What We Believe

The following are summaries of the beliefs of First Church Artesia based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible and expressed in classic Reformed Theology. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.  
We also affirm the distinctives found in the Westminster Confession of Faith

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God. We believe the scriptures are sufficient in all matters of faith and conduct.  2 Timothy 3:15-20; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32

We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.  Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1,3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19, John 10:30; Ephesians 4:5-6; Romans 1:19-20

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that he infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that he concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of mankind, that he hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ.  Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6

We believe in the deity of Christ, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his substitutionary atoning death, his resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and his personal return to earth in power and glory.  John 10:33; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:34-35; Hebrews 4:15, 7:26; John 2:11; I Corinthians 15:3; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9; John 11:25; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit leads us to repentance, indwells every believer in Christ, and that he is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.  John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26-27, 16:8–14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 5:22–26

We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.  Genesis 1:27, 31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-20; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18, 32, 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10

We believe salvation belongs to the Lord and is granted by his grace alone, through faith alone, in the sufficient work of Christ alone.  Psalm 37:39; Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-22; Hebrews 7:22-25, 10:12-14.

We believe in the sufficiency of Christ’s work for salvation. All who are saved have the perfect righteousness of Christ accounted to them as the sole basis of their right-standing before a holy God, and have been forgiven all of their sin through the atoning death of Christ on their behalf.  Hebrews 7:22-25, 10:12-14; Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:23-25; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7.  
We believe faith is the sole instrument by which we lay hold of the righteousness of Christ. This faith alone, apart from any works of the believer, is the means by which all of Christ’s righteousness is imputed for salvation.  Rom 3:21-22; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6; Titus 1:1-3; Galatians 3:10-11
Distinctive: We believe that God is sovereign in the salvation of human souls. Before the foundation of the world, God elected his people, setting his affection and grace upon them (Romans 8:29-30). In love God predestined his people for adoption (Ephesians 1:4-6). We believe without the effectual quickening work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration, apart from any action or work on our part (Titus 3: 4-7; Ephesians 2:4-5), no one would come to Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3). Apart from the divine intervention of God (Matthew 11:25-27), humanity cannot choose to follow Christ or worship God (Romans 3:9-20; Ephesians 2:1-3). Furthermore, the sovereignty of God in salvation is pervasive and comprehensive. God begins the good work, sustains the good work, and he will complete the good work (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

We believe in one holy, universal Church made up of all who trust Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and supreme Treasure of their lives.
We believe that God calls us to unite with other believers in local churches to help each other to value Christ above all, to praise him together, to grow in our love and knowledge of him, and to ultimately celebrate the glory of God through lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:10, 2:19–22, 4:11-16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:19–21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23–25.  
We believe that Christians should be baptized and regularly partake the Lord’s Supper.  Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 15:36, 41, 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4, 10, 11; Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26