STATEMENT OF FAITH
Along with our guiding principles and core beliefs affirmed in the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed, the association abides by a Statement of Faith, which is the cornerstone of the organization.
We affirm the following:
The First Church is Associated with The Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches. You can find the association and the full statement of faith by clicking the button below. An expanded description and scriptural basis for our beliefs can also be read below this link.
We affirm the following:
- The Trinitarian name of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- God has revealed Himself fully and decisively as attested in Holy Scripture. We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. The Scriptures are the guide of faith and life.
- There is only one way to salvation – through Jesus Christ.
- The sanctity of human life at every stage based on our creation in the image of God and our election by God for service in His kingdom.
- The Biblical guidelines for human sexuality: marriage as the union of one man and one woman, chastity outside of marriage, lifelong fidelity and holiness in marriage for the sake of the Kingdom.
- That the mission of the Church is to spread the good news of the Gospel of salvation in every word and deed. We are sent by Christ into all the world to bring every person into a life of faith, discipleship and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The First Church is Associated with The Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches. You can find the association and the full statement of faith by clicking the button below. An expanded description and scriptural basis for our beliefs can also be read below this link.
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 89, Psalm 105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, John 5:39, John 16:13-15, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 89, Psalm 105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, John 5:39, John 16:13-15, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16
THE TRINITY
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, John 5:21-23, John 14:10, John 14:16, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8-10, James 2:19
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, John 5:21-23, John 14:10, John 14:16, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8-10, James 2:19
THE FATHER
God is great—He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. God is good; He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14, Numbers 23:19, Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Psalm 11:4-6, Malachi 3:6, John 3:16, John 4:24, John 5:26, Acts 17:28, Romans 3:3-4
Exodus 3:14, Numbers 23:19, Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Psalm 11:4-6, Malachi 3:6, John 3:16, John 4:24, John 5:26, Acts 17:28, Romans 3:3-4
THE SON
Jesus Christ is completely human, but at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life.
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 8:29, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 28:5-6, Luke 22:70, Luke 24:46-47, John 1:1, John 14, John 10:30, John 11:25-27, John 17:1-5, Acts 1:9; Acts 2:22-24, Acts 7:55-56, Romans 1:3-4, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 8:1-3, Romans 10:4, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Galatians 4:4-5, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 Timothy 3:16
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 8:29, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 28:5-6, Luke 22:70, Luke 24:46-47, John 1:1, John 14, John 10:30, John 11:25-27, John 17:1-5, Acts 1:9; Acts 2:22-24, Acts 7:55-56, Romans 1:3-4, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 8:1-3, Romans 10:4, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Galatians 4:4-5, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 Timothy 3:16
THE HOLY SPIRIT
His presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2, Psalm 51:11, Psalm 139:7, Isaiah 61:1-3, Joel 2:28-32, Mark 1:10, Luke 1:35, Luke 4:1, Luke 11:13, Luke 12:12, John 15:26, John 16:7-14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 13:2, Romans 8:9-11, Romans 8:4-16, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Peter 1:21, Revelation 22:17
Genesis 1:2, Psalm 51:11, Psalm 139:7, Isaiah 61:1-3, Joel 2:28-32, Mark 1:10, Luke 1:35, Luke 4:1, Luke 11:13, Luke 12:12, John 15:26, John 16:7-14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 13:2, Romans 8:9-11, Romans 8:4-16, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Peter 1:21, Revelation 22:17
THE FALL OF MAN
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119: 105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, John 5:39, John 16:13-15, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119: 105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, John 5:39, John 16:13-15, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16
SALVATION
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 53:5-6, Isaiah 55:7, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 27:22-28:6, Luke 1:68-69, Luke 2:28-32, John 1:12, John 3:16, John 5:24, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:12, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 1:16-18, Romans 3:23-25, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 5:6, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 9:24-28, Revelation 3:20
Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 53:5-6, Isaiah 55:7, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 27:22-28:6, Luke 1:68-69, Luke 2:28-32, John 1:12, John 3:16, John 5:24, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:12, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 1:16-18, Romans 3:23-25, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 5:6, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 9:24-28, Revelation 3:20
THE CHURCH
The Church is a local community of born-again believers, unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19, Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 5:11-14, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, Acts 16:5, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, 1 Corinthians 9:12, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:10-12, Ephesians 5:22-32, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 3:15, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Revelation 21:2-3
Matthew 16:18-19, Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 5:11-14, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, Acts 16:5, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, 1 Corinthians 9:12, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:10-12, Ephesians 5:22-32, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 3:15, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Revelation 21:2-3
COMMUNION
We take communion as a sign of our relationship with Jesus. This is a unique time of reverence in the presence of God when the elements of bread and juice represent the body and the blood of Jesus. These elements are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
SO THAT ALL PEOPLE WILL EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF CHRIST