Statement of Faith

The following confession reflects the faith of the historic, undivided Church, as articulated in the Nicene Creed (AD 381), which we receive as a shared inheritance across the Christian tradition and affirm as a faithful summary of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. In receiving this confession, we understand the term catholic in its historic sense, meaning universal, signifying the one Church of Jesus Christ across time and place, rather than as a reference to any single modern denomination.

We believe in one God, (Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29, 32; Eph 4:6) 

the Father, the Almighty, (2 Cor 6:18)

maker of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Rev 4:11), 

of all that is, visible and invisible (Col 1:16; Heb 11:3)

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:5), 

the only-begotten Son of God (John 3:16),

eternally begotten of the Father (Col 1:15, 17), 

God from God (John 1:1-2), 

Light from Light (John 1:4, 9; 2 Cor 4:6; Heb 1:3),

true God from true God (1 John 5:20), 

begotten, not made (John 1:18), 

of one Being with the Father (1 John 1:5; John 1:4,9; Phil 2:6);

through him all things were made (John 1:3; Col 1:16; 1 Cor 8:6; Rom 11:36; Heb 1:10).

For us and for our salvation (Matt 1:21; 1 Thess 5:9; Col 1:13-14; Gal 4:4-5) 

he came down from heaven (John 3:13, 3:31, 6:38),

was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:34-35), 

and was made man (John 1:14, Heb 2:14).

For our sake he was crucified (Mark 15:25; 1 Cor 15:3; 1 Pet 2:24) 

under Pontius Pilate (Mark 15:15);

he suffered death (Matt 27:50) 

and was buried (Matt 27:59-60).

On the third day he rose again (Mark 9:31, 16:9; Acts 10:40) 

in accordance with the Scriptures (Luke 24:45-46; 1 Cor 15:3-4);

he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) 

and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1).

He will come again in glory (Matt 25:31; Mark 13:26; John 14:3; 1 Thess 4:17)

to judge the living and the dead (Matt 16:27, 25:32-33; Acts 10:42; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5),

and his kingdom will have no end (Heb 1:8; 2 Pet 1:11; Rev 11:15).

We believe in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), 

the Lord, the giver of life (John 6:63; 2 Cor 3:6),

who proceeds from the Father, (John 15:26) 

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified (2 Cor 3:8,17),

who has spoken through the prophets (1 Pet 1:21; Eph 3:5).

We believe in one (Eph 4:4) 

holy (Eph 1:4; 5:27) 

catholic (Matt 28:19; Acts 1:8)

and apostolic (Eph 2:20) 

Church (Matt 16:18; Rom 12:4-5).

We acknowledge one Baptism (Eph 4:5; Gal 3:27; 1 Cor 12:13) 

for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16; Col 2:12-13; Titus 3:5).

We look for the resurrection of the dead (John 5:28-29; Rom 6:4-5; 1 Cor 15:20-22; 1Thess 4:16),

and the life of the world to come (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1-4).

Core Convictions

Family - We believe parents are responsible to educate their children in the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). Educators must be the delegates of the parents, assisting them in the education of their children, but never usurping their God-given parental prerogative and responsibility (Exodus 18:21; Hebrews 13:17). We believe in biblical discipline, the encouragement of an obedient child and the correction of a disobedient child, is a critical and necessary part of education (Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Hebrews 12:11). We believe that fathers, as the God-ordained heads of their households, take the lead in partnership with mothers in the spiritual and educational nurture of their children. Whenever possible, we desire that each father assume leadership in the education of his children (Joshua 24:15; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:3).

Sex - We believe that God defined marriage as the life-long covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). All forms of sexual activity outside of marriage—including cohabitation, adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, pornography, and other sexual sins—are contrary to God’s will and are sin (1 Corinthians 6:18–20; Hebrews 13:4; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26–27).

Gender - We believe that God immutably creates each person to reflect His image as male or female (Genesis 1:27). There are only two sexes, male and female, each created with equal dignity, value, and purpose. All persons are called to honor God in how they live, speak, and relate to others (Psalm 139:13–16; Ephesians 5:21–33)

Life - We believe all human life to be sacred and created by God in His own image from conception through natural death (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5). We are, therefore, called to protect, defend, and value all human life (Proverbs 24:11–12; Matthew 25:40).

Unity, Charity, and Christian Tradition - We are an ecumenical Christian community, grounded in the historic faith of the Church and committed to Christian unity rooted in truth (John 17:20–23; Ephesians 4:1–6). We joyfully welcome families from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions who affirm this Statement of Faith and our Core Convictions (1 Corinthians 15:1–8). While we acknowledge that faithful Christians may differ in theological emphasis, ecclesial structure, and liturgical practice, Sardis does not exist to adjudicate denominational distinctives or to replace the formative role of the local church or the Christian household (Romans 14:1–4; Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:1-4; Hebrews 13:15-17). Rather, we seek to form students within the shared moral, theological, and historical inheritance of the Christian faith as received by the Church through the ages (2 Thessalonians 2:15; Colossians 2:6–7). In keeping with the wisdom of the historic Christian tradition, we strive for unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things (Ephesians 4:2–6; Romans 12:18; Colossians 3:12–17).