STATEMENT OF FAITH


  1. THE SCRIPTURES

    We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, is verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is truth without error. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian union and is the final authority in all areas of faith, practice, and life with which it deals.


    II Timothy 3:16,17 II Peter 1:19-21 Hebrews 1:1


  2. THE TRUE GOD

    We believe ...

    • there is one, ond only one, living and true God;
    • an infinite, intelligent Spirit and Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth;
    • inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worth of all honor, confidence, and love;
    • that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
    • equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

    Exodus 20:2,3 John 1 John 10:30 I Corinthians 8:6
    Colossians 1:16-19 I John 5:7 Revelstion 4:11


  3. THE HOLY SPIRIT

    We believe ...

    • that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature;
    • that He was active in creation;
    • that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God's purpose is fulfilled;
    • that He bares witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony;
    • that He is the Agent in the new birth;
    • that He seals, provides, guides, teaches, witnesses, comforts, and helps the believer.

    Genesis 1:1,2 Matthew 28:19 Luke 24:49
    John 3:5,6 John 14:26 John 16:7-11
    Acts 5:30-32 Romans 8:14,16,26,27 Ephesians 1:13,14


  4. THE DEVIL, OR SATAN

    We believe ...

    • in the personality of Satan,
    • that he is the unholy god of this age, the price of the power of the air, and the author of all the powers of darkness,
    • and is destined to the judgement of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire.

    Isaiah 14:12 Matthew 4:1-3 II Corinthians 4:4
    Ephesians 2:2 Ephesians 6:11,12 Revelation 20:10


  5. THE CREATION

    We accept the Genesis account of creation, and believe that mankind came by direct creation of God and not by evolution.


    Genesis 1:1,2 John 1:3 Colossians 1:16,17


  6. THE FALL OF MAN

    We believe that man was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, the result being that all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but by choice and therefore under just condemnation without defence or excuse.


    Genesis 3:1-6 John 3:18,19 Romans 1:18
    Romans 1:32 Romans 3:10-19 Romans 5:19


  7. CHRIST'S ATTONEMENT, RESURRECTION, ACENSION, AND INTERCESSION FOR US

    We believe ...

    • that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God who, by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself the form of a servant, honored the Divine Law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full vicarious (substitutionary) atonement for our sins;
    • that His atonement consisted not by setting an example by His death as a martyr, but 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 is now enthroned in heaven at the right hand of God the Father;
    • and, uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.

    Matthew 5:17 Romans 5:8 Romans 8:34
    II Corinthians 5:21 Ephesians 2:8,9 Philippians 2:7,8
    I Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 4:15 I Peter 2:24


  8. GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION

    We believe ...

    • that, in order to be saved, sinners must be born again;
    • that the new birth is a new creation in Christ;
    • that it is instantaneous and not a process;
    • that in the new birth the one dead in trespass and 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 so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel;
    • that its proper evidences appear in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.

    John 3:3 Acts 16:30-32 Romans 6:23 II Corinthians 5:17
    Galatians 5:22,23 Ephesians 2:1 Colossians 2:23 II Peter 1:4
    I John 3:6-8 I John 5:1


  9. JUSTIFICATION

    Justification includes the 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 that solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood His righteousness is accounted unto us.


    Isaiah 53:11 Acts 13:39 Romans 5:1 Romans 5:9 Titus 3:5


  10. ETERNAL SALVATION

    We believe that salvation is by grace through faith apart from works or character; that those who are truly saved are saved eternally, and that nothing or no one can separate them from the eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


    John 10:27 Romans 8:35-39 Ephesians 2:8,9 Titus 3:5


  11. THE TWO NATURES

    We believe that those born again possess two natures, and that we may be victorious over the old nature through the power of the new nature, but that eradication of the old nature is unscriptural.


    Romans 6:13 Romans 7:22-25 Romans 8:12,13 Romans 13:14
    Galatians 5:16-18 Ephesians 4:22-24 Colossians 3:1-10 I Peter 1:14-16


  12. SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

    We believe that all the saved are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful pleasures.


    Romans 12:2 II Corinthians 6:14-17 II Corinthians 7:1 James 4:4 I John 2:15-17


  13. REWARDS

    We believe ...

    • God, in the Scriptures, offers rewards for the faithful service of the saved;
    • that the rewards will be received at the Judgement Seat of Christ at His coming in the air;
    • and that the loss of these rewards may be incurred by the unfaithfulness of the saved without effect as to their salvation.

    I Corinthians 3:11-15 II Corinthians 5:10 Colossians 3:23,24 Revelation 22:12


  14. CHRIST'S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

    We believe that the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the perfection of the church today. The apostolic age of signs, including tounges and healing, ceased with the completion of God's Word, these signs being required by the Jew. But we believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, according to His will, for the sick and afflicted.


    I Corinthians 1:22 I Corinthians 12:7-9 I Corinthians 12 I Corinthians 13:8-13 Ephesians 4:7-12


  15. THE TRUE CHURCH

    We believe that the true and complete church is composed of all born-again believers from the day it was founded by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost until it is caught up at the Rapture. It is also called the Bride, the Body of Christ, and He is its Head.


    John 3:3-5 Acts 2:1-4 I Corinthians 12:12-27 II Corinthians 11:1,2
    Ephesians 1:22,23 Ephesians 4:4 Colossians 1:18 I Thessalonians 4:16,17
    Revelation 19:7,8 Revelation 22:17


  16. THE LOCAL CHURCH

    We believe that the New Testament local church is a congregation of immersed believers ...


    • associated by covenant of 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 scriptural offices are pastors (also called elders and bishops) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.

    We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold ...


    • that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations;
    • that it is scriptural for for local churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel;
    • but each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation.

    On all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence the will of the local church is final.


    Acts 2:41,42 Acts 20:17 Acts 20:28 I Corinthians 11:2
    I Corinthians 11:23-26 I Timothy 3:8-13 I Timothy 5:17 I Peter 5:1-4


  17. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

    We believe ...

    • that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful symbol our faith in and our identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior with its effects in our death to sin and the resurrection to a new life;
    • that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a full church membership;
    • that it follows regeneration and is to be administered by a minister who himself has been baptized.

    We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemeration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.


    Matthew 3:16 Matthew 26:26-29 Mark 14:22-24
    Luke 22:19,20 John 3:23 Acts 8:36-39
    Romans 6:3-5 I Corinthians 11:23-28 Colossians 2:12


  18. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

    We believe ...

    • that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of humand society;
    • that magistrates are to be prayed for and conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of Conscience and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.

    Daniel 3:17,18 Matthew 22:21 Acts 4:19,20 Acts 23:5
    Romans 3:1-7 I Timothy 2:1,2 Titus 3:1


  19. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

    We believe ...

    • 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 our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem;
    • while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse;
    • and this distinction holds among men both in and after death -- in the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting, conscious suffering of the lost.

    Genesis 18:23 Proverbs 14:32 Malachi 3:18
    Romans 6:17-23 Romans 7:6 I John 5:19


  20. HEAVEN, HELL, AND THE LAKE OF FIRE

    We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, not simultaneously but in their proper order and time -- the just to enjoy everlasting blessedness in heaven; and the unjust to suffer everlasting, conscious punishment in the Lake of Fire.


    Acts 24:14,15 I Corinthians 15:51,52 Revelation 20:11-15


  21. THE JUDGEMENTS

    We believe that, among the many judgements mentioned in Scriptures, five are invested with sufficient significance to be consuidered here:


    1. the judgement of the believer's sin on the cross,
    2. the believer's self-judgement,
    3. the judgement of the believer's works at the Judgement Seat,
    4. the judgement of the nations at the return of Christ to earth,
    5. and the judgement of the wicked dead at the Great White Throne.

    Matthew 25:34-41 Romans 5:18 I Corinthians 3:11-15 I Corinthians 11:31,32
    II Corinthians 5:10 II Corinthians 5:21 Revelation 20:11-15


  22. CHRIST'S SECOND COMING AND RELATED EVENTS

    We believe Scriptures teach:


    The Rapture and Resurrection of the Just
    I Corinthians 15:51,52
    I Thessalonians 4:15-17
    The Judgement Seat
    I Corinthians 3:15
    II Corinthians 5:10
    The Great Tribulation
    Matthew 24:21,22
    II Thessalonians 2:1-12
    Revelation 7:4
    Revelation 12:13-17
    Revelation 16:10
    The Second Advent and Armageddon
    Revelation 16:13-16
    Revelation 19:11-21
    The Restoration of Israel
    Zecaraiah 12:9
    Zecaraiah 13:6
    Romans 11:2
    The Judgement of the Nations Matthew 25:31-46
    The Millenial Reign
    Isaiah 11
    Revelation 20:1-6
    The Little Season and Satan's Doom
    Revelation 20:3
    Revelation 20:7-10
    Resurrection of the Unjust and Final Judgement Revelation 20:11-15
    The New Heaven and the New Earth Revelation 21:1-8


  23. DOCTRINE OF ELECTION

    We believe that all men are totally depraved, without the ability to come to God, and are hopelessly lost, but that God -- in His sovereign grace, and apart from any consideration of foreseen human merit or response, and in perfect consistence with human responsibility -- chose some before the foundation of the world to be recipients of His grace in Christ. As the Gospel is obediently preached to all nations, these elect ones are caused to hear it, and their hearts are opened to the Holy Spirit so that they freely and gladly receive Christ as their Savior, thus becoming children of God.


    John 6:44 John 6:65 Acts 13:48 Romans 8:29,30 Ephesians 1:4-6




CHURCH COVENANT


Having been lead, as we believe, by the Holy Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.


We engage, therefore, by the aide of the Holy Spirit ...

  • to walk together in Christian love;
  • to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort;
  • to promote its prosperity and spirituality;
  • to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine;
  • to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of its ministry, the expences of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage ...

  • to maintain family and private devotions;
  • to rear our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord;
  • to seek the salvation of our kindred and aquaintances;
  • to walk circumspectly in the world;
  • to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment;
  • to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and sinful anger;
  • to abstain from the abuse of controlled substances;
  • and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage ...

  • to watch over one another in brotherly love;
  • to remember each other in prayer;
  • to to aid each other in sickness and distress;
  • to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech;
  • to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.