Statement of Faith

The First Congregational Church of Stanton exists to glorify God through worship, righteous living, and service to Him and others. We may employ a pastor in order to help us grow in our faith and knowledge of God; to lead us in worship of God; to model for us a life of faith and righteousness; and to encourage us toward godly service to one another and within our community.

Generally, we adhere to the confessional creeds of the historic church such as the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Westminster Confession. As Congregationalists, we respect the freedom of individuals to earnestly and prayerfully study the Scriptures and be led by God into sound understanding. We hold to the maxim: In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. 

The Bible

  • We believe the Bible is the 66 books of the Old and New Testament and is the authoritative Word of God for mankind.
  • We believe the Bible has been written by men but inspired by God and preserved by Him throughout the centuries.
  • We believe the Bible is foundational for informing us of everything we need for godliness, both as a church as well as individuals.
  • We believe the Bible is holy and is the final authority on all matters it addresses.

God

  • We believe in one holy God expressed in three persons: The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.
  • We believe that God is the designer and creator of all things.
  • We believe that God sovereignly reigns over all He has made and that He is providential over the affairs of mankind.
  • We believe that God invites us into a meaningful, corporate, and personal relationship with Him and that He loves us as a perfect Father loves His children.

Jesus

  • We believe that Jesus was both human and divine in nature and that this is a profound mystery.
  • We believe that Jesus was born of Mary, a virgin, and that He was conceived in her by the power of God's Holy Spirit.
  • We believe God the Son took on humanity in order to secure salvation for His brothers and sisters--the church.
  • We believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, that He died as our substitute, that He was buried and rose again on the third day. We believe that He ascended into heaven where He is now and will remain until His imminent, triumphal, physical return.

Holy Spirit

  • We believe the Holy Spirit indwells all who belong to God's family, the church.
  • We believe the Holy Spirit is our guide for understanding truth.
  • We believe the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to live obediently to God and to persevere in their faith.

Salvation

  • We believe that salvation is a gift of God's grace and that it cannot be earned in any way.
  • We believe that salvation describes the condition of those who are kept from God's judgment against unholiness.
  • We believe that God's wrath was poured out on Jesus and that, through this, we receive forgiveness of sin and righteous standing in God's sight.
  • We believe that Jesus' resurrection from the dead was the ultimate conquering of death, and that like Him, we too shall one day be resurrected to eternal life.

Church

  • We believe the church is a worldwide body of believers in God, through faith in Jesus, indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
  • We believe the church is God's family and that every person is gifted and called to serve within that family in some capacity.
  • We believe it is good and proper for local congregations of believers to unite around shared faith and understanding of God and His Word.