Statement of Faith
WE BELIEVE THAT GOD WROTE THE BIBLE THROUGH MEN WITHOUT ERROR
The Old and New Testament, in their entirety, constitute the written Word of God and are without error in the original manuscripts. They were written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and therefore have supreme authority in all matters for the followers of Christ.
(John 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
WE BELIEVE IN THE ETERNAL TRIUNE GOD: FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT
There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these three persons is equal in every divine perfection, and together they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
(Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-4; I John 5:7)
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity, fully God, eternally existent. He is perfect in holiness, wisdom, justice, power, and love, and yet infinitely personal, desiring that people know him intimately. He concerns himself mercifully in people’s lives, hears and answers prayer, and saves all who come to him through Jesus Christ from sin and death.
(John 3:16-17; John 4:24; John 17:5)
Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, fully God, eternally begotten of the Father, not created. He became fully human, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and made His dwelling among people. He lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary atoning death, resurrected in a physical body, and ascended into heaven. He intercedes for his people and will make a visible return to earth.
(Isaiah 7:14; John 1:1,14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-3; I John 1:7.)
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God, eternally proceeding from both the Father and the Son. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ, and he is an abiding helper, teacher and guide.
(John 14:26; John 16:7-15; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14)
WE BELIEVE THAT GOD CREATED PEOPLE, UNIQUELY MALE AND FEMALE, IN HIS OWN IMAGE
Because of creation in God’s image, every human life is sacred, full of dignity and significance, and enjoys equal access to God by faith in Jesus Christ. As divine image bearers, people reflect God and are called to represent him by multiplying and working for the wellbeing of society. God's design is for the majority of his image bearers to be married and to raise godly children, with marriage reserved for one man and one woman for their entire life.
(Genesis 1:26-28, Galatians 3:25-28)
WE BELIEVE THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE SINFUL AND IN NEED OF THE UNMERITED FREE GIFT OF SALVATION
All people are sinners by nature and choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. However, those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and justified --declared not guilty but righteous instead-- as a gift of His grace.
(John 1:12-13; John 3:3,16-17; Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:1-9; Titus 3:5.)
WE BELIEVE THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS
Their conduct should be blameless before the world; they should be a faithful steward of their possessions; and they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Jesus Christ.
(2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:17-23; I Thessalonians 5:17-18.)
WE BELIEVE IN THE PERSONAL AND VISIBLE RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
He will return to earth to establish his eternal kingdom, and all people will be resurrected and face a final judgment. Believers will be resurrected to eternal joy in the presence of God. Unbelievers will be resurrected to eternal conscious punishment.
(John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:1-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46)
WE AFFIRM THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
WE HOLD THESE BELIEFS HUMBLY, RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSITY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST
We believe the Bible’s authority is not limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes but include its assertions in such fields as history and science. We acknowledge that there are differences in the interpretation of some Biblical doctrines amongst the Christian Church on earth. When subjects that can be viewed as controversial within Christianity are discussed in class, teachers will acknowledge that these issues are understood by faithful Christians in different ways, and will encourage students to discuss these topics with their parents so that family beliefs are given priority.