STATEMENT OF FAITH
A. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its ends, and truth without any admixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
-II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet 1:21; Jn. 10:35; Ps 119:89; In. 12:47, 48.
B. THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
-Exod. 20:2-3; I Cor. 8:6; In. 14:16-17 & 26; I In. 5:7; Rev. 4:11.
C. THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and Son of Man.
-Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; In. 1:14.
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person; 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 in testimony; that His is the agent in the new Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
-Jn. 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Hebr. 9:14. In. 14:26; Gen. 1:1-3; In. 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; Jn. 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 8:14-16; Rom. 8:26-27.
E. THE DEVIL, SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed healthy honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ; the accuser of the saints; the author of all false religions; the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-Christ; the author of all the powers of darkness; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in Hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
–Isa. 14:12-15; Eph. 2:2; I Pet 5:8; Rev. 12:9-10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Rev.19:11, 16 20; Rev. 20:10.
F. THE CREATION
We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by direct creation of God and not by evolution.
-Gen. 1-2; Col. 1:16-17; Jn. 1:3.
We believe that Scripture teaches the creation of man and woman and that God instituted and defined marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Scripture also dictates that any sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin before that Lord. - Gen. 1:26-28; 2:5-25; Matthew 19:5; Malachi 2:14; Ex. 20:14; Matthew 5:27-32.
G. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
-Gen. 1:27; Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 3:6-7; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 2:3; Rom 1:18-20; Rom. 3:19-20.
H. THE ATONEMENT
We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, 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 made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinners place, the just dying for the unjust. Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He in now enthroned in Heaven and, uniting in His wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all sufficient Savior.
-Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; In. 3:16; Phil. 2:7; Hebr. 2:14; Isa.53:4-7; Rom 3:25; I In. 4: 10; I Cor. 15:20; II Cor. 5:21; Hebr. 7:25-26.
I. JUSTIFICATION
We believe the Scriptures teach that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but by grace; and that solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood His righteousness is imputed to us.
-Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Rom. 5:1-2, & 9; Titus 3:5-7.
J. REGENERATION
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit by which a new nature and a Spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted and the person becomes a new creation in Christ; a holy disposition is given to the mind, the will subdued, the dominion of sin broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self to a love of holiness and God; the change is instantaneous, effected solely by the power of God in a manner incomprehensible to reason; the evidence of it is found in a changed disposition of mind, the fruits of righteousness and a newness of life. Without it salvation is impossible.
-Jn. 3:3; In. 3:6; I Pet. 1:23; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24; Rom. 6:13; Jn.1:13; II Pet 1:4.
K. SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
In. 6:39; Phil. 1:6; Jude 24-25.
L. REPENTANCE
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit, and consists in a godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one's sin and guilt, together with prayer of confession; also by sincere hatred of sin and a persistent turning away from and abandonment of all that is evil & unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated.
-II Cor. 7:9-10.
M. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in God's esteem; while all such as continue in unbelief are, in His sight, wicked and under the curse. This distinction holds among men both in this life and after death.
Mal. 3:18; Rom. 6:16; I In. 5:19; Prov. 14:32.
N. THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a sovereign congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualification, claims, and duties defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
-I Cor. 11:2; Matt 18:15-20; Matt. 28:20; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3; Titus 1.
O. BAPTISM
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the Crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.
-Acts 8:36-39; Matt 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42.
P. THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord's supper is a provision of bread and wine, a symbol of Christ's body and blood, partaken of by the saved in commemoration of the suffering and death of their Lord; showing their faith and participation in the merits of His sacrifice and their hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead; its observance to be preceded by faithful self examination.
-I Cor. 11:23-32.
Q. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in those things opposed to the will our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth; that civil rulers have no rights or control over or of interference with religious matters.
-Rom. 13:1-7; I Pet 2:13-17; Matt 22:21; I Tim. 2:1-8.
R. THE LAST THINGS
We believe the Scriptures teach these things; the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to resurrect or rapture His saints; the great tribulation period; the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ with His saints to rule over the earth; the judgment of the nations; the resurrection, judgment, and punishment in Hell of the wicked and the eternal bliss of the righteous in Heaven.
-Rev. 22:20; I Thess. 4:14-17; Matt 24:21, 29, 30; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 20:12-15; Rev. 22:14-15.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its ends, and truth without any admixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
-II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet 1:21; Jn. 10:35; Ps 119:89; In. 12:47, 48.
B. THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
-Exod. 20:2-3; I Cor. 8:6; In. 14:16-17 & 26; I In. 5:7; Rev. 4:11.
C. THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and Son of Man.
-Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; In. 1:14.
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person; 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 in testimony; that His is the agent in the new Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
-Jn. 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Hebr. 9:14. In. 14:26; Gen. 1:1-3; In. 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; Jn. 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 8:14-16; Rom. 8:26-27.
E. THE DEVIL, SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed healthy honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ; the accuser of the saints; the author of all false religions; the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-Christ; the author of all the powers of darkness; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in Hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
–Isa. 14:12-15; Eph. 2:2; I Pet 5:8; Rev. 12:9-10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Rev.19:11, 16 20; Rev. 20:10.
F. THE CREATION
We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by direct creation of God and not by evolution.
-Gen. 1-2; Col. 1:16-17; Jn. 1:3.
We believe that Scripture teaches the creation of man and woman and that God instituted and defined marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Scripture also dictates that any sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin before that Lord. - Gen. 1:26-28; 2:5-25; Matthew 19:5; Malachi 2:14; Ex. 20:14; Matthew 5:27-32.
G. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
-Gen. 1:27; Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 3:6-7; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 2:3; Rom 1:18-20; Rom. 3:19-20.
H. THE ATONEMENT
We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, 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 made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinners place, the just dying for the unjust. Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He in now enthroned in Heaven and, uniting in His wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all sufficient Savior.
-Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; In. 3:16; Phil. 2:7; Hebr. 2:14; Isa.53:4-7; Rom 3:25; I In. 4: 10; I Cor. 15:20; II Cor. 5:21; Hebr. 7:25-26.
I. JUSTIFICATION
We believe the Scriptures teach that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but by grace; and that solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood His righteousness is imputed to us.
-Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Rom. 5:1-2, & 9; Titus 3:5-7.
J. REGENERATION
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit by which a new nature and a Spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted and the person becomes a new creation in Christ; a holy disposition is given to the mind, the will subdued, the dominion of sin broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self to a love of holiness and God; the change is instantaneous, effected solely by the power of God in a manner incomprehensible to reason; the evidence of it is found in a changed disposition of mind, the fruits of righteousness and a newness of life. Without it salvation is impossible.
-Jn. 3:3; In. 3:6; I Pet. 1:23; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24; Rom. 6:13; Jn.1:13; II Pet 1:4.
K. SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
In. 6:39; Phil. 1:6; Jude 24-25.
L. REPENTANCE
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit, and consists in a godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one's sin and guilt, together with prayer of confession; also by sincere hatred of sin and a persistent turning away from and abandonment of all that is evil & unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated.
-II Cor. 7:9-10.
M. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in God's esteem; while all such as continue in unbelief are, in His sight, wicked and under the curse. This distinction holds among men both in this life and after death.
Mal. 3:18; Rom. 6:16; I In. 5:19; Prov. 14:32.
N. THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a sovereign congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualification, claims, and duties defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
-I Cor. 11:2; Matt 18:15-20; Matt. 28:20; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3; Titus 1.
O. BAPTISM
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the Crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.
-Acts 8:36-39; Matt 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42.
P. THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord's supper is a provision of bread and wine, a symbol of Christ's body and blood, partaken of by the saved in commemoration of the suffering and death of their Lord; showing their faith and participation in the merits of His sacrifice and their hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead; its observance to be preceded by faithful self examination.
-I Cor. 11:23-32.
Q. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in those things opposed to the will our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth; that civil rulers have no rights or control over or of interference with religious matters.
-Rom. 13:1-7; I Pet 2:13-17; Matt 22:21; I Tim. 2:1-8.
R. THE LAST THINGS
We believe the Scriptures teach these things; the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to resurrect or rapture His saints; the great tribulation period; the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ with His saints to rule over the earth; the judgment of the nations; the resurrection, judgment, and punishment in Hell of the wicked and the eternal bliss of the righteous in Heaven.
-Rev. 22:20; I Thess. 4:14-17; Matt 24:21, 29, 30; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 20:12-15; Rev. 22:14-15.
