We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, is the written Word of God. It is the essential and infallible record of God’s revelation of Himself to mankind, leading us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of Scripture so that the Bible, as originally given, is free from error in all it teaches. Every believer is responsible to study the Scripture, interpreting each passage according to context, purpose, and the entire scope of biblical revelation, and to diligently apply the standards of Scripture to their individual lives in reverent obedience to the Lord, Who speaks through the Scripture in living power. The Scripture is our final, absolute authority, the only infallible rule of faith and practice for individual believers and for the Church. The Scripture is not to be added to, detracted from, or changed by later tradition or extra-biblical revelation. Every doctrinal formulation or pronouncement by any individual or council, whether of creed, confession, theology, or experience must be put to the test of the full counsel of God as revealed in Holy Scripture.