Below is an abbreviated version of our Statement of Faith
Our Theological Beliefs:
The Five Solas:
- We believe in the inerrancy, sufficiency, inspiration, and authority of the 66 books of the Bible of both the Old and New Testament to be the very written word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
- We believe that there is only one true and living God who eternally exists in three co-eternal, co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1-3; Acts 5:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is infinite in being and perfection; invisible, immutable, eternal, and has in himself all life, glory, and goodness (Psalm 90:1-2; Acts 17:24-25; Romans 11:33-36). In the unity of the Godhead, the three persons are of one substance, power, and eternity.
- We believe that Jesus Christ, eternally existing as the Son of the Father, took upon himself a human nature in order to live righteously, die a substitutionary death in the place of all who would trust him, and rose from the dead on the third day (Romans 1:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 3:16). He is coming again to judge all men (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
- We believe that God the Holy Spirit causes men to be born again through his sovereign grace, overcoming men's hearts, creating faith and repentance, and enables men to freely repent and believe the gospel (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Titus 3:4-7). He indwells the believer until the day of redemption and imparts spiritual gifts to each (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1:12-14).
- We believe that man is created in the image of God, but all have sinned and are guilty in Adam from conception (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:19-23, 5:12-21). Man is created male and female, equal in dignity and worth, but distinct in their God-given roles in the world, family, marriage, and in the life of the local church (Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:8-14).
- We believe that the church universal is made up of all those who trusted in the coming of Jesus Christ in all history, and that the local church is designed to showcase the glory of God in the saving of sinners (Ephesians 3:7-12; Revelation 7:9-10).
The Five Solas:
- Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone): we believe that Scripture alone is the highest and only infalliable authority.
- Sola Fide (faith alone): we believe that we are declared righteous and saved by faith alone in the gospel.
- Sola gratia (grace alone): we believe that God saves sinners by his sovereign grace alone.
- Solus Christus (Christ alone): we believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only Mediator between God and man.
- Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory to God alone): we believe that all the glory goes to the Triune God alone.
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
Preface to the Statement
Statement of Faith
The Southwest Christian Church statement of faith has been written and crafted by our elders with careful attention to the clarity of Scripture, seeking to rightly divide the word of truth. We believe our statement of faith is both biblically faithful and in agreement with the historic, once-for-all faith delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). The origination and emphasis of doctrinal phrasing can be seen in:
1). The wording of the statements has been adapted, utilized, and/or modernized from other faithful statements of faith such as:
2). The intention of the word “alone,” which may appear subtle is to affirm the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation of Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone, and to the Glory of God alone. This is distinct mark not only of Protestant theology, but also of Reformed theology.
3). The citation in Scriptural references for each belief statement, when possible, has at least four different biblical references from both the Old and New Testament. We have done this intentionally to show both the robust nature of our theology and the continuity of God’s unchanging revelation (Malachi 3:6).
4). The usage of footnotes in the statement is to not only demonstrate the grounding of our faith, but also to serve you and your family in family worship, devotions, and for study.
Soli Deo Gloria,
The Elders of Southwest Christian Church
The Southwest Christian Church statement of faith has been written and crafted by our elders with careful attention to the clarity of Scripture, seeking to rightly divide the word of truth. We believe our statement of faith is both biblically faithful and in agreement with the historic, once-for-all faith delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). The origination and emphasis of doctrinal phrasing can be seen in:
1). The wording of the statements has been adapted, utilized, and/or modernized from other faithful statements of faith such as:
- The Nicene Creed (381 AD)
- The Athanasian Creed (5th-6th Century)
- The Westminister Larger Catechism (1647)
- The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)
- The New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833)
- The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978)
- The Confessional Statement of the Gospel Coalition (2007; last revised, 2011)
- The Doctrinal Statement of Grace Community Church (last modified, May 2024)
2). The intention of the word “alone,” which may appear subtle is to affirm the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation of Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone, and to the Glory of God alone. This is distinct mark not only of Protestant theology, but also of Reformed theology.
3). The citation in Scriptural references for each belief statement, when possible, has at least four different biblical references from both the Old and New Testament. We have done this intentionally to show both the robust nature of our theology and the continuity of God’s unchanging revelation (Malachi 3:6).
4). The usage of footnotes in the statement is to not only demonstrate the grounding of our faith, but also to serve you and your family in family worship, devotions, and for study.
Soli Deo Gloria,
The Elders of Southwest Christian Church
Concerning the scriptures
- We believe that Scripture, namely the sixty-six books of both the Old and New Testaments, are given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit [a]. These writings alone [b] constitute the complete and infallible word of God [c].
a. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
b. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19
c. Psalm 119:160; John 10:35
- We believe Scripture is authoritative for all mankind [a], containing the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His glory and man’s salvation, faith, and life [b].
a. Psalm 119:89; Ecclesiastes 12:13
b. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Jude 1:3
- We believe that the only infallible interpreter of Scripture is Scripture itself [a]. Therefore, Scripture is the supreme and final judge by which all controversies of religion are to be examined, and in whose judgment we are to rest [b].
a. Psalm 119:130; Matthew 22:29-32
b. Mark 7:5-13; Galatians 1:6-9
- We believe that Scripture is clear and sufficient in all matters that it addresses [a]; nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as contained in the word [b].
a. Psalm 119:130; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15
b. 1 Corinthians 2:11-16; 2 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 John 2:27
Concerning God
- We believe there is only one living and true God [a]. He is infinite and eternal in his being and perfections [b]. God is a most pure spirit, immortal, invisible, and without body, parts or passions [c].
a. Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6
b. Psalm 90:1-2; Malachi 3:6
c. Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 4:15-16; John 4:24; Hebrews 13:8
- We believe God is most holy [a], most wise, most free, and works all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and righteous will [b]; for from him, through him, and to him are all things, to the praise of his glory [c].
a. Exodus 15:11; 1 Samuel 2:2
b. Psalm 115:3; Psalm 135:6; Romans 8:28
c. Ephesians 1:11-12; Romans 11:3
- We believe that God, being all-sufficient in and of himself, has absolute sovereign dominion over all creatures, in the heavens and on the earth, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever he pleases [a].
a. Psalm 115:3; Psalm 135:6; Daniel 4:35; Romans 9:20-21; Revelation 4:11 - We believe that God is Triune: he is one in essence, and eternally exists in three distinct, co-equal, and consubstantial Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Their Glory and Majesty is eternal, equal, and deserving of all our worship [a].
a. Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4-6; Hebrews 9:14
God the Father
- We believe God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is the Creator of all things [a]. He has decreed all things, and continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events, for his glory and our good [b].
a. Genesis 1:1-31; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
b. Matthew 10:29-30; Ephesians 1:11 - We believe God the Father, by his sovereign will, ordains all that comes to pass [a]. Yet, he is neither the author nor approver of sin [b], nor is human responsibility removed, but rather established in the fulfilling of his holy, wise, and immovable decree [c].
a. Isaiah 46:10; Lamentations 3:37-38
b. Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5
c. Genesis 50:20; Acts 4:27-28 - We believe his fatherhood involves both his designation within the Trinity [a] and his role towards all mankind as their Creator [b]. He is the spiritual Father only to believers through faith alone in Christ the Son [c].
a. Matthew 3:16-17
b. Isaiah 64:8; Ephesian 4:6
c. John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16 - We believe God the Father, in love and before the foundation of the world, chose a vast and innumerable multitude of sinners [a], to be saved, forgiven, and adopted as sons and daughters in Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace [b].
a. John 17:6-10; Ephesians 1:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 7:9-10
b. Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:5-6
God the Son
- We believe Jesus is the Son of God [a], the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory [b]. He is of one substance and equal with the Father [c].
a. Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 16:15-17; Luke 1:35
b. John 1:1-2, 18; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:3-8
c. John 10:30-33; 1 John 5:20 - We believe Jesus is the co-Creator and sustainer of all things [a], sent from the Father as the Promised Messiah, Mediator, and Redeemer of God’s elect [b].
a. John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:2-3
b. John 6:37-40; Colossians 1:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:5 - We believe when the fullness of time had come, Jesus took upon himself a true human nature [a], yet without sin [b]. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, truly God and truly man [c].
a. John 1:14; Hebrews 2:17
b. Romans 8:3-4; 1 Peter 1:22; Hebrews 4:15
c. Luke 1:31-35; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:6-7 - We believe that Jesus, by his perfect obedience and substitutionary death, which he offered up to God through the eternal Spirit [a] has fully satisfied the justice of God for all those whom the Father has given to him [b].
a. Mark 10:45; Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 9:14
b. Matthew 1:21; John 10:11-15; John 17:6-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21 - We believe that on the third day, Jesus was physically raised from the dead [a], ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of his Father to make intercession [b]. He shall return bodily to judge the living and the dead [c].
a. Matthew 28:6; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:22; John 2:19
b. Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14
c. John 5:21-23; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Timothy 4:1
God the Holy Spirit
- We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is the eternal Spirit of God [a]. He is coequal, consubstantial, and is to be worshipped and glorified together with the Father and the Son [b].
a. Isaiah 40:13-14; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 9:14
b. Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14 - We believe the Holy Spirit is the co-Creator and sustainer of all things, with the Father and the Son [a]. The Spirit eternally proceeds from both the Father and the Son [b].
a. Genesis 1:1-2; Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6
b. Acts 2:33; John 14:16-17; John 15:26 - We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment [a]. He is the Lord and life-giver, the sovereign agent of regeneration, conforms believers into the image of Christ [b], and indwells every believer as the guarantee of their inheritance [c].
a. John 16:8-11
b. John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Titus 3:5
c. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14 - We believe the Holy Spirit gathers the body of Christ [a], sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts to every believer, and powerfully enables them for the edification of the saints [b] and the glory of Christ [c].
a. 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21-22
b. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
c. John 16:13-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 John 5:6 - We believe the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and apostles, guiding them into all truth as they wrote down the very words of God, the writings of Holy Scripture [a].
a. Mark 12:36; John 14:26; Ephesians 3:5; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Concerning Man
- We believe that man was created, male and female, in the image and likeness of God [a]; in knowledge and innocence, having the law of God written on their hearts [b].
b. Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 2:14-15
- We believe that although God created man upright and originally free from sin [a], Adam willfully sinned against God [b]; and yet, all this according to the wise and holy counsel of God’s sovereign purposes [c].
b. Genesis 3:11-13; Hosea 6:7
c. Genesis 50:20; Proverbs 16:4; Lamentations 3:37-38
- We believe that because Adam was the representative of all mankind, the guilt of sin and a corrupt nature are imputed to all men [a]. All mankind are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration [b].
b. Psalm 14:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Jeremiah 17:9
- We believe that all mankind is born outside of Christ and under God’s condemnation [a]. Natural man is born both unwilling and unable to please God [b]; corrupt in every part of his being, willing slaves to sin and Satan [c].
b. Romans 1:18-20; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 8:7-8
c. Genesis 6:5; John 8:34; 2 Corinthians 4:4
- We believe that mankind is created by God as either male or female, as distinct sexes that are biologically defined and divinely established to each individual at conception [a].
- We believe marriage is a God ordained union between one man and one woman, designed to reflect Christ and the church [a].
- We believe because all mankind is created in the image and likeness of God [a], all human life from conception to natural death is sacred, and is to be valued and protected [b].
b. Genesis 9:6; Psalm 22:10; Luke 1:41-44; James 3:9
Concerning Salvation
- We believe that salvation is wholly an act of God’s grace [a], whereby he freely reconciles the sinner to himself solely on the basis of the finished work of Jesus Christ alone [b].
b. John 3:16-18; Romans 3:23-26; Galatians 2:16
- We believe that God, by his Spirit and through his word [a], causes the sinner to be born again and raised to spiritual life [b]; thereby being made willing to freely believe the gospel [c].
b. John 3:3-8; Ephesians 2:4-7
c. John 1:12-13; 1 Timothy 1:13-14; 1 John 5:1
- We believe that justification is an act of God’s grace to sinners whereby he pardons all their sins [a] and accepts them as righteous by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness [b]; this, to be received by faith alone [c].
b. Isaiah 53:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21
c. Romans 3:28; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9
- We believe that those whom God justifies are adopted as sons of God, sealed by his Spirit [a], gain access to the Father, and are being conformed into the image of Christ [b].
b. John 14:6; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 2:10-12; 1 John 3:1-2
- We believe that those whom God has effectually called [a], accepted in Christ, and sealed by his Spirit [b] can never finally nor totally fall away, but will persevere by grace unto the end [c].
b. Ephesians 1:13-14
c. John 10:27-30; Romans 8:30-39; Hebrews 10:10-14
Concerning the Church
- We believe the universal church [a] consists of the whole number of God’s elect that have been, are, and shall be gathered into one under Christ [b].
b. Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 7:9-10
- We believe Christ is the Head of the church [a], which is his body. He mediates his authority in the church through his word [b].
b. Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 4:7-12; 1 Timothy 4:13
- We believe that the purpose of the local church, as an expression of Christ’s body on earth, is to glorify God by edifying the saints and making disciples of all nations [a].
- We believe that the local church consists of those whom Christ has called out of the world by his Spirit through the gospel, to belong to Him [a] and to commit themselves to one another [b].
b. Acts 2:41-42; Colossians 3:16; 1 John 4:19-21
- We believe that all believers are to join themselves to a local church out of obedience to Christ [a], for the good of their fellow believers [b], and for the influence of the gospel in the world [c].
b. Romans 12:4-5; Galatians 6:10
c. Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:8
- We believe the church is to be led by a plurality of elders who shepherd the congregation by teaching sound doctrine and exercising spiritual oversight [a].
- We believe that the office of an elder, or pastor, is to be filled by godly, qualified men [a] who serve Christ by leading the congregation by the teaching of his word and modeling a mature faith [b].
b. Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7
- We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s supper are the only two ordinances that Christ has given to his church [a].
Concerning the Future
- We believe God has appointed a day on which he will judge the living and the dead, Satan and the fallen angels, in righteousness [a] by the visible, physical second coming of Jesus Christ in great power and glory [b].
b. Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelation 1:7
- We believe God’s final judgment is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect [a]; and of his justice, in the eternal punishment of the wicked [b].
b. Matthew 25:46; Revelation 14:9-11
- We believe that all of those who did not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, will finally be raised from the dead to receive the due punishment [a] for their sins in an eternal, conscious torment under the wrath of Almighty God [b].
b. Matthew 10:28; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 21:8
- We believe that all of God’s elect will be finally raised in new, glorified bodies [a] to permanently dwell with their Triune God in everlasting life and joy, in the new heavens and new earth [b].
b. Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-5
