Statement of Faith
West Springs Church Statement of Faith:
The Bible:
The principal and primary source of revelation to humanity regarding any and all aspects of the one true faith is the Bible, composed of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament. We believe that Scripture in its entirety originated with God, and that it was given through the instrumentality of chosen people. Scripture, there
fore, simultaneously speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, style and vocabularies of the human authors. We believe that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. God:
We believe that there is one true, Holy God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created out of nothing, the world and all the things in and around it, and by doing so manifested the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power, He continues to sustain His creation and by His providence He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. Salvation:
The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call people into a relationship with Himself. Although created to have fellowship with God, man defied God and chose to go his own independent way. As a result, he was alienated from God, his human nature under went corruption and he became unable to please God. This fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and therefore are in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of any person is then completely accomplished by God’s free grace, not the result, even in part, of human works or goodness, and must be individually and personally appropriated by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The same salvation which God initiates and provides is accompanied by assurance (according to the Scriptures) that He will continue performing its work until it is fully perfected in every believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the eternal second person of the Trinity who is united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect, sinless obedience to theFather and willingly atoned for the sins of the world by dying on the cross as a substitute. In doing so, He satisfied divine justice and accomplished salvation for all who trust in Him alone. He ascended into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He shall come again to personally and visibly consummate history and the eternal plan of God. Holy Spirit:
The third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit, who being sent by the Father and the Son into the world, applies to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their profound need of a savior, and regenerates them. At the point of salvation He indwells every believer and becomes the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with spiritual gifts for the purpose of building up the church of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scriptures. His power and leadership are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life marked by Christ-like character and to perform good works to the glory of the Father. The Afterlife:
Upon death the bodies of mankind undergo decay, but their souls, which do not die or sleep, return to God to face judgment. Unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation. God’s judgment will reveal His justice in consigning them to perpetuate in eternal retribution for their own rejection of God. The souls of believers being then made perfect in holiness, are received into heaven where they rejoice before the presence of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. In the consummation of all things the bodies of all believers who are living will be changed, all into bodies that are imperishable, glorious and powerful and united again with their souls. All believers will worship, serve, and rejoice in fellowship with God, forever. The Church:
Since all believers are united with Jesus Christ through His saving work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers are also members of one another in the body of Christ on earth, His church. There is only one true universal church comprised of all those who believe and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture directs believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Scriptures, observance of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper, fellowship, ministry to the body through the use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world with the gospel. Whenever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is a local expression of the church. Under the oversight of elders and other supportive leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ. Faith and Practice:
Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Individual members who promote doctrines or maintain practices that are contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture will be subject to the exercise of church discipline as described in the New Testament. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the consciences of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, we commend believers to be led in these areas by the Lord speaking through their consciences, which we trust have been trained to obey God’s Word and have the capacity to discern His will. We believe this Statement of Faith is an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. All members of this church shall refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in the Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissensions.
