Our Mission
We exist to glorify God
By knowing Jesus, and making Him known,
To bring the joy of Christ to all people.
“We exist to glorify God…”
The Scripture teaches us that we are to do all things for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31) because “from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Rom. 11:36). He is the source of life. He is life. All of human history is marching toward the day when all things, in heaven and earth, will be united in him (Eph. 1:10). Jesus' local church is meant to be a foretaste of that day. Therefore, as Jesus’ people, we are moved and motivated by his glory (i.e. his incomparable worth) and seek to display it in our everyday lives, individually and corporately.
“By knowing Jesus…”
In God’s word, the Bible, knowing refers to a relationship of deep belonging. That is why Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn. 17:3). The focus of the gospel is relationship with God, in Jesus. Similarly, in John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” In fact, central to the new covenant secured by Jesus is knowing God. God promises that those, in Christ “shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” (Heb. 8:11). The Apostle John says, “By this we know we have come to know [Jesus], that we obey his commandments” (1 Jn. 2:3-4) Or, “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning” (1 Jn. 2:13). Or, “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding , so that we know him who is true” (1 Jn. 5:20). Being a Christian means knowing Jesus—a relationship of deep belonging. Another way to say this is captured by the greatest of all commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mt. 22:37).
“and making Him known…”
If “knowing Jesus” points to the great commandment, then “making him known” points to the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20. That passage contains Jesus’ final great mission for his disciples, just prior to his ascent into heaven. However, this mission was not only for them. This mission is for us, as well. Jesus clearly expected this mission to continue beyond the lives of his first disciples as it encompasses “all nations…to the end of the age.” Their mission is our mission—and his mission continues. What is the mission? According to this passage, the primary imperative is to “make disciples” (μαθητεύσατε). How are we to make disciples? There are three participles supporting the imperative of disciple-making: “going” (πορευθέντες), “baptizing” (βαπτίζοντες), and “teaching” (διδάσκοντες). In other words, the Church’s mission is carried out as as we (1) “go” about living sent lives spreading the good news of Jesus, (2) “baptize” new believers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and (3) “teach” Jesus’ people to walk in his ways. We are sent on this mission by Jesus himself—across the street and around the world. We carry out this mission in his name, under his all-encompassing authority, trusting in his ongoing presence, taking his gospel to “all nations,” until his appearance at the end of the age. This mission could be summarized simply as “making him known.”
“To bring the joy of Christ”
The Christian life is not one of joyless drudgery. The world needs to know that. God is not boring or a killjoy. He is not cold, aloof, nor standoffish. The gospel of Jesus reveals that he is a God of love, power, and beauty. Our town needs to know that. We love and follow the One at whose right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11). Jesus came that our “joy may be full” (Jn. 15:11; cf. 16:24). Just as the gospel first spread throughout the Mediterranean, there was great joy (Acts 8:8; 13:52), so it is today. The kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness and peace and joy (Rom. 14:17). One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy (Gal. 5:22). The Apostle Paul saw his ministry as one of working for the joyful steadfastness of others in Christ (2 Cor. 1:24). Our world is hungering for the joy that is found in Jesus alone!
“to all people.”
The Bible reveals that the fully inaugurated Kingdom of God will consist of a “great multitude that no one [can] number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9). In other words, the gospel is not meant for just one group of people, but for all people. Though not all people will be saved (see Romans 9), we still want all people to hear the offer of the gospel of Jesus. In the end, God’s redeemed people will be a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-national, multi-millennial people. We want all people to know the joy of being forgiven, reconciled and adopted by God, in Jesus. Therefore, we seek to be a diverse people that display something of the gospel-forged diversity of the Kingdom to come as we spread the gospel as far-and-wide as possible, while starting in our town of Union.
Statement of Faith
Scriptures
We believe the Bible is God's absolute, objective truth for all people for all times.' It is without error in concept or detail in the original writings. It is breathed out in its entirety by God, divinely preserved, and, therefore, completely trustworthy. We believe the Holy Spirit superintended human authors so that, through their individual personalities and literary styles, they composed and recorded God's Word. It is God's written revelation complete in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. It is the supreme authority in all matters to which it speaks and is sufficient for life, conduct, and practice - understandable by every believer. We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation, and applied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.7
The Triune God
We believe in the one personal, transcendent, immanent, living God - the creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler of all things. He is self-existent, immutable, and works all things according to the counsel of His will in order to bring glory to Himself.9 God's foreknowledge is exhaustive and not dependent on human decisions and actions. 10 He eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 11 They execute distinct but harmonious roles in creation, providence, redemption, and consummation.12 They are equal in nature, attributes, and perfections. 13 The holy triune God is worthy of our worship, confidence, and obedience. 14
The Father
We believe in God the Father: one in essence with the Son and the Spirit.15 He is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in all His attributes. 16 We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ."7 His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with the redeemed.18 Everything He does is in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty does not eliminate or minimize human responsibility. 19
The Son
We believe in God the Son: one in essence with the Father and the Spirit.20 He is the one and only eternal Son of God, the preeminent revelation of God.21 At the right time He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-slave.22 He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary as Jesus, the Christ – fully God and fully man.23 We believe in His sinless life. His voluntary submission to His Father's will that culminated in His substitutionary death on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection.24 He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.25 His death on the cross atoned for our sin and satisfied the righteous demands of the holy God.26 He is the Mediator between God and man.27 He is Prophet, Priest, and King; the Head and Savior of His Church; the Heir of all things; the Judge of all the world, and the exact representation of God the Father.28 We believe in the personal return of Christ for His Church and in the establishment of His Kingdom on earth.29
The Holy Spirit
We believe in God the Holy Spirit: one in essence with the Father and Son.30 He was sent by God the Father and God the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.31 The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ's work of redemption and baptism.32 He regenerates, baptizes, seals, gifts, and indwells all believers at conversion, and progressively sanctifies them throughout their earthly lives. 33 The Spirit fills, leads, comforts, and intercedes for believers, empowering them for godly living and service.34 His presence is evident by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of believers into the body of Christ, the Church.35
Mankind
We believe God originally created persons, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. 36 We believe all people are sinners by nature and choice and are spiritually dead.37 We also believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.38 We believe God established marriage to be a lifelong covenant relationship between one man and one woman.39 Marriage so defined is the only permissible context for intimate sexual expression and is the foundation for human family.40 We further believe that life is precious and should be protected from beginning, at fertilization, until death.41
Sin
We believe that sin is any action, inaction, or attitude that is contrary to the nature or Word of God, which constitutes a rejection of His authority, resulting in alienation from God.42 Sin entered the world when Adam, representing humanity, disobeyed God.43 As a result of the one sin of Adam, his descendants - the whole human race - are separated from relationship with God, spiritually dead, and therefore in a fallen state. Being sinners by nature and choice and utterly unable to remedy their lost condition, humanity is in need of salvation.44
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God, received by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.45 We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, and is received by faith apart from any human merit, works, or ritual.48 Regeneration is effected through the work of the Holy Spirit in God's elect.47 All who repent and believe in Jesus Christ are forgiven of all their sins, justified in God's sight by the merit of Christ's righteousness, adopted into His family, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and have equal access to God.48 As a result, the progressive sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit leads to a newness of life that is evidenced by righteous living, good works, and biblical social concern, or God's corrective discipline.49 The consummation of salvation is that those who have accepted God's gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ shall be resurrected and glorified." They shall receive their inheritance in the Kingdom of their Father, whom they shall see and enjoy throughout the ages.51
Church
We believe that the New Testament Church is composed of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit since the day of Pentecost following Christ's resurrection 52 We believe that the Church is the spiritual body of Christ, of which He is the Head.53 We believe that this body expresses itself in local assemblies in which believers are in a covenant relationship.54 Biblically that relationship is expressed corporately through hearing the Word of God proclaimed, engaging in worship, practicing the two ordinances of believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, building up each other's faith, holding each other accountable through biblical love and discipline, and engaging in local and world evangelization.55 Biblically designated officers must meet the biblical qualifications for their office and submit to the headship of Christ, emulating His servant leadership,56 We believe the function of eldering is reserved for biblically qualified males.57 Each local church is to choose, support, and submit to those who function as elders. 58
Angels
We believe God created angels as spirit-beings possessing power and intellect, to worship and serve Him and to minister to believers.59 Satan is a fallen angel who masquerades as an angel of light.60 The scope of Satan's power is subject to God's will.61 By subjecting Adam and Eve to temptation and sin, Satan has extended his rebellion against God, which he continues by deceit, seduction, and destruction.82 While Satan and his demons are powerful, they are subject to Christ's authority and judgment.63 Satan and his demons have been defeated for eternity by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, sealing their everlasting damnation.64 At the time of final judgment, they will be consigned to eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.85
Last Things
We believe in the sudden, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Millennial Kingdom.66 He will return with His saints from heaven with power and great glory, on a day known only to God.67 We believe that those who have accepted God's gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, at the point of physical death, enter into God's eternal glory. 68 They shall be resurrected and transformed to His body of glory, and they shall receive their inheritance of glory in the Kingdom of their Father.69 They shall be made fully blessed in the presence and service of God, whom they shall see and enjoy throughout the ages. 70 We believe that all unsaved persons, at the point of physical death, are destined for eternal damnation.71 They will be resurrected, separated from the righteous, judged, and cast into an existence of eternal punishment where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever when death and Hades is cast into the Lake of Fire.72 We believe it is imperative for the Church to work and wait in sober watchfulness, that it may be found ready at His coming.73
Footnotes
1: 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 25:10; 33:4; 119:160; John 17:17; Titus 1:2-3
2: John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16
3: Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21
4: 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Peter 1:20-21
5: Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:11-12; Revelation 22:18-19
6: Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:17-19; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 14:17, 37; 2 Timothy 3:15-17
7: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:20
8: Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 83:18; 139:1,7-10; Isaiah 6:1; 33:10; 40:22; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 3:4; James 2:19
9: Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 19:1; 33:9-10; 102:26-27; Psalm 104; Isaiah 14:24; Malachi 3:6; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11; James 1:17
10: Romans 8:29-30; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-17; 147:5; John 6:64; Isaiah 40:13
11: Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:5-6
12: Genesis 1:1-2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; John 1:3; 5:17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; Colossians 1:16-17
13: John 10:30; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6
14: Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 2:12-13; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11
15: Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 8:6
16: Exodus 3:14; John 4:24; 14:7
17: Psalm 8:4-6; Matthew 1:21; 5:45; 6:26-32; 10:29-31; Romans 7:24-25; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 3:12
18: Matthew 6:1, 4; 10:20; John 20:17, 21; 17:1; Ephesians 1:2-3; Colossians 1:2-3
19: Romans 1:18-20; 8:29; Colossians 1:10
20: Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14
21: John 1:1; 8:58; Philippians 2:5-6; Revelation 1:8
22: Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:6-7
23: Matthew 1:20; 9:2; 12:8; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30; 14:7; Romans 9:5;2 Corinthians 5:19; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:3
24: Luke 19:10; Hebrews 4:15
25: Acts 1:9; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1
26: Isaiah 53:4-12; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; 1 John 2:2; 4:10
27: John 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; 12:24, 1 Timothy 2:5
28: Psalm 2:6; Acts 3:22-23; Romans 10:9-11; Hebrews 1:3, 8; 4:14; 8:2-5
29: Psalm 2:6; Zechariah 14:4, 16; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 11:15; 20:4
30: John 15:26; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
31: John 16:8-11
32: John 3:5; 16:14; Acts 1:5; Romans 8:2-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13
33: John 3:5; 14:17; Acts 19:5-6; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 12:4-31; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Hebrews 13:5; Jude 24-25
34: Exodus 31:3; 1 Samuel 16:13; Joel 2:28-29; John 14:26; 16:13; Acts 2:17-18; 4:31; 6:5; 9:31; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 5:18
35: Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:22; 3:14-21; 1 John 5:4
36: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7, 22, 25; 3:1-19; 5:1-2; 9:6; Psalm 100:3; 119:73; Isaiah 43:7; 45:12; Acts 17:26; Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9
37: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-18, 23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 5; Colossians 2:13
38: John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5-8; Acts 11:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:10; Titus 3:5-7
39: Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Timothy 3:2
40: Genesis 1:27-28; 9:1; Malachi 2:14-16; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4
41: Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:31, 34-36, 41, 44
42: Leviticus 4:27; Matthew 5:28; James 4:17
43: Romans 5:12, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 44 Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22 45 Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 28; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:5, 8
46: John 6:44; Acts 13:48; Romans 4:4-5; 6:23; 8:29-30; 11:5-6; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:8-9; Philippians 3:7-9; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 John 4:10
47: John 1:13; 3:3, 5-8; Acts 11:18; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:10-11; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:13; Titus 3:5-7; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 John 4:7
48: Acts 10:43; 13:39; Romans 1:15-17, 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 5:1-2, 9, 11, 17, 19, 21; 8:1; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13-14; Titus 3:5-7
49: Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:21; 7:1; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:26-27; Philippians 2:12-13; 3:12-16; Colossians 1:28-29; 3:5-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 12:7-11, 14; 2 Peter 1:3, 5-8; 3:18
50: John 5:25-29; Acts 24:14-15; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 John 2:25; Revelation 20:5-6
51: 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 21:6-7; 22:3-5
52: Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16
53: 1 Corinthians 12:27; Colossians 1:18
54: 1 Corinthians 12:27
55: Matthew 18:15-17; 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; John 3:22; 4:1-2; Acts 2:38, 41-42, 47; 8:12, 36-39; 16:32-34; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Ephesians 4:11-13
56: Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:7-9
57: Titus 1:5-6; 1 Peter 5:1-3
58: Acts 6:3-6; 15:22; Hebrews 13:17
59: Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20; Matthew 4:10
60: Ezekiel 28:13-16; Luke 10:18; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Revelation 12:7-9
61: Job 1:6-7, 12; John 14:30; 16:11
62: Genesis 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
63: Philippians 2:10; James 4:7; 1 Peter 3:22; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:12-14; 5:18; Revelation 20:10
64: John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Romans 16:20
65: Revelation 20:10
66: Mark 13:32-37; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:2-6
67: Matthew 24:30, 36; 25:31; Mark 13:32-37; John 14:3; Titus 2:13
68: John 10:28; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Hebrews 9:27
69: Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:25-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:5-6; 21:6-7
70: 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 22:3-5
71: Hebrews 9:27
72: Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:25-29; Acts 24:14-15; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:10; 21:8
73: Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Hebrews 10:25