Preamble

We confess and acknowledge that all truth proceeds from God, who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Governor of all things.

This confession is set forth in order to declare the doctrinal convictions that guide the reflections and writings presented on this website.

In making this confession we willingly stand within the fellowship of the historic Christian Church and within the doctrinal heritage of the Reformed churches.

Of Holy Scripture

We believe and confess that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, given by divine inspiration through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Scripture is therefore:

• the perfect rule of faith and life
• the supreme authority in matters of doctrine
• sufficient for the knowledge of salvation.

All teachings, traditions, and human opinions must be tested by the authority of Scripture.

Therefore we affirm that the Word of God alone is the final judge of all controversies of religion.

Of God and the Holy Trinity

We believe and confess that there is one only living and true God, eternal, infinite, and unchangeable.

In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons:

• the Father
• the Son
• the Holy Spirit.

These three are one God, equal in power, glory, and majesty.

God alone is the creator of heaven and earth and governs all things according to the counsel of His eternal will.

Of Creation

We confess that God created all things visible and invisible by the word of His power.

All creation was made good and ordered for the glory of God.

Human beings were created in the image of God and endowed with knowledge, righteousness, and holiness.

Of the Fall of Man

By the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, sin entered into the world.

Through this fall the human race became subject to corruption, misery, and death.

All people are therefore sinners by nature and incapable of restoring themselves to righteousness before God.

Of Jesus Christ

We believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who for our salvation took upon Himself true human nature.

He was:

• conceived by the Holy Spirit
• born of the Virgin Mary
• perfectly obedient to the law of God.

He offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin upon the cross and thereby made full satisfaction for the sins of His people.

On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

From there He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

Of Justification and Salvation

We confess that sinners are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

No person can obtain righteousness before God by works, merit, or human effort.

Justification is the gracious act of God whereby He pardons our sins and accepts us as righteous for the sake of Christ.

This righteousness is received by faith, which itself is the gift of God.

Of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son and applies the work of Christ to believers.

The Spirit:

• regenerates the hearts of the elect
• grants faith and repentance
• sanctifies the people of God.

By the power of the Spirit believers are united to Christ and enabled to live in obedience to God.

Of the Church

We confess that the Church is the assembly of those who belong to Jesus Christ, called out of the world by the Gospel.

Christ alone is the head of the Church.

The marks of the true Church are:

• the faithful preaching of the Word of God
• the right administration of the sacraments
• the exercise of church discipline.

The Church exists for the worship of God and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Of the Kingdom of Christ

We confess that the Lord Jesus Christ reigns as King over all creation.

His kingdom is spiritual and eternal, yet its authority extends over all nations and peoples.

Therefore believers are called to live faithfully in every sphere of life under the lordship of Christ.

Of the Last Judgment

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory at the end of the age.

At His coming:

• the dead shall be raised
• the world shall be judged in righteousness
• the redeemed shall inherit eternal life
• God shall renew heaven and earth.

Of the Confessions of the Church

In making this confession we gladly stand in continuity with the historic confessions of the Christian Church, including:

• the Apostles’ Creed
• the Nicene Creed
• the Athanasian Creed.

Within the Reformed tradition we recognize the doctrinal witness of:

• the Heidelberg Catechism
• the Belgic Confession
• the Canons of Dort
• the Westminster Confession of Faith.

These confessions are subordinate to Scripture yet serve as faithful summaries of biblical doctrine.

Final Declaration

Therefore we confess that all things exist from God, through God, and unto God, and that the whole purpose of life is to glorify Him.

As the Apostle declares:

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be glory forever.”
— Romans 11:36

Motto

X4J6

Everything for Jesus