Statement of Faith: Humanity

           Humanity came into existence by direct creation of God and that humanity is uniquely made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God created the universe and all that is in it by his creative effort.  God brought the universe into existence by the exertion of his will.   Adam and Eve were real people, created by God just as Genesis says.   We believe that all humanity, because of Adam's fall, has inherited a sinful nature, that all human beings choose to sin (Romans 3:23), and sin is eternally offensive to God (Romans 6:23). Humanity is utterly unable to remedy this fallen state (Ephesians 2:1-5,12).  Man is fallen, corrupt, and wicked.


           Man believes in God by God's grace through faith (John 6:28-29;15:5; Phil. 1:29), is unable to come close to God through his own efforts (John 6:44; Rom. 3:10-12), he cannot be born again of his own will (John 1:13), he cannot understand and see the spiritual things of God on his own (1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:7), he cannot earn salvation by his attempt at good works (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:1-6), once saved he cannot maintain his salvation by his works (Gal. 3:1-3).

           Eternal punishment in hell and separation from the presence of God are the consequences of the unregenerate person's sinfulness who has not trusted in the redemptive sacrificial work of Christ on the cross (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 6:23).

           Free will is the ability of a conscious being to be able to make choices that are not coerced or forced.  All people possess free will and exercise it according to the conditions revealed about it per the scriptures (1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 6:14-20).  Free will choices require the ability to be aware of a choice to be made.  Free will does not necessitate the option of choosing between good and bad; otherwise, God would not be free since he cannot choose to sin. God knows what we would freely choose before creation and gives us what we would ultimately freely desire, salvation or not because of his perfect Love and perfect Justice.   All humans knows of God and his Law and freely chooses based on what has been revealed to them (Romans 1).  God rightly gives what the humans ultimately desire out of pure Love but also remaining perfectly just in administering the consequences.  God elects those who would choose him and does not elect those who would not choose him given the perfect opportunities.

           The principle 'Total Depravity' means: Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin.  Humanity is completely sinful.  Man's heart is evil (Mark 7:21-23) and sick (Jer. 17:9). Man is a slave of sin (Rom. 6:14-20). He does not seek for God (Rom. 3:11). He cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). He is at enmity with God (Eph. 2:15). And, is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3). Christians are born again not by their own will but God's will (John 1:12-13); God grants that Christians believe (Phil. 1:29); faith is the work of God (John 6:28-29); God ordains people to eternal life (Acts 13:48); and God predestines (Eph. 1:1-11; Rom. 8:29; Rom. 9:9-23).