We teach that apart from God, no human good works are holy or acceptable before Him. Left to themselves, people will never seek God; instead, humanity continues in sin and avoidance of Him (Romans 3:10–12).
We affirm God’s unconditional election (Genesis 12:1–3; Deuteronomy 7:7–8; Ephesians 1:4). God established both the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant as unconditional covenants, covenants that do not depend on human works for their fulfillment. Through these covenants, God reveals His character: salvation is not determined by any prerequisite in humanity. God alone sovereignly determines whom He will save.
We also teach God’s irresistible grace (Jeremiah 31:33–34). Scripture teaches that God actively changes the hearts of His people, giving them hearts that believe and follow Him. Human beings always act according to their strongest desires, and God graciously places within believers a desire to love, know, and obey Him. This inward transformation ensures that His people follow Him at the deepest level of their being.
We affirm the perseverance of the saints (John 10:27–30). Those who truly belong to Christ will never lose their salvation. While believers may temporarily fall into sin or experience seasons of spiritual weakness, they will not persist in a lifestyle of sin nor ultimately abandon the faith. They persevere because God sustains, provides for, and protects them, enabling them to endure to the end.
Regarding the atonement, we teach that Christ’s atoning work is sufficient for all people, yet it is applied particularly to those who believe in Him as Savior (1 John 2:2; John 17:9).
Although God is completely sovereign in salvation, this does not negate human responsibility. Scripture clearly calls people to believe the gospel and promises salvation to all who genuinely trust in Christ (John 3:16; Romans 10:13). Those who refuse to believe remain accountable for both their unbelief and their sins (John 5:40; John 8:24).
There is mystery in how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together. Because Scripture affirms both, we hold both to be true, recognizing the limits of human understanding and entrusting the mystery to God. As Isaiah declares, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
We affirm God’s unconditional election (Genesis 12:1–3; Deuteronomy 7:7–8; Ephesians 1:4). God established both the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant as unconditional covenants, covenants that do not depend on human works for their fulfillment. Through these covenants, God reveals His character: salvation is not determined by any prerequisite in humanity. God alone sovereignly determines whom He will save.
We also teach God’s irresistible grace (Jeremiah 31:33–34). Scripture teaches that God actively changes the hearts of His people, giving them hearts that believe and follow Him. Human beings always act according to their strongest desires, and God graciously places within believers a desire to love, know, and obey Him. This inward transformation ensures that His people follow Him at the deepest level of their being.
We affirm the perseverance of the saints (John 10:27–30). Those who truly belong to Christ will never lose their salvation. While believers may temporarily fall into sin or experience seasons of spiritual weakness, they will not persist in a lifestyle of sin nor ultimately abandon the faith. They persevere because God sustains, provides for, and protects them, enabling them to endure to the end.
Regarding the atonement, we teach that Christ’s atoning work is sufficient for all people, yet it is applied particularly to those who believe in Him as Savior (1 John 2:2; John 17:9).
Although God is completely sovereign in salvation, this does not negate human responsibility. Scripture clearly calls people to believe the gospel and promises salvation to all who genuinely trust in Christ (John 3:16; Romans 10:13). Those who refuse to believe remain accountable for both their unbelief and their sins (John 5:40; John 8:24).
There is mystery in how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together. Because Scripture affirms both, we hold both to be true, recognizing the limits of human understanding and entrusting the mystery to God. As Isaiah declares, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).