A. Christian
We are “Christians” which distinguishes us from other world religions and cults. Therefore, we adhere to historical Christian orthodoxy as found in the Apostles’ Creed. We also embrace and adopt the historic Nicene and Chalcedonian creeds. These creeds are chosen because of the historic primacy in Christian belief and their effectiveness in addressing heresy.
B. Reformational
The essential biblical truths that we teach as a church are consistent with the fundamental teaching of the Protestant Reformation, which is why we identify ourselves as “reformational”. This is not to say that we wish to perpetuate the division and animosity aroused by the disputes of the Reformation. It is to say, however, that we are committed to the emphasis of the Reformation on salvation by grace and not by works. Moreover, we hold to the absolute and governing authority of the Bible. This means that the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments have the final say on the truth or falsity of any doctrinal claim.There are five historic statements that come from the Reformation which are known as the “Great Sola’s” of the Protestant churches (“sola” is the Latin word for “only”, so they may be called the “Great Only’s”). These five foundational statements are widely considered to express the biblical truths recovered and restored in the Reformation and, as such, they are central to our own core beliefs. In this sense we, as a church, are fundamentally Protestant and Reformational, and we unashamedly champion these biblical truths.
C. Evangelical
By “evangelical” we mean that we ascribe, as a church, to the doctrinal conviction that the means by which God has chosen to save people is the proclamation of the Gospel (in contrast to salvation through membership in a church or participation in sacraments such as baptism or communion). This term evangelical also communicates our conviction that Scripture commands and instructs us regarding our individual and corporate responsibility of reaching the lost and preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, both in our words and in our deeds.
D. Charismatic
By “charismatic” we mean that we are committed to the present day demonstration of the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in the first epistle to the Corinthians and in the Book of Acts. Our posture is not just one of tolerating these giftings, but of actively encouraging the exercise of such in our public gatherings as the Holy Spirit inspires and directs their use. It is also an affirmation of the Holy Spirit’s role as Comforter, Counselor, and Teacher. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and will lead his people into truth (Jesus being “The Truth”) and will do so without contradicting His own word.Furthermore, we believe there are many experiences in the believer’s life which are valid encounters with God, the Holy Spirit, which are separate and distinct from the initial indwelling work of the Spirit at our conversion. These ongoing encounters with the Holy Spirit have been scripturally and historically known as being “Filled with the Holy Spirit” or “The baptism of the Holy Spirit”. We believe that as Christians we are to be continually “filled with the Holy Spirit”, and that an on going relationship with the third person of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit) will produce greater commitment to God’s will, greater conformity to His character, greater realization of His power in and through our lives, and greater edification of His Church.
E. Apostolic
The objective of the apostles in the New Testament was to see churches planted and protect the church from heresy. By “apostolic” we believe that we are called to not only reach the lost by preaching the good news of Jesus Christ, but to also equip local churches to reproduce themselves in other locations, in accordance with the New Testament. The term “apostolic” also carries with it an understanding that God has given that five-fold ministry gift to the body, and that it is functional today.