1. The Scripture
We believe the Holy Scriptures, the sixty-six (66) books, of both the Old and New Testaments, to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and practice, inerrant, infallible and God-breathed through Spirit-controlled men. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions will be tried. Matthew 5:18; Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21
2. God
a. The Godhead
We believe in one triune God, eternal in existence, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in unity of the Godhead there are three (3) Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-equal in power, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Gen 1:26a; Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Matt 28:19-20; John 4:24; Ephesians 4:4-6.
b. The Father
We believe in the supremacy of the Father. He is perfect, immeasurable in greatness of power, truly righteous and holy. He has given all things into the hand of His Son whom he loves. He has life in himself and raised the Son from the dead. The Father, for whom we exist, draws us to the Son, through whom we exist. Matthew 5:48; John 3:35, 5:26, 6:44; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6, 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:19, 4:24
c. The Son, Jesus Christ
We believe in the absolute deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke the world into existence out of nothing; that He is divine as no other man can be, being very God of very God, becoming man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. Genesis 1:3; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20; John 1:1-2, 14; 8:58; Galatians 4:4-5; Phil 2:6-7; Colossians 1:13-17; I John 1:1-3; I John 5:20
d. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; the third member of the trinity, equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and witnessing, that He is the agent in the New Birth; baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them, at the moment of salvation, unto the day of redemption. Genesis 1:1-3; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 28:19; John 1:33; 14:16-17; 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14-16, 26-27; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; 12:11-14; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:7
3. Satan
We believe that Satan is an individual created being, a fallen angel, once holy who enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell. He became the author of sin, the ruler of all powers of darkness, and the cause of the fall of man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; that he is limited in power, presence and knowledge; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. Genesis 3:1-5; Job 1:6-12; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:15-17; Matthew 4:1-11; 13:25, 37-39; 25:41; II Corinthians 4:4; 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Revelation 12:9; 20:10.
4. Man
a. Creation and Fall
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by Adam’s willful transgression, fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; therefore totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Man, being a sinner by personal choice, is under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 1:26, 2:17, 3:22-23; Psalm 49:7-9; John 3:3-21; Romans 1:20, 5:12-14, 5:19.
b. Sanctity of Life
We believe that God created man, male and female, in His own image, for His own purposes, and declared His un-fallen image-bearers to be "very good". We affirm that life itself is a gift from God. We affirm that both genders, as individually formed by God, have distinct and meaningful purposes. We affirm that God calls us to treat all respectfully regardless of age, gender, ethnic, economic, or cultural characteristics. Genesis 1:26-27, 31, 2:7, 18, 20-24; Psalm 139:13; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:10-11; James 2:1-13.
c. Total Depravity
We believe that through Adam’s sin, spiritual death, being total corruption of the human nature, took place and has been transmitted to the entire race of man, save the Man Christ Jesus. No spark of divine life exists in man but we are by nature sinners, being at enmity against God and incapable by any human process whatever of earning His favor. Genesis 3:1-7, 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:28-32; 3:22-23; 8:6-7; Ephesians 2:1-3
d. Need of the New Birth
We believe that, owing to universal depravity and death in sin, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born again; that no degree of reformation however great, or culture however attractive, no baptism or other ordinance however administrated, no religion however sincere, can help the sinner to take even one step toward heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word is absolutely essential to salvation. Psalm 14:1-3; Matthew 7:21-23; John 3:3; Galatians 3:22; Philippians 3:4-9; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:23; I John 3:8-10
5. Salvation
a. The Savior
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death and shed blood, made a full and vicarious payment for sin; it was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just for the unjust; Christ, the Lord bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all sufficient Savior. Isaiah 53:4-6; 53:10-12; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:7; 2:4-10; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:14; 4:11-15; 7:25; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2; 4:10
b. The Saved
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition; of salvation, that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process, that in the New Birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth; that at the moment of salvation we are justified before Almighty God, that justification is not bestowed upon us in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness then being imputed to us from the foundation of the Earth. John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 3:15-16, 36; 5:24; Acts 4:12; 16:30-33; Romans 3:24-25; 5:1; 6:23; 8:29-30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:4; 1:7; 2:1; 2:8-10; 2:13; Hebrews 9:12-15; Hebrews 9:12-15; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 5:21; 1 John 5:11-12;
6. Security of the Believer
a. Assurance
We believe that it is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, to be assured of their salvation from the very moment they take Him to be their Savior; and that this assurance is not founded upon any fancied discovery of their own worthiness but wholly upon the testimony of God in His written Word. Luke 12:32; John 6:37-44; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 1:3-14; II Timothy 1:8-9; Hebrews 12:5-11; I Peter 1:3-5; I John 2:19, 28; 5:13; Jude 1.
b. Eternal State
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever; and that no power in heaven or earth can change either our position or relationship, which becomes ours through faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 37:23-28; John 6:37-44; 10:27-30; Romans 4:4-5; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Philippians 1:6; I Peter 1:3-5; Jude 1.
c. Responsibility
We believe that this does not mean that the believer is not responsible to live a godly, consistent Christian life, but that the evidence of genuine faith is manifested in a true desire to live in a manner that is pleasing to God; and that believers are clearly forbidden to use Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 5-9, 12-14; Titus 2:11-3:2; Hebrews 12:5-11; II Peter 3:14-18; I John 1:9; 2:19, 28; 3:3-6; Jude 1.
7. Christ in the Scriptures
We believe that all Scripture from the first to the last center around Jesus Christ, in His person, His work, and His first and second comings; and hence, that no chapter in the Bible is properly read or understood unless and until it leads to Him; and moreover, that all Scripture from first to last, is designed for our practical instruction in leading us to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23.
8. The Church
a. The Universal Church
We believe that the universal church is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons united by the Holy Spirit to the risen and ascended Son of God; that by the Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, and thus being members one of another we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry, fervently loving one another with a pure heart. Leviticus 18:1-30; Matthew 16:16-18; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:18;
b. The Local Church
We believe that the establishment and continuance of the local church is clearly taught and defined in the Scriptures. The local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; with final authority in all matters of membership, of polity, of government, and of discipline. We believe the purpose of the local church is to disciple believers in accomplishing the great commission. Mathew 28:16-20; Acts 15:4, 13-22; I Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 5:23-32; Colossians 3:14-17; I Timothy 3:1-13; 2 Timothy 2:2.
9. Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; the gifts of evangelist, pastor, and teachers are sufficient for the perfection of the saints today; and, that speaking in tongues, foretelling of the future and the working of miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament books were completed and their authority became established. This in no way takes away from the power of God, or the working of miracles, which God can and does do, according to His divine will; however, we reject faith healers and tongues for this age. I Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:11-13; Romans 12:3-8; I Peter 4:10-11
10. The Two Natures
We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provisions made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and that all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural. Romans 6:12-14 7:14ff; 8:12-15; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10; I Peter 1:14-16.
11. Creation
We believe in the literal six, 24 hour, days of creation as described in the first two chapters of Genesis and that man came by direct creation of God and not by any type of evolution; we further reject the gap theory. Genesis 1&2 ; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17.
12. The Eternal State
a. The Resurrection of All
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:41-43; 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:16-18; 5:24
b. The Saved
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when body and soul are reunited to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and to be glorified forever with the Lord in the new heaven, the new earth and the new Jerusalem. Daniel 7:18; Matthew 25:46; Luke 23:43; John 5:28-29; II Corinthians 5:8-10; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-27
c. The Lost
We believe that the souls of the unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the final judgment, when with body and soul reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, at the close of the millennium, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment. Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 1:5-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8.
13. The Rapture and the Second Coming
We believe that the world will not be converted during this present dispensation, but is fast ripening for judgment; however, we believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming in the air from heaven to rapture the Church. This is personal, imminent, and will take place before the tribulation period. This is the blessed hope that is set forth in the Word of God. We further recognize the premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with His redeemed ones to earth to establish His millennial kingdom over Israel and the nations of the Earth. Jeremiah 30:18-24; 31:31-37; Zechariah 14:1-4; Matthew 24:29-30; Luke 17:26-30; John 14:3; Acts 1:9-11; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; 2:1-4; II Peter 3:3-4; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6.
14. Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience. Genesis 9:5-7; Exodus 18:17-27; II Samuel 23:3; Proverbs 16:12; Daniel 3:17-18; 5:21; Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29; 23:5; 25:10-11; Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17.
15. Ordinances
a. The Number
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ has left two (2) ordinances to be observed by the Church in commemoration of His person and work: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They are not to be regarded, however, as a means of salvation, nor a means of grace by which special merit is obtained.
b. Water Baptism
We believe those professing saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal Savior should be baptized by the pastor or some person authorized by the church, immersed in water in accordance with the Scriptural teaching, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the scriptural teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and one dying to self and his former life and rising again to a new life in Christ. Mark 1:9-11; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-39; 10:47-48; Romans 6:1-5
c. The Lord’s Supper
We believe the Lord’s Supper (Communion) should be regularly observed by the assembled church as scripturally set forth. All those who have trusted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and are walking in fellowship with the Lord shall be welcome to join in this observance. Matthew 26:26-30; 28:19; I Corinthians 11:23-29
