With God as our authority, Jesus Christ as our example, and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we are committed to remain faithful to the following values:
- Worship:
Adoring God the Father, exalting Jesus Christ, and submitting to the Holy Spirit
- Discipleship:
Growing in our relationship with Jesus, our obedience to God's Word, and our service to the Lord.
- Fellowship:
Cultivating healthy relationships with those in our church family by practicing the "one anothers" of scripture.
- Outreach:
Serving our community and world with the love and message of Jesus Christ.
Bible
The sole basis of our belief is the Bible—the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe Scripture in its entirety originated with God and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are infallible and inerrant; they are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
The Trinity
We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, God demonstrated His power, wisdom, and goodness by creating the world and everything in it. Through His divine power and providence, God continues to sustain His creation, operating within history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
God the Father
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Jesus Christ
God the Son is the second Person of the Trinity. He is God incarnate, yet human. He lived a sinless life, died to make atonement for the sins of all humankind, was bodily resurrected, and is now mediator at the right hand of the Father. He is assuredly coming in power and glory for His believing followers, and He is the only Savior of humanity.
Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement, regenerating all who repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He sanctifies, empowers, teaches, guides, and comforts believers.
Salvation
Salvation is the result of genuine repentance of sin and faith in the atoning work of Christ. It brings forgiveness to the penitent, makes him a partaker of divine nature, and gives peace with God. We call this new birth.
Church
All who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are united with Him as members of His body, the one true church. Scripture commands believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and the teaching of the Word; to observe Baptism and Communion as established by Jesus Christ; to offer service to the body through development and use of talents and gifts and outreach to the world. The local expression of the church is wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command. Church members are to work together in love and unity for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Ordinances
We believe that there are two Christian ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe they are outward rites appointed by Christ to be administered in each church, not as a means of salvation, but as a visible sign and seal of its reality (Acts 8:36; 1 Corinthians 11:24-34).
NOTE: For a more complete explanation of our doctrinal statement and positions on various topics go to https://mcusa.org/constitutionaldocs