While the paragraphs below express what we believe, doctrinal statements in and of themselves are not the best way to get to know a community. They tend to put people in boxes—oh, you’re that kind of person (or organization). Moreover, they can reinforce one of the weaknesses too often seen in the church today. As long as you believe the “right things” (according to “our” list), you’re okay (no matter how you live).

Rather, we think the best way to know what we believe is to come among us and see how we live. Do we love God and others wholeheartedly? Is it our mission in life to join together to become more like Christ and share his love with others? Do we dwell in the Word and let the Word and Spirit transform us? Do we care for the poor and downtrodden? Do we embrace others who embrace Christ?

Biblical is a community that affirms a generous orthodoxy in the Reformed tradition. We are in dialogue with the church past and present, so that we, by God’s grace, can incarnate the story of Jesus with humility and authenticity, communicate the story with fidelity to Scripture and appreciation of the Christian tradition, and respond with sensitivity to the needs and aspirations of postmodern culture.

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The sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God, the complete revelation of his will for the salvation of human beings. They are true in all that they affirm and without error as originally written, the only infallible and sufficient rule for faith and life.

The one true and living God, who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, reveals himself in the Bible and the world as Creator, Preserver, and sovereign Ruler of all things. He is infinite in his wisdom and knowledge, almighty in his power, unchangeable in his love, and righteous in all his ways.

Adam and Eve were created in God’s image to have fellowship with him. Tempted by Satan, they rebelled against God and were alienated from him. As a result they and their descendants became guilty, subject to sin’s power, inclined toward disobedience to God’s law, and unable to please God apart from his saving grace.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, while remaining fully divine became fully human through a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and died a substitutionary death, thereby reconciling to God all who believe in him and ensuring their salvation from sin and its results. He achieved victory over death and the powers of evil, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended into heaven where, as the only mediator between God and humanity, he continually intercedes for his people.

The Holy Spirit of God implements the purposes of God. He applies the saving work of Christ to sinful human beings, giving them new life, bringing them into fellowship with God, and equipping them for godly living and service.

Salvation is deliverance from alienation, guilt, bondage, and death, as well as restoration to fellowship, righteousness, freedom, and life, for all who trust in Jesus Christ and him alone. It originates in and is sustained by God’s sovereign and loving grace apart from any human merit, is based solely on Christ’s saving work, is received by faith alone, and is expressed in a lifetime of developing holiness, obedience, and love.

The Church is the Body of Christ, the community of all believers who are united to Christ and to one another by the Holy Spirit. The Church is called to
worship God and to demonstrate his gracious character in the world by proclaiming the gospel, making disciples from all nations, observing baptism and the Lord’s supper, maintaining the unity and purity of the Body, and seeking to apply the truths of Scripture to the needs of all people.

At the close of this age Christ will return to raise the dead, establish his kingdom on earth, and judge all people. The unrighteous will experience everlasting conscious suffering in hell, but the righteous will experience everlasting life and fellowship with God in heaven.