Statement of Faith
The foundational truths we teach at Joy:
The Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant (in its original manuscripts) Word of God. It is the final and sufficient authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and life (2 Timothy 3:16–17; John 10:35).
The Godhead (Trinity)
We believe in one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully divine, equal in glory and majesty, yet distinct in personhood and role. The triune God exists in perfect unity, and each person is worthy of worship, honor, and obedience. (Genesis 1:26; John 1:1-14; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
God the Father
We believe that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is eternal, unchanging, and sovereign over all things. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly wise, just, loving, and holy. As the Ruler and Sustainer of the universe, He reigns with absolute authority and goodness. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of all who place their faith in Christ the Savior. (Psalm 99:4 & 103:19; Matthew 6:9; Romans 8:15)
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and the second person of the Trinity, took on human nature to redeem mankind from the curse of sin. Fully God and fully man, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He offered Himself on the cross as the all-sufficient atoning sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. He was buried and rose from the dead, then ascended into heaven in His glorified body, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father. (John 1:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity who convicts the world of sin, brings about regeneration, and grants new life at the moment of salvation. From that point forward, the Spirit permanently indwells every believer, sealing them for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit has sanctified and is sanctifying the believer by enabling them to bear fruit, empowering them to live in freedom from the dominion of sin, and spiritually gifting them for the furtherance of the Kingdom. (John 16:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Man
We believe that God created mankind, both male and female, in His image, setting them apart from all other creation to glorify, worship, serve, and enjoy fellowship with Him. Yet through sin and disobedience, humanity fell, resulting in both physical and spiritual death and separation from God. In this fallen state, human nature is corrupted, leaving us spiritually dead in sin and utterly incapable of restoring fellowship with God apart from Christ. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not earned by human effort or good works, but the result of His mercy and love, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. All people have sinned and are separated from God, but through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, forgiveness and eternal life are offered to all who place their faith in Him. His finished work on the cross satisfied the wrath of God and bore the punishment for sin that humanity deserved. Those who are saved are justified, adopted into God’s family, made into a new creation, and sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance in Christ. (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Christian Life
We believe the Christian life is the life of peace, hope, and joy, rooted in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to live in daily obedience to God’s Word, pursuing holiness, growing in spiritual maturity, and reflecting the character of Christ in every area of life. This journey of following Christ involves denying self, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, and faithfully joining in Christ’s mission to make disciples of all nations. (John 10:10; Galatians 5:16-25; Luke 9:23)
The Church
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, the family of believers united in faith to worship God, proclaim the gospel, and serve others in love. The Church is made up of all who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, transcending age, ethnicity, and background. In the local church, believers gather to glorify God through the proclamation of the Word, prayer, worship, and the practice of the ordinances. Together, the Church embodies Christ’s mission by loving God wholeheartedly, loving our neighbors faithfully, and sharing the hope of eternal life in Him. (Acts 2:42; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 1:22-23)
The Ordinances
We affirm that Scripture recognizes two ordinances instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism, carried out by immersion, is a public confession of faith that symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ—death to sin, the burial of the old self, and resurrection to walk in newness of life. The Lord’s Supper is a sacred act of worship in which believers have fellowship with Christ and with one another. It serves as a solemn remembrance of His sacrificial death, a proclamation of the gospel, and an anticipation of His glorious return. (Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
The End Times
We believe that Christ will return in glory at the day and hour no one knows, coming personally and visibly to all. At His coming, He will raise and judge the living and the dead: unbelievers will face eternal separation and punishment, while His followers will be welcomed into everlasting joy. His return will mark the fulfillment of God’s kingdom, the restoration of all creation into a new heaven and a new earth, and the unending joy of His people. All who belong to Christ will be raised in glorified bodies, freed from sin, pain, injustice, and death, to dwell forever in His presence. In that eternal kingdom, God will live with His people, and together we will worship Him in perfect peace, love, and righteousness. (Matthew 24:36–44; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 21:1–5)