CLC Statement of Faith
What We're Believing Together

Our statement of faith doesn't cover every jot and tittle, but is broadly gospel-centered, protestant, evangelical, baptistic, and charismatic. If those words don't mean anything to you, don't worry about it,they're spelled out below. 

If you'd like more clarity on any of these statements,  please contact any of our elders. 

God
"You shall have no other gods before me."

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.

 

The Scriptures
"...sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.

Humanity
"...in the image of God He created them..."

We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Messiah can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.

The Person of Messiah
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."

We believe that Jesus Messiah is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

The Work of Messiah
"...for all fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Messiah Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."

We believe that Messiah Jesus, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.

 

The Holy Spirit
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Messiah and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers* believers for to imitate Messiah's life and service.  

DISTINCTIVE | *We believe in the continuation of spiritual gifts. These gifts should be earnestly desired for the building up of the body to the glory of God.

The Church
"I will build my church, and the gates of Sheol shall not prevail against it."

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith in Messiah. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Messiah, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism* and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

DISTINCTIVE | *We believe baptism to be by immersion after belief.

Discipleship
"...whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.

Messiah's Return
"...living self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..."

We believe in the personal, bodily, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.

 

Gospel Response
"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."

We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heavens and earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

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