From our neighborhoods to all nations

Values

  • Our worship services are God-centered and Bible-saturated. When we gather, we strive to pray, sing, read, preach, and see God’s word (in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper).

    Example scriptures: Col. 4:2; Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-34; Heb. 12:28-29

  • Christ brings his people together from all socioeconomic, ethnic, and generational backgrounds. He creates unity in diversity. Only in Jesus do we find such a unique group loving and serving one another. We strive together, though imperfectly in this life, for this kind of community.

    John 13:34-35; Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 2:11-22; Eph. 4:1-6; Rev. 5:9-10

  • As we follow Jesus, we want to help others follow Jesus.

    Our church’s primary strategy for making the gospel known in Huntsville is not a program or an event. Our members live as ambassadors for Christ. We strive to share the gospel where we live, work, study, and play.

    We are also committed to growing to maturity in Christ and helping our brothers and sisters in the church grow too. Again, this is not always a formal process. Discipling one another is an intentional part of life together as a local church.

    We pray and strive to see the word of Christ increase from our neighborhoods to all nations.

    Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 4:11-16; Acts 19:20

  • God created work as part of his good creation. Though sin has corrupted work, we can still honor the Lord with our jobs and careers. We want to encourage and equip one another to live out our faith in our professional lives, for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors.

    Genesis 2:15; Prov. 16:3; Ps. 90:17; 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:23-24;

  • Jesus modeled love for disadvantaged and marginalized people of society. As his followers, we want to be compassionate to those in need. We want our calendars and our budgets to show care for orphans, widows, immigrants, prisoners, and the poor.

    Matt. 25:35-40; Luke 5:27-32; Luke 10:25-27; Ps. 68:5; Ps. 146:9; Is. 1:16-17; Jas. 1:27; Ex. 23:9; 1 John 3:17; Micah 6:8

Distinctive Beliefs

  • We affirm that the Bible teaches that God is entirely sovereign in salvation, and at the same time that we as human beings make real choices for which we are morally responsible. This is sometimes called Reformed soteriology. We believe this is good news because God is good and trustworthy.

    We understand that throughout history those who affirm God’s sovereignty in salvation have been accused of neglecting the Bible’s command to make disciples of all nations. However, we are convinced by Scripture and history that far from undermining missionary zeal, a conviction of God’s sovereignty in salvation is the fuel which drives us to proclaim the gospel to the world with unshakable confidence—knowing beyond doubt that God will open doors for gospel proclamation and then open hearts to repent and believe. 

  • We are Baptist in our understanding of baptism and membership.

    We affirm that baptism is the covenant sign of a Christian becoming part of God’s people, a church’s act of affirming a person’s profession of faith in Christ, and an individual’s public act of obedience declaring faith in Christ. Jesus commands his followers to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe baptism portrays union with Christ, displaying that we have been buried with him and have been raised to walk in newness of life. Normally, baptism also unites a Christian with a local church.

    We do not believe baptism itself saves. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

    We affirm that baptism is an act of obedience that all Christians should follow, and thus, the only proper candidates for membership in a local church are those who have been baptized as believers.

  • We affirm that the Bible teaches that men and women are both created in the image of God, are equal in dignity and value, and are worthy of respect. We believe that in his goodness and wisdom God has created men and women to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church.

    As it relates to the home, men bear a responsibility to lead their families spiritually in a Christlike and Christ-honoring manner. As it relates to the church, men and women can both be members and serve in a variety of roles; however, the role of elder is reserved for biblically qualified men.

  • We believe that the Bible teaches that the local church members hold final earthly authority in church matters. To protect the gospel witness of the church, members vote when the church receives or removes other members, affirms or removes elders, approves or rejects a yearly budget, and on any other matters elders recommend for a vote.

    We also believe that a local church should be led by a plurality of biblically qualified elders/pastors/overseers—recognizing that each term is a different name for the same office. The difference between being elder-led and elder-ruled is that our elders are accountable to the congregation.

Statement of Faith

ADAPTED FROM THE 1853 NEW HAMPSHIRE CONFESSION OF FAITH

  • We believe the Holy Bible was written by people who were divinely inspired, and that it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. God is its author, and in the whole counsel of his word he reveals all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life. The content of his word is truth without any mixture of error. Scripture reveals the principles by which God will judge us. Therefore, it is now, and will be to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard for evaluating all human conduct, creeds, and opinions. 

    Nm 23:19; Deut 4:1-2; Ps 19:7-10; 119:89; Prov 30:5-6; Is 40:8; Mt 5:17-18; Lk 21:33; 24:44-46; Jn 5:39; 17:17; Rom 2:12; 15:4; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Heb 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Pt 1:25; 2 Pt 1:19-21; 1 John 4:1*

    *Scripture citations are intended to serve as examples and not exhaustive lists or explanations.

  • We believe there is one and only one living and true God—an infinite, intelligent Spirit. His name is the LORD, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and is worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection, and they carry out distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. 

    John 4:24; Ps 83:18; Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Ps 147:5; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet 1:15-16; Rev 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev 4:11; Matt 10:37; Jer 2:12-13; Matt 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Phil 2:5-6; Eph 2:18; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4-5

  • We believe humanity is the special creation of God, made in his own image. God created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. The gift of marriage consists of the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime, and this gift models the way God relates to His people. God created the human race in holiness under his law. By voluntary transgression, however, humanity fell from that holy and happy state. As a result, all people are now sinners, not by external compulsion but by choice. They by nature entirely lack the holiness that is required by the law of God and are actively inclined to evil. Therefore, they are under just condemnation to a sentence of eternal ruin, without defense or excuse. 

    Gen 1:27; Gen 1:31; Gen 2:24-25; Matt 19:4-6; Eph 5:22-33; Eccl 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen 2:16-17; Gen 3:6-24; Rom 5:12; Rom 5:15-19; Ps 51:5; Rom 8:7; Isa 53:6; Gen 6:12; Rom 3:9-18; Eph 2:1-3; Rom 1:18, 32; Rom 2:1-16; Gal 3:10; Matt 20:15; Ezek 18:19-20; Rom 1:20; Rom 3:19; Gal 3:2

  • We believe the salvation of God’s people is completely by grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God. By the appointment of the Father, he freely took upon himself our nature but without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made a full atonement for our sins by his substitutionary death, satisfying God’s wrath. He rose from the dead and is now enthroned in heaven. Jesus, the Son, unites in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections and, as such, is qualified in every way to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior. 

    Eph 2:3; Matt 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Heb 4:14; Heb 12:24; Phil 2:9, 14; 2 Cor 5:21; Isa 42:21; Phil 2:8; Gal 4:4-5; Rom 3:21; Isa 53:4-5; Matt 20:28; Rom 4:25; Rom 3:21-26; 1 John 2:3; 1 Cor 15:1-3; Heb 9:13-15; Heb 1:8; Heb 1:3; Col 3:1-4; Heb 7:25; Col 2:18; Heb 7:26; Ps 89:19; Ps 34:1-22

  • We believe the great gospel blessing that Christ secures to those who believe in him is justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin, righteous standing before God and his people, and the promise of eternal life founded on principles of righteousness. It is not given because of any works of righteousness we have done but only through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. By virtue of this faith, his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God. Justification immediately brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing we need for time and eternity. 

    John 1:16; Eph 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11-12; Rom 5:1-2; Rom 5:9; Zech 13:1; Matt 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Pet 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom 5:21; Rom 4:4-5; Rom 6:23; Phil 3:7-9; Rom 5:19; Rom 3:24-26; Rom 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom 5:3; Rom 5:11; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Matt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:8

  • We believe the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a heartfelt, repentant, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which only magnifies his condemnation.

    Isa 55:1; Rev 22:17; Rom 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Rom 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matt 23:37; Rom 9:32; Prov 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt 11:20; Luke 10:27; 2 Thess 1:8

  • We believe sinners must be regenerated, or born again, in order to be saved. Regeneration consists of God’s gift of a new and holy disposition. It is accomplished in a way that is beyond our comprehension. It is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit using divine truth to obtain our voluntary obedience to the gospel. The proper evidence of regeneration appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life. 

    John 3:3; John 3:6-7; 1 Cor 3:14; Rev 14:3; Rev 21:27; 2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28-29; Rom 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; Jas 1:16-18; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:13; 1 Pet 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:9-11; Eph 5:9; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:16-23; Eph 3:14-21; Matt 3:8-10; Matt 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18; Eph 2:1-10

  • We believe repentance and faith are sacred duties as well as inseparable graces. They are produced in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, who convinces us of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and the way of salvation by Christ. They consist of turning to God with genuine sorrow, confession, and a petition for mercy; receiving heartily the Lord Jesus Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King; and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. 

    Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; Jas 4:7-10; 2 Cor 7:11; 1 Cor 10:12-13; Ps 51:1-19; Rom 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb 4:14; Ps 2:6; Heb 1:8; Heb 7:25; 2 Tim 1:12

  • We believe election is the eternal purpose of God according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. Election is perfectly consistent with human free agency and includes all the means in connection with the ends of salvation. It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, which is infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable. Election completely rules out boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and the active imitation of his free mercy. It encourages the greatest possible exercise of human responsibility. The election of individuals to life may be confirmed by its effects in everyone who truly believes the gospel. Election is the foundation of Christian assurance, and confirming our election deserves our greatest diligence. 

    2 Tim 1:8-9; Eph 1:3-14; 1 Pet 1:1-2; Rom 11:5-6; John 15;16; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex 33:18-19; Matt 20:15; Eph 1:11; Rom 9:23-24; Jer 31:3; Rom 11:28-29; Jas 1:17-18; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 11:32-36; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Rom 3:27; Rom 4:16; Col 3:12; 1 Cor 3:5-7; 1 Cor 15:10; 1 Pet 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Cor 9:22; Rom 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 1 Thess 1:4-10; Isa 42:16; Rom 11:29; 2 Pet 1:10-11; Phil 3:12; Heb 6:11

  • We believe sanctification is the process by which we are made partakers of God’s holiness, according to his purpose. Sanctification is a progressive work. It begins in regeneration and continues in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit—the Sealer and Comforter—by God’s appointed means. These means include the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer, and the oversight and fellowship of a local church. 

    1 Thess 4:3; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Cor 13:10; Phil 3:12-16; 1 John 2:29; Rom 8:5; Eph 1:4; Prov 4:18; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 6:1; 2 Pet 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil 1:9-11; Eph 1:13-14; Phil 2:12-13; Eph 4:11-12; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt 26:41; Eph 6:18; Eph 4:30

  • We believe all genuine believers endure to the end. Their persevering attachment to Christ and to his people are the primary mark distinguishing them from superficial professors. A special providence watches over their welfare, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

    John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom 8:28; Matt 6:30-33; Jer 32:40; Ps 121:3; Ps 91:11-12; Phil 1:6; Phil 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb1:14; 2 Kgs 6:16; Heb 13:5; 1 John 4:4

  • We believe the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral governance. It is holy, just, and good. Fallen human beings are unable to fulfill the precepts of the law, which the Scriptures attribute entirely to their love of sin. A chief purpose of the gospel is to deliver people from this love and to restore them through a mediator to a sincere obedience to the holy law. The visible church’s means of grace share this great purpose. 

    Rom 3:31; Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 7:12; Rom 7:7, 14-22; Gal 3:21; Ps 119:1-176; Rom 8:7-8; Josh 24:19; Jer 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom 8:2-4; Rom 10:4; 1 Tim 1:5; Heb 8:10; Jude 20-21

  • We believe a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, joined together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. A visible church observes the ordinances of Christ, submits to his laws, and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word. The only scriptural officers of the church are elders (also called overseers or pastors) and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and to Titus. 

    1 Cor 1:1-3; Matt 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; 1 Cor 4:17; 1 Cor 14:23; 1 Tim 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 5:12-13; 1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 3:6; Rom 16:17-20; 1 Cor 11:23-24; Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor 2:17; 1 Cor 4:17; Matt 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:7; 1 Cor 14:12; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1

  • We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a solemn and beautiful emblem that declares our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior as well as our union with him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. We likewise believe that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of gospel-preaching churches, following earnest self-examination, use bread and the cup in a sacred manner to commemorate together the love Christ displayed in his death. The ordinances belong to the gathered church, marking off believers from unbelievers and making the church visible on earth. 

    Acts 8:36-39; Matt 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Gal 3:26-28; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor 11:26; Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor 11:28; 1 Cor 5:1-8; 1 Cor 11:17-32; John 6:26

  • We believe the first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and points to the rest that awaits the people of God. It should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord's Day should align with the Christian's conscience under the lordship of Jesus Christ. 

    Acts 20:7; Gen 2:3; Col 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Ex 20:8; Rev 1:10; Ps 118:15, 24; Isa 58:13-14; Isa 56:2-8; Heb 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Lev 19:30; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3; Ps 26:8; Ps 87:3; Heb 4:3-11

  • We believe civil government exists by divine appointment for the benefit and good order of human society. Government officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed. The principal exception is for matters contrary to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. 

    Rom 13:1-7; Deut 16:18; 2 Sam 23:3; Ex 18:23; Jer 30:21; Matt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13; 1 Tim 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt 28:1-20; Dan 3:15-18; Dan 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt 23:10; Rom 14:4; Rev 19:16; Ps 72:11; Ps 2:1-12; Rom 14:9-13

  • We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the unrighteous. Only those who are justified by faith in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in his judgment. In contrast, all those who continue in rebellion and unbelief are unrighteous in his sight and under the curse. This distinction among people holds both at death and afterward. 

    Mal 3:18; Prov 12:26; Isa 5:20; Gen 18:23; Jer 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom 6:16; Rom 1:17; Rom 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Rom 6:18;22; 1 Cor 11:32; Prov 11:31; 1 Pet 4:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Gal 3:10; John 3:36; Isa 57:21; Ps 10:4; Isa 55:6-7; Prov 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; Eccl 3:17; Matt 7:13-14

  • We believe the end of the world is approaching. At the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. A solemn separation will then take place, in which the unrighteous will be sentenced to endless punishment and the righteous to endless joy. On principles of righteousness, this judgment will fix forever the final state of people in heaven or hell.

    1 Pet 4:7; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Heb 1:10-12; Matt 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt 28:20; Matt 13:39-40; 2 Pet 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7; Heb 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; 2 Tim 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt 13:49; Matt 13:37-43; Matt 24:30-31; Matt 25:31-46; Rev 22:11; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet 2:9; Jude 7; Phil 3:19; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor 4:18; Rom 3:5-6; 2 Thess 1:6-12; Heb 6:1-2; 1 Cor 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:2-16; Rev 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17; 2 Pet 3:11-12
Leadership
Sermons