We are a congregation of the Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Westminster Bekenntnisses and are rooted in the Reformed faith, which pulls together the most significant doctrines taught in the Bible. These doctrines are summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism.
The Triune God
We believe in the Trinity. There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory, and are to be equally loved, honored, and worshipped.
The Authority of the Bible
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is the only infallible rule of faith and practice. It is sufficient, clear, authoritative, and necessary.
God as Creator and Sustainer
We believe that God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in His power, perfection, goodness, glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through Him and by His will. He holds all things together by the power of His Word.
Humanity Created in God’s Image
We believe that God created us male and female in His own image to know Him, love Him, live with Him, and glorify Him. Life was created and designed with a purpose. We believe it is not only a duty but a joy to live according to God’s Word and God’s design.
Living to Glorify God
We believe that we glorify God and enjoy Him by loving Him, trusting Him, worshipping Him, and by obeying His will, commands, and law.
God’s Law and Our Sinful Nature
We believe that God requires personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done, and what God commands should always be done.
The Fall and the Sinfulness of Humanity
We believe that because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of creation is fallen; we are all born in sin and guilt, corrupt in our nature and by choice, and unable to keep God’s law and do what He requires.
We believe that sin is rebelling against God by rejecting or ignoring Him in the world He created and by not being or doing what He requires in His law—resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s wrath, except by His grace and mercy.
Salvation by Grace Alone
We believe that salvation is by God alone, as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any individual human merit or foreseen faith.
Jesus Christ: God Incarnate
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, the eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life, was crucified, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to heaven, having all authority over heaven and earth.
Jesus’ Atoning Work
We believe that Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him alone for salvation. Jesus took upon Himself the wrath of God for believers on the cross, paid for their guilt with His blood, bore the full penalty of sin, and reconciled believers to God.
By His resurrection, Jesus has broken the power of death and defeated Satan, who once held power over death, thus bringing eternal life to God’s children.
Justification by Faith Alone
We believe that we receive credit for His obedience and perfection as well as His atoning death by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people. He shows us our sins, shapes our lives, and renews our character in accordance with God’s standards. He gives believers strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him. He equips us to serve in God’s mission for this world and to make known His greatness, love, and uniqueness in word and deed.
God’s Covenant and Baptism
We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
In this way, Baptism is a sign of God’s covenant of grace. We do not believe it saves anyone, but it is a sign of our need for grace. In the Old and New Covenants, the sign was given to those who believe and to their children.
The Church: One Body in Christ
We believe that the Church is the covenant people of God. Though the Church may appear divided by denomination, time, or distance, it is one body. Jesus Christ Himself is the head.
All who believe in Jesus Christ and profess it publicly belong to the worldwide Church. As the Church gathered, we are to worship, enjoy, and follow God. We do this through the preaching of God’s Word and the sacraments.
The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken and His blood spilled in our place. It is meant to nourish our faith and is an expression of belonging to and dependence upon Him.
Though we believe Jesus is spiritually present, the bread and wine do not change their substance but symbolically refer to the body and blood of Jesus.
Living for God’s Glory
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The Return of Christ and Final Judgment
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people unto Himself.
We believe that both believer and unbeliever will receive a resurrected body on the Last Day. At death, those who have confessed their guilt before God and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are fully forgiven. Their soul passes immediately into the presence of God.
Those who reject Jesus as Lord and forgiveness are eternally separated from God.