save ourselves. It teaches us that we have suppressed the truth and that there is not one who seeks God. We believe that God must first give us the desire and ability to receive, by faith, the grace of God through the message of the Gospel. We see this as the sovereignty of God at work in the grace of new creation. (John 6:44; Romans 1:18-20; Ephesians 2:1, 8-9, 13; 1 John 5:1)