We believe that the Bible, comprising the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is God’s inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word. It is the final authority on matters of doctrine and life. It is the Holy Spirit who sovereignly applies the Gospel, by working repentance and faith, to the hearts of God’s chosen, covenant people.
The Head of the church is Jesus Christ, who has appointed officers for the care and nurture of His body. The Consistory (the pastor, elders, and deacons) are the elected by the congregation to care for its temporal needs. The Spiritual Council (pastor and elders) provide for the true preaching of the Word, the proper administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the faithful exercise of Christian discipline.
The confessional standards of our church to which we subscribe are the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), the Belgic Confessions of Faith (1561), and the Canons of Dordt (1619). These “Three Forms of Unity” are faithful, systematic, summary expressions of the truths of historic, orthodox Christianity. There are links to these Confessions under the “Resources” tab.
There is only one name under heaven, given among men, whereby we are saved
—Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. By His sacrificial death on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins. By His perfect life, He merited for us the righteousness required by God, which is imputed to our account by true faith. We understand from Scripture that even this faith is a gift from the sovereign hand of God. Furthermore, righteous and holy lives of thanksgiving, which God requires of us, are the result of the gracious sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
We trust in the power and grace of God to cause us to persevere in true faith until the glorious appearing of our Lord, who will come to judge the living and the dead and make our mortal bodies like unto His glorified body — to live and to reign with Him forever.
Following the command of our Lord, we call all men to repent of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation and to faithfully and thankfully serve Him in fellowship with other believers. We welcome you to join us in this worship and service.
Here are some highlights of the doctrines we hold dear:
1. The Bible is the authoritative Word of God for faith and life. Every word and thought is “God-breathed” and therefore inerrant, infallible, and eternally preserved. Hence the Bible alone is the only standard for faith and life.
2. There is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the sovereign creator and Ruler of the universe, sustaining and preserving all creation by His eternal counsel and providence. God has chosen his people in Christ unto Salvation without any merit of man.
3. All men, by the sin of Adam and Eve, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, making them enslaved to sin and to Satan. Adam’s sin has totally corrupted all men and every part of human nature. Being thus depraved in body and soul, men are eternally condemned by the just judgment of God.
4. The Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. He was born of the virgin Mary, crucified, dead and buried. He rose bodily from the dead and is now reigning at the right hand of God the Father. Christ has died for all whom the Father has given to Him and fully accomplished all that is necessary for their salvation through his active and passive obedience.
5. Sinful men are saved from eternal condemnation by the grace of God alone, through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. The grace of God’s Holy Spirit is necessary and sovereign if we are to believe. Hence, God alone should receive all the glory from beginning to end. For Christians, Jesus Christ is the only Savior and the Sovereign Lord over every part of their lives. God preserves his people in the faith unto everlasting life.
6. The church is the body of professsing Christians and their children. The church is distinguished by the pure preaching of the Word of God, the proper administration of the sacraments, and the faithful exercise of Christian discipline.
7. Jesus Christ will return again bodily to earth as Judge of all men and to receive His church. All men will be raised from the dead and he will separate believers from unbelievers. Unbelievers will be punished forever in hell. He will then consumate His Kingdom of believers which will replace all the kingdoms of this world.