The Creation and Dignity of Mankind
We believe that mankind was specially created by God in His image and likeness—distinct from animals and not the product of evolution—by a deliberate act of God (Gen 1:26–27; 2:7; Jas 3:9). Therefore, every human life possesses inherent dignity and worth from conception to natural death, because life is God’s handiwork and prerogative (Ps 139:13–16; Jer 1:5; Job 1:21; Heb 9:27; Acts 17:25; Deut 32:39).
The Fall of Mankind and the Need for Redemption
We believe that in Adam’s historical fall all humanity sinned in him, inheriting a sinful nature, becoming alienated from God, and coming under the power of the evil one (Gen 3; Rom 3:23; 5:12; 1 Cor 15:21–22; Col 1:21; 1 Jn 5:19; 2 Cor 4:4). Consequently, mankind is totally depraved—spiritually dead and unable to remedy his lost condition apart from divine grace (Ps 51:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10–19, 23; Eph 2:1–3; Rom 8:7–8).
Salvation is provided by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, not by human works (Eph 2:8–9; Rom 3:24–26; Tit 3:5). Those whom God redeems in Christ will ultimately bear His image in holiness and glory (Rom 8:29–30; 1 Cor 13:12; 2 Cor 3:18; Col 3:10; 1 Jn 3:2).