Additional Statement of Faith

In addition to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith and the historic creeds of the Christian faith, the following statements help clarify our convictions on various contemporary theological and cultural issues not fully addressed within those historic documents.

The Lord’s Table

We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ on the night He was betrayed (Matthew 26:26–28; 1 Corinthians 11:23–33). The ordinance is to be observed in remembrance of Christ and as a proclamation of His death until He returns (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26). We believe the elements of the Supper are symbolic representations of Christ’s body and blood, while also affirming that believers truly commune spiritually with the risen Christ through this ordinance (1 Corinthians 10:16).

We believe the Lord’s Supper is to be received reverently and with careful self-examination according to Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:28–32).

We practice a closed table, meaning Communion is ordinarily reserved for members of Coram Deo Reformed Baptist Church who are in good standing. Participation by visiting believers may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the church leadership.

We do not practice paedocommunion, believing instead that the Lord’s Supper is intended for baptized believers who are able to examine themselves according to Scripture prior to partaking.

The Church, Culture, and the Two Kingdoms

We believe the mission of the church is to glorify God through the proclamation of the Gospel, the making of disciples, and the edification of the saints (Matthew 28:19–20; Ephesians 4:11–16).

While Christians should seek to live faithfully within society and promote what is good and just according to God’s moral law, we do not believe the mission of the church is fulfilled through political dominion or the establishment of an earthly Christendom, but through the ordinary means God has given to His church, especially the preaching of the Gospel.

We affirm the doctrine commonly referred to as the “Two Kingdoms.” God rules over all creation, yet Scripture distinguishes between His common rule over the nations and His redemptive rule within the church.

The common kingdom includes the ordinary structures of human society such as civil government, labor, family life, and social order. God graciously sustains this realm through His common grace and providence (Genesis 9:1–7; Romans 13:1–7; Matthew 5:45).

The redemptive kingdom consists of Christ’s redeemed people gathered within His church under the Covenant of Grace (1 Peter 2:9–10; Hebrews 11:10–16). The church is called to proclaim Christ, administer the ordinances, disciple believers, and walk in holiness while living as pilgrims and strangers in this present world (1 Peter 2:11–17).

Christians should strive to live peaceably, honor lawful authorities, pray for rulers, and support what is righteous and just according to Scripture (Romans 12–13; 1 Timothy 2:1–2; Titus 3:1). At the same time, believers must remain faithful to Christ even in the face of opposition or persecution (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 3:13–17).

We reject both theonomy and forms of Christian Nationalism that confuse the mission of the church with political or civil dominion. We believe the church’s primary calling is spiritual rather than political, and that Christ’s kingdom will be fully established only at His return.

Spiritual Gifts

We believe that all believers are called to serve within the body of Christ and that God equips His people with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church (Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4:10–11).

We believe that the miraculous sign gifts associated with the apostolic era served a unique and temporary role in confirming divine revelation and authenticating the ministry of the apostles (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1–4).

With the completion of the New Testament canon, Scripture stands as the sufficient and final authority for the church. We therefore believe that revelatory sign gifts such as tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healing are no longer normative for the church today.

We affirm that God still sovereignly hears and answers prayer according to His will and providence and continues to care for His people in every age (James 5:13–16; 1 John 5:14–15).

Angels

We believe that angels are created beings who exist to worship and serve God (Hebrews 1:6–14; Revelation 5:11–14). Though they are greater than man in power and might, they are not to be worshiped (Revelation 19:10).

We believe Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and led many angels into rebellion with him (Isaiah 14:12–17; Revelation 12:1–9). Through his temptation of Eve, sin entered the human race (Genesis 3:1–15).

Satan is the enemy of God and man, yet his power remains under the sovereign authority of God (Job 1:12; 2:6). Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Satan has been defeated, and his final judgment is certain (Romans 16:20; Revelation 20:10).

Creation

We believe God directly created the heavens and the earth in six literal days as recorded in Genesis 1–2 (Exodus 20:11; Colossians 1:16–17).

We believe Adam and Eve were real historical persons specially created by God and are the parents of all humanity (Genesis 1–3; Romans 5:12–21).

We believe mankind fell into sin through Adam’s disobedience, bringing death, corruption, and suffering into the world and leaving all humanity in need of redemption through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12–21).

We affirm the historicity of the early chapters of Genesis, including the global flood in the days of Noah (Genesis 6–9).

Human Sexuality

We believe God created mankind male and female in His image and that marriage is the covenant union of one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6).

We believe sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed only within the covenant of biblical marriage. Any sexual activity outside of marriage, including adultery, fornication, homosexual practice, pornography, incest, and all other forms of sexual immorality, is contrary to God’s design (1 Corinthians 6:9–20; Hebrews 13:4).

We believe attempts to reject or redefine one’s biological sex are contrary to God’s created order.

We affirm the equal dignity and value of men and women before God while also affirming that God has ordained distinct roles within the home and the church. We believe qualified men alone are called to serve in the ordained offices of elder and deacon (1 Timothy 2:11–15; 3:1–13).

Abortion

We believe human life begins at conception and that every unborn child bears the image of God (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5).

We believe abortion is the unjust taking of innocent human life and is therefore contrary to God’s moral law. We reject abortion as an acceptable solution for circumstances such as convenience, gender selection, economic hardship, or other non-life-threatening reasons.

At the same time, we affirm the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ for all who repent and believe the Gospel.

Worship

We seek to worship God according to the principles revealed in Scripture. Our gatherings are centered on the ordinary means God has given to His church, including the preaching of the Word, prayer, congregational singing, and the use of creeds, catechisms, and confessional resources for instruction and discipleship.

We practice expository preaching through books of the Bible and emphasize congregational participation in worship.

Our music and teaching materials are selected carefully with the goal of promoting doctrinal faithfulness, reverence, and the edification of the church body.