We hold tenaciously to the creed of the Church universal summarized in what is typically referred to as the Apostles' & Nicene Creeds. For utility, we outline essential areas of faith for our life as a fellowship.

A. God

1. We believe and affirm that there is one Absolute God who has revealed Himself as a Triune God eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each Person of this Trinity possesses equally and substantively, all the attributes of Deity (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16,17; John 15:26; John 1:1-4). HE is the sole creator of the universe without any helper or consort (Acts 17:14; Genesis 1). HE merely spoke the world into existence and it came into being (Genesis1-2; Psalm 8) as such HE demands and commands our absolute worship. This Triune God is really big, in our estimation.

2. We believe as well that God is really magnanimous in His mercy toward us. As wrath deserving and hell bound sinners, out of HIS great mercy toward fallen sinners in Adam, HE reconciled HIS absolute holiness and purity with HIS mercy in Christ to snatch a people for HIMSELF (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2; Romans 5). Only a big God is capable of that.

B. Jesus Christ

1. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only ground of salvation and mediation between God and man (Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:19?).

2. We affirm that HE was born of the Virgin Mary as the only begotten Son of God (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; Luke 2:1-7; Isaiah 7:14) and that HE is fully divine and fully human yet without sin. The two natures were united in a miraculous virgin birth. As the anticipated Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, HE lived in perfect obedience to the eternal purposes of the Father and died to ransom His people from their sins (Matthew 1:15).

3. We believe that even before the foundation or creation of the world Jesus Christ was slain (Revelation 13:8). Consequently, His substitutionary and atoning death becomes the only acceptable ground of atonement before the Father (Isaiah 53:3-6; Romans 5:6-8; John 3:14).

4. We affirm that as a seal of HIS perfect vicarious sacrifice, HE was raised from the dead according to Scripture (1 Peter 1:4; Romans 1:4) in the same body in which HE lived and was crucified. HE ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where HE continues to intercede as the only mediator between God and man for HIS own people. He will personally and definitely come again to reclaim HIS people and execute final judgment on the entire world order (John 5:39; Luke 24:1-8, 33-46; Matthew 28; Mark 16; Acts 1:11; Ephesians 1:15-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; John 14:1-4; Hebrews). In the light of HIS mediatorial work, HE is the only Savior for sinners and outside of Him, there is no salvation in any other name (Acts 4:12).

5. We unequivocally affirm that Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Church, which HE purchased by right as His bride.

C. The Holy Spirit

1. We believe and affirm that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity and that He is coeternally equal with the Father and the Son in an undivided essential deity. The Spirit is the very creative power of God evidenced at creation of the world when HE hovered over the unformed chaotic deep (Genesis 1:2-3). As the personal creative power of God, the Spirit supervised the incarnation of the Son in the womb of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35). In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon individuals to activate them for the work of God. In the New Testament, however, this personal power of God and of Christ (1 Peter 1:11) is dispersed profusely to every believer in Christ as a result of the ascension of Christ into Heaven, for the work of ministry.

2. We believe that The Holy Spirit, also known as the Spirit of Christ, indwells everyone who comes to Christ (John 14:16-17) and gives an inner certainty and assurance of one's adoption through Christ (Romans 8:9-16). In addition, the Spirit comes alongside every believer as Comforter (John 14-16) to teach the believer (John 14:26; 1 John 2:21), to witness of Christ (John 15:26), to glorify Christ (John 14:17; 16:13), to guide the believer into all truth (John 16:13) and intercede for the believer with moaning too deep for words (Romans 8:34).

3. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the spiritual endowment of Divine assistance for the work of the ongoing ministry of our Lord. It is for all believers in Christ Jesus. Where this baptism is evident in its power, it issues forth not only in unreserved devotion to the Lord and His work but in the fruit of the spirit (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38, 39; Galatians 5:22-26; Mark 16:16-20; Romans 12:1-9).

D. About Salvation

1. We affirm the universal sinfulness of man. That is every human being on the face of the earth is a sinner by nature and has come short of the glory of God. (Isaiah 53::6; Isaiah 59:1,2; John 3:3; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:12) Consequently, all men are by nature children of wrath and deserve eternal punishment of banishment from the presence of God. Originally made in the image of God and endowed with every potential of moving from one degree of glory into another, humanity, represented by the original pair, traded the original free will and moral ability to please God for a delusive autonomy. This resulted in alienation from God, from each other and from the created order and a corruption of the original image of God. All humanity, following the federal representatives, strayed away from God and is therefore, barred from eternal fellowship with God (Genesis 3:22-24). As such, all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. This sin, elsewhere described as spiritual pollution or defilement, is also aptly likened to deadness in spirit (Ephesians 2:1-2).

2. We affirm that left to himself, man has no ability whatsoever, to merit divine favor and that no human being can ever come to faith in Jesus unless he or she is quickened, drawn and enabled to do so (John 6:37; 44). This understanding of salvation is at the very core of our devotion and worship to a gracious God, who has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter2: 9).

3. We believe that the sole purpose of God's redemptive actions is to reclaim humanity from a sorry affiliation with sin into a lasting fellowship with Him. God's rescue mission of humanity from eternal condemnation, described as salvation, comes by a supernatural and radical impartation of the life of Christ into a dead soul (1 John 5:12). As such, man cannot save himself by good works or any other rituals except by faith in the only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 64:6; John 3:16; Acts 4:10-12; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). Such a salvation is purely by grace and is appropriated by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20:20; Ephesians 2:8-9).

E. The Bible

1. We affirm and believe that the sixty-six books of the Bible comprising the Old and New Testament entirely originated with God using human agents under divine inspiration to preserve God's declared and revealed will to mankind.

2. We believe the totality of Scripture constitute a reliable, final and sufficient authority in every matter pertaining to doctrine, righteousness, worship, governance and living in righteousness (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:9,11, 105; John 17:17; 20:31; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 14-15; 2 Peter 1:15-21; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Romans 15:4).

3. We affirm that uninterrupted attendance to the public ministry of Word: preaching is vital to our survival (Matt 28:16-20; Acts 2: 42; Acts 3:22). Our predecessors emphasized the centrality of Preaching in the first biblical Christian Church that they were unwilling to move away from the mandate of Christ. God created a hunger in their hearts, which could be satisfied only by the word.

4. We believe and affirm that a neglect of centrality of Word leads to anemic and apostate church. Matt 28 all things whatsoever I commanded you. Faithful proclamation in gathered community molds habits and attitudes 2 Chronicles 34; Acts 6). Consequently, the Bible holds a prominent stature in our corporate worship and life together; proclamation of the word in our worship is our token recognition and affirmation of the truth that we shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. We will not entertain any form of worship or practices that do not directly come from the infallible word of God. We strive to be a congregation, which will not allow its conscience to be bound by anything outside the Bible.

F. The Church

1. We believe and affirm the uniqueness, prestige, privilege and position of the Church in the divine scheme of things. It is almost like an arena or theater in which God deliberately advertises His wisdom to the principalities and powers (Ephesians 3:10). The Church is really something to write home about. It is the only institution among men that has its birth, nurture, and sustenance through the living word of God (James 1:18).

2. We believe and affirm that the Church is made up of visible and invisible parts. The invisible and actually spiritual part is the universal Church comprising saints of all ages in mystical union with Christ. This universal Church, dynamically engrafted in Christ, is referred to as not only the body of Christ but the Bride of Christ. It is the only institution that enjoys such a distinct honor as priests before the Lord and enjoys a unique relationship with the God of the universe (1Peter2: 9-10; Ephesians 3:19-22).

3. We believe that membership comprises all sinners who turn from themselves and believe in the meritorious death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on their behalf. Specifically, it comprises those who respond to the apostolic declarations and proclamation about Christ (Acts 2:42-44), and who confess HIS name (Romans 10:9). Such sinners, saved purely by grace, are constituted a Church. In this sense, the Church becomes almost a hospital for sinners, and an advertising billboard for Christ's magnanimity (Ephesians 3:10).

4. We believe and affirm as well that the Church universal also manifests itself in specific distinct local gatherings. When Paul wrote his epistles, it was not to some mystical group but to a geographically located assembly of believers called to worship God (1 Corinthians 11:18; 14:19), call on the name of the LORD (1 Corinthians 1:2,21; 14:22; Galatians 3:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), and advertise the magnanimity of God (Ephesians 3:10). They constitute a fellowship of the elect (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:1), who have been called by God (1 Corinthians 1:9) regardless of their social, economic, cultural, gender and racial backgrounds into a fellowship around HIS Son (Philippians 2:1; 1 Corinthians 1:27). Whether they gather in homes or houses or public places (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19) they constitute one universal Church (Colossians 1:18, 24; Ephesians 1:22; 3:10,21; 5:23-24).

5. We believe that the members of Christ's Church are in dynamic union with the Lord and that our corporate power and passion for survival stem directly from the living Christ, who out of HIS mercy took dead stones and united us with HIM, the living stone and made us living as well (1 Peter 2:4-8). Consequently, we strive to maintain a pervasive awareness of the active presence of Christ at our stated meetings when our elder brother, Jesus, has pledged His very presence (Matthew 18: 20; Acts 5; Hebrew 10:25).

6. We affirm and believe that the Church does not exist for itself but for the Lord who has commanded us to go into all the world and disciple the nations (Matthew28: 18-20). We are a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and for Jesus Christ. Our very survival as a Church depends on the extent of our commitment to the Lord's word (John 15: 4-5). Consequently, all spiritual resources must be utilized to enhance the growth of the Church.

7. We therefore exist as a local body or congregation of Christ's universal Body to minister on behalf of Christ in various ways until we all attain the unity of faith. Acknowledging the centrality of Christ as our supreme foundation, we are fundamentally convinced that we do not belong to ourselves, but have been bought by the blood of Christ.

G. About Sacrament

1. We recognize and affirm only two sacraments instituted by the Lord: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. At HIS resurrection, the Lord Jesus demanded baptism as a necessary outward sign of submission to His claims (Matthew 28:19). The rite of baptism is reserved for all who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as an intelligent appropriation of their voluntary readiness to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ. Having died with HIM in the waters of baptism, they publicly profess by obedience to this command their willingness to live up to HIS claims. The mode of baptism can be by sprinkling or immersion, as the individual prefers. Here, there is room for individual conscience.

2. We recognize as well the Lord's Supper as a divinely appointed means of grace, (Mark 12: 22-25) for the sustenance of our spiritual nurture, gratitude for the vicarious sacrifice of our Lord, and glorious anticipation of eternal fellowship with our Savior. The Table of the Lord is opened to all who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and understand the implications of the Supper (1 Corinthians 11: 17-30).

3. We believe that membership of the Church is not a prerequisite for participation in the Lord's Supper. All professing believers are welcome to partake of the communion. However, in light of the scriptural mandate for self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:27-32), under no circumstance should a child partake of the communion until he or she has made a profession of faith before the Board of Elders and has been examined as to his or her understanding of the meaning of the sacrament.

H. About Marriage

1. We believe that marriage is instituted and ordained by God to be held in honor before Him (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4).

2. We believe as well that marriage must be monogamous between a man and a woman: a husband to a wife (Matthew 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

I. About Congregational Life

Since each professing member has received a special divine invitation (Acts 2:37-41) through the spoken word, and has been regenerated (Jn3: 3), or infused with life of Christ, and that each is specially connected in dynamic union with Christ (2Cor 5:17) not as appendages but as branches to a tree, we dully affirm that.

1. Our life together must be marked by a continuous commitment to God's purpose (Acts 2: 42; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Colossians 1:28). Consequently, loving one another is not an option for us but the only visible sign of our discipleship to our Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:34).

2. We individually have obligation to support the Berean Fellowship, in so far as it remains true to the work of God, with his or her financial resources, through tithes, gifts and offering, spiritual resources, such as talents, time, and abilities and physical and personal resources such as attendance at stated meetings, and social gatherings (Exodus 25:1-8; 35:4-35; 36:1-7; Malachi 3:8-12; Romans 15:25-27; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 John 3:16, 18).

3. We individually have a responsibility to love each other unconditionally on the basis of Christ's love for us.

4. We individually commit ourselves to bearing one another's burden and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Our Worship

A. Nature

As part of the New Covenant Community, rooted firmly on the foundation of the apostles, (Ephesians 2:20) we firmly believe and affirm our role as a community of priests. Christ has taken us who were dead in trespasses and sins and who were dead stones and made us into living stones to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise unto our God (Hebrews 13:15; 1Peter 2:2-8). Consequently, our worship must not and will not be tailored after any human tradition or ingenuity.

1. We believe and affirm that true worship as demanded by the Lord Jesus Christ is not simply a matter of artistic, priestly or liturgical regulations as though the efficacy of the worship resided in the meticulous observations of a liturgical formula or a particular brand of music.

2. We believe and affirm that worship is a matter of integrity and grateful devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ as well as gracious edification of the body (Colossians 3:16-18). We are here simply because of Jesus Christ. We choose to use songs and hymns that are God honoring, Christ centered, spiritually and theologically sound. Consequently, since we are not beholden to any particular Hymn Book, we have compiled our own hymnbook comprising favorite songs and hymns that have ministered to us in our pilgrimage.

3. We believe and affirm that the worship rendered to God here, therefore, must be spiritual and not physical because God is really not interested in material worship (Exodus 20:4-6). The desired worship, according to our Lord Jesus Christ, must be in spirit and in truth and under girded by a pervasive awareness of the sacrifices of Christ on our behalf (John 4:24).

4. We believe and affirm that worship here must also be sincere since God is neither impressed with hypocrisy nor inner duplicity (Amos 5:22-24; Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6). That is why we take seriously our Lord's admonition to have honest relationships with each other before coming for public worship (Matthew 5:22-23).

5. We believe and affirm that worship must reflect an intelligent participation of all the members, who are required to prepare their spiritual sacrifices unto the Lord. The language used in worship must be intelligible to the participants and that the pastor and congregation alike are obligated to offer unto God reasonable sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6. We affirm that since worship here is a dress rehearsal for the worship in heaven, it is the privilege and responsibility of the entire Christian body to worship God. We may not delegate the privilege to any special group.

B. Stated Worship services

Therefore, procedures of worship here at Berea, which should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), may not be prescribed by any external influences except as are taught in the Word of God. (Leviticus10: 1-5).

1. All stated worship shall, in accordance with the New Testament teaching, include such features as Adoration, praise, scripture reading, prayers, proclamation, intercession, offertory and benediction (1 Timothy 4:13; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Timothy 2:1).

2. All stated worship shall comprise public reading of the word (1 Timothy 4:13; Revelations 1:3), a proclamation of the same (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2), prayers unto the Lord and communion (Acts 2:42-44). The Lord of the Church has specifically instructed the public reading of HIS word. Consequently, when one rises up to the lectern to read the word it is not one's own words but one's tongue becomes as it were that of a ready reader reading to the best of his or her ability on behalf of God.

3. All stated worship should maintain the centrality of preaching as the means of sanctification by the Spirit (John 17:17) and the distinguishing mark of any New Testament Church. (Acts 10:42; Romans 10:8; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 9:16; 2 Timothy 4:2). Consequently, no public worship service at The Berean Reformed Fellowship shall be held without the faithful exposition of the Word to the edification of the members.

4. All stated worship should include prayers for the people. Since prayers constitute the very breath of the Church, our corporate prayers during worship service may be uttered or sung. Consequently, spiritual music here is part of our prayer offering in which we intelligently appropriate the words of the prayers as our individual requests and praises to God.

5. Worship services at Berea shall include music that is edifying, uplifting and Christ centered. Consequently, no secular music shall be sung during any worship service dedicated to the Lord. Music shall not be relegated to entertainment.

6. Music at our stated services shall always be the sole privilege and prerogative of the entire body as it offers up praise to God (1 Peter 2:5). The entire congregation is expected to sing and pray as it were and must not relinquish its privilege so as to be replaced by trained professionals. Should the need for a choir arise, the choir's responsibility, likened to that of the Levites, shall be to lead the congregation in offering up songs of praise unto our God. It should not usurp the legitimate rights of the spiritual sacrifices of the people of God.