The convictions that shape our life, worship, and mission together

 

We believe in the one true God.

We believe in the one true God, the Creator of all things, who eternally exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully God, yet one God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit eternally share in perfect love and glory and together accomplish God’s work of creation, redemption, and renewal.

(Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1–3; Acts 5:3–4; John 17:5, 24)

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We believe the Bible is God’s Word.

We believe that the one true God, the Creator of all things, has made Himself and His will known and has given us His Word in Scripture. The Bible is inspired by God, true and trustworthy, and the final authority for what we believe and how we live. Through Scripture, God reveals Himself, makes known His saving purposes in Jesus Christ, and equips His people for lives of faith and obedience.

(2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Hebrews 1:1–2; John 17:17)​

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We are Gospel-centered.​

We believe the Gospel is the good news of what God has done to save sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not only the entry point of the Christian life but the foundation for our ongoing growth, our life together, and our mission. It shapes everything we do.
(1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 1:16–17; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:21–28)

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​We believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

We believe salvation is entirely the work of God’s sovereign grace. God elects, calls, regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and ultimately glorifies His people—all to the praise of His glorious grace. Sinners are justified before God through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by their own efforts, good works, or religious merit. Our salvation is God’s gift, grounded entirely in the saving work of Christ.

(Ephesians 1:3–6; Romans 3:21–28; Romans 8:29–30; Ephesians 2:8–10)​​​

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We believe in God's unified redemptive plan.

We believe the Bible tells one unfolding story of redemption centered on Jesus Christ. God progressively reveals His saving purposes through the covenants of Scripture, which find their fulfillment in Christ and the New Covenant. The New Testament gives us the clearest revelation of this fulfillment and guides our understanding of the Old Testament, whose promises, patterns, and institutions ultimately point to Christ.

We therefore see both continuity and progression in God’s plan. We do not believe God has separate redemptive plans or destinies for Israel and the Church, nor that the Church simply replaces Israel. Rather, God’s covenant promises find their fulfillment in Christ, and all who are united to Him by faith—Jew and Gentile alike—share in those promises as God’s New Covenant people.

(Luke 24:27, 44–47; Galatians 3:16, 26–29; Ephesians 2:11–22; Hebrews 8:6–13)​

 

We are Baptist.

We believe that baptism is for those who personally profess faith in Jesus Christ and that the local church should be made up of believers who willingly covenant together as a church. We practice baptism by immersion as a public profession of faith and obedience to Christ.

(Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:38–42; Romans 6:3–4)

While holding these Baptist convictions, we gladly cooperate with other Gospel-centered churches and Christians for the advance of the Gospel and the growth of God’s Kingdom.

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We are congregational, led by a plurality of pastors.

We believe each local church should be led by a plurality of qualified pastors who shepherd, teach, and provide spiritual oversight, while the congregation bears responsibility for the church’s doctrine, membership, discipline, and the recognition of its leaders. This pattern provides both accountable pastoral leadership and meaningful congregational responsibility under the supreme authority of Christ and His Word.

(Matthew 18:15–20; Acts 14:23; Galatians 1:6–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Hebrews 13:17)

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We are complementarian.

We believe that men and women are created equally in the image of God and share equal dignity, value, and standing in Christ. We also believe that God has given men and women complementary roles in the church. The office of pastor is entrusted to qualified men, while both men and women are gifted and called to serve in the life and ministry of the church.

(Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 2:11–3:7; Titus 2:1–8)

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We desire to be a community on mission.

​We believe every Christian is called to participate in God’s mission by bearing witness to Christ, making disciples, and living out the Gospel in everyday life. As a church, we seek to share the Gospel, love and serve our neighbors, develop leaders, and help establish healthy churches that will multiply throughout Japan.

(Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9–12; Colossians 4:5–6)