Williamsburg Church
Statement of Faith
I. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 8:20; II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:20, 21; Revelation 22:19)
II. Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, who knows all things immediately and comprehensively; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Psalms 19:1; 135:6-7; 147:5; Isaiah 44:6; John 1:1-18; 5:32-37; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:11)
III. Of Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His life of perfect obedience and death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; Romans 3:24, 25; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5; 2:24)
IV. Of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and that He indwells the souls of all believers, sealing them unto the day of redemption. We believe sanctification in the Holy Spirit to be the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled, step by step, to live unto righteousness and true holiness. (John 16:8-11; Romans 6:6, 14; 8:4, 9; I Corinthians 12:12-13; II Corinthians 3:6; 7:1; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:23-24; Hebrews 12:14)
V. Of the Creation
We believe that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the beginning, by the word of His power, made from nothing the heavens and the earth and all things therein, and all things were created good. (Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3)
VI. Of the Total Depravity of Humanity
We believe that all people were created in the image of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, rebelled against God, and became alienated from God. Every part of every person has been adversely affected by sin, rendering everyone totally unable to please God and to remedy their lost condition. God in His justice will judge unrighteousness and ungodliness by separating humanity from Him in the Lake of Fire for eternity. (Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 64:6; John 8:34; Romans 1:18-3:23; 5:12; 8:8; Ephesians 2:1-3; Revelation 20:14-15)
VII. Of God’s Purpose of Grace
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. His election is a most glorious display of His sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable. It utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy. (John 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:29; 9:11-13, 18, 20-24; Ephesians 1:4-6; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 1:9; I Peter 1:1-2)
VIII. Of Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God, apart from works. Salvation is brought to a person by grace and received by repentance from sin and by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood. (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:25-26; 10:19; 12:24; I Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5)
IX. Of the Assurance of Believers
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from unbelievers; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 10:27-30; Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; II Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-15; Hebrews 3:12-13; 6:9; I Peter 1:3-5)
XI. Of a Gospel Church
We believe in the universal church, a living body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, teaching the Word, and exercising church discipline; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are elders (including pastors) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. (Acts 14:27; 20:17; 28:32; I Corinthians 12:12-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; I Timothy 3:1-13)
X. Of the World to Come
We believe that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be condemned to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. (Matthew 24:31; 25:41-46; John 5:21-30; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20 & 21)