WEST METRO STATEMENT OF FAITH

THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, inerrant in its original writing, infallible, and authoritative for all people who follow Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

THE TRINITY
We believe that there is one God who reveals Himself in three distinct ways- God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All exist as equally eternal and authoritative. (Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

JESUS
​We believe that God the Son, revealed to us as Jesus, was, is, and always has been God, existing eternally. We believe that He came to earth born of a virgin named Mary, that He lived a sinless life, and died as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, and was resurrected on the third day, and now sits in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. We believe that He will return one day to defeat Satan, sin, and death, and set the world right. We believe that salvation is found through Him and no other. (Acts 4:8-12, Matthew 3:17, Luke 1:26-38, Romans 3:24, 1 Peter 2:24, Ephesians 1:7-10, Revelation 19:11-16, 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

GOD
We believe that God the Father was, is and always has been God, existing eternally. He is the source of all life, making man in His image, and laying a plan from the foundation of the world for the salvation of fallen humanity. He sustains creation through His will and desires for all people to be reconciled to Him through His Son, Jesus. (Genesis 1, Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 104, 1 Timothy 2:3-4)

HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is active in both the world at large and individually in the lives of followers of Jesus. Prior to salvation, the Holy Spirit is God actively convicting people of sin and making them aware of their need for Christ. At the point of salvation, the Holy Spirit enters a person’s life and provides comfort, guidance, gifting, conviction, and the indwelling of God in a believer’s life. (John 16:8-11, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19)

THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church is the Bride of Christ. The Church manifests itself in two ways- the universal church, which is all believers, and the local church, which is a gathering of believers in a community context for the purpose of worship, encouragement, and the reaching of a community. As the church in our community, we are committed to serving and helping as many people as possible so that they may experience the love and grace of Christ before they ever enter our doors. (Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Titus 1:5, Acts 16:4-5, 1 Peter 2:11- 12)

BAPTISM & COMMUNION
We believe that baptism and Communion are outward actions that should mirror an inward relationship. Baptism is practiced by immersion after a person has been regenerated through faith in Christ. Communion is a time of celebration and remembrance of the death of Jesus for our salvation. All gathered believers and followers of Jesus may participate in Communion at any worship gathering. (Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that Gifts of the Spirit are given to people by the Holy Spirit as they place their faith in Christ and that these gifts are for the edification of the Church and the glory of Christ. We believe that all gifts mentioned in the Scriptures continue to be given today. We believe that it is the responsibility of every believer to use and develop their gifts to their fullest extent under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12)

HUMANITY
We believe that all humanity was created in the image and likeness of God and is completely and utterly depraved as a result of Adam’s sin and unable to make themselves holy. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3, Romans 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:1-2, Romans 5:12)

SALVATION & SECURITY
We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ. We believe that a person who has truly been regenerated cannot fall from grace and will endure to the end with Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Peter 1:17-21, John 6:37-40, Romans 8:38-39, 1 Peter 1:5)