We believe that the Holy Bible is the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God, inerrant, infallible; that it was written by holy men divinely inspired and moved by the Holy Ghost, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture 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 authority and standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
(1) By the "Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
(2) By "Inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
(3) By "Preservation" we mean that God has promised to keep His divinely inspired Word pure, complete, and free from error throughout all generations until Heaven and Earth have passed away.
(3) We accept the Authorized 1611 version (King James Version) of the Bible as God's fulfillment of His promise of preservation to us as English speaking Christians. We believe this version to be an accurate translation of the pure line of manuscripts, these manuscripts being the Masoretic Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Byzantine (Textus Receptus, Majority Text) manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; 3:21; II Samuel 23:2; Acts 28:25; Psalm 119:89, 130 160; I Corinthians 2:12-13; Luke 24:25-27,44.45; Psalm 12:6-7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:8; I Peter 1:23-25; John 10:35; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Luke 16:17,29-31; 21:33; John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Revelation 22:18-19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 19:7-11; John 5:39, 45-47; Romans 10:17
We believe that 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 Spirit - equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Romans 3:30; 1 Timothy 2:5
(1) Of God The Father
We believe the Scriptures teach that God the Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the events of human history according to the purposes of His grace; that He is unchangeable in holiness, love and truth; that He is Father in truth to those who are children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and fatherly in His attitude toward all men, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:1; 17:1; Exodus 3:14; 15:11; 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Revelation 4: 11; I Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; I John 1:5; 4:8; Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15
(2) Of God The Son
We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, co-equal, co essential, and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the second Person of the Trinity; that He was born into this world of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both perfect God and perfect man; that He lived a sinless life, honoring the divine Law by His personal obedience, yet identifying Himself completely with mankind; that He died a substitutionary death on the cross securing redemption through His shed blood for sinners; that He supernaturally ascended into the heavens to be exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father where He is the Head over His churches, the Mediator and Advocate with God the Father for all believers: and that He is supernaturally coming again to this world to reign personally and visibly over the earth.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:1-31 14; Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:8; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20; I Corinthians 15:47; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 8:58; 17:5; Philippians 2:5-11; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; Romans 9:5; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 13:8; II Corinthians 5:21;Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 1:8; Hebrews 10:12; I John 2:1; Isaiah 53:6;
I Peter 2:24; 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Colossians 1:18
(3) Of God The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person co-equal, co-essential, co-eternal, and co-active with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; 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 for He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the Agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Acts 5:3-4, 30-32; 11:16; I Corinthians 2:10-11; 12:4-6; Hebrews 9:14; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27; I Peter 1:2
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively; that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods, that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or developments through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animals and vegetable life were made directly; and that God’s established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind." We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
Genesis 1:1-5, 31; Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11
We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression through an act of deliberate disobedience fell from that holy, sinless and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the Law of God, positively inclined to evil; that upon reaching a capability of moral action and discernment becomes a transgressor and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:1, 11, 25-27, 31; 2:21-23, 6:12; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19, 23; 5:12, 19; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Galatians 3:10, 22; Psalm 51:6; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 2:3; Matthew 20:15
We believe the Scriptures teach that sin is any transgression of or want of conformity to, the revealed will of God; that it has permeated the entire universe, including every realm and affecting every race and species amongst creation; that every man is born with a sin nature, an inherent inclination toward evil which results in acts of wrong-doing; that the wages of sin is death being separation from God in this life and throughout eternity.
I John 3:4; Numbers 32:23; Isaiah 53:13; Matthew 7:23; 23:28; Romans 6:19; Judges 20:16; Romans 3:23; I Samuel 15:23; Jeremiah 2:25; Luke 19:14; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Genesis 3:14, 18; Romans 8:22; 1:18-32; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; John 3:19; James 4:17; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; Romans 5:12, 14; Ephesians 2:1; 4:8; Matthew 10:23; Revelation 20:15
We believe the Scripture teach that salvation of sinners is wholly of the grace of God, through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(1) Of The Law And The Gospel
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their sinful nature; to deliver them from which and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is the one great end of the Gospel and of the means of Grace.
Romans 3:20, 31, 8:2, 4, 7-8; 10:4; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 4:15; 7:7, 12, 14, 22, 25; Galatians 2:16, 3:21; I Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 7:12,19, 8:10
(2) Of God's Purpose Of Grace
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves those sinners who by faith believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; and that it is the foundation of Christian assurance.
Genesis 6:8; II Timothy 1:8-9; II Thessalonians 2:13-14; II Timothy 2:10; Titus 2:11; I Corinthians 9:22; Romans 8:29-30; John 1:14, 17, 6:37-40; II Peter 1:10; I Thessalonians 4:10; Isaiah 42:16
(3) Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection will subject him in an aggravated condemnation.
I Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1, 6-7; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Acts 2:38; John 3:15-16; I Timothy 1:15; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4- 5; John 15:40; John 3:18, 36
(4) Of the Atonement For Sin
We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God who by appointment and will 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 consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; and that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3, 20; II Corinthians 5:21;John 10:18; Galatians 1:4; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; Isaiah 53:11-12, Hebrews 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; I John 2:2
(5) Of 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 creature in Christ Jesus; that a holy disposition is given to the mind, the will subdued, the dominion of sin is broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self, to a love of holiness and God; that the change is instantaneous and not a process, effected not by culture or character, nor by the will of man, but solely through the power of God through the Word 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. And without it salvation is impossible.
John 3:3, 6; I Peter 1:23; James 1:18; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 2:29; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 1:13,2:13; Romans 6:13; John 1:12-13; I Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5-7
(6) Of Repentance
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit of God, and consists in a godly sorrow over 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 for pardon; also by sincere hatred of sin, and a persistent turning away from, and abandonment of all that is evil and unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated.
Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; Acts 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; Luke 18:13; 24:47;
ll Corinthians 7:2; Romans 2:5; Isaiah 55:7; Psalm 51:1-4, 7; 2 Peter 3:9;
(7) Of Faith
We believe the Scriptures teach that faith, inseparably united with repentance, is a solemn obligation and an evangelical grace wrought in our soul by the quickening Spirit of God; that it is an assent of the mind and a consent of the heart, consisting mainly of belief and trust, wherein the testimony of God is implicitly accepted and believed as true, while Christ is unreservedly received for salvation; that through it the believer is brought into vital relations with God, as seeing Him Who is invisible, freely justified; that it reveals Christ to the soul as willing and sufficient Savior, and commits the heart and life to Him.
Luke 7:50; Acts 16:31; Romans 1:17; 3:22; 5:1, 10:3, 9-13; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 1·1:1, 6; James 2:23; Jeremiah 17:7; Psalm 34:22; 125:1; II Corinthians 5:7
(8) Of 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 the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Exodus 23:7; Job 9:20; John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isaiah 3:11-12; Romans 5:1-3, 9, 11; 8:1, 33-34;Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:6; Acts 10:43; Matthew 6:33; I Corinthians 1:30-31; I Timothy 4:8; Isaiah 53:11
(9) Of Adoption
We believe the Scriptures teach that adoption is a gracious act by which the Father, for the sake of Christ, accepts believers to the estate and condition of children, by a new and spiritual birth, sending the Spirit of Adoption into their hearts, whereby they become members of the family of God, and entitled to all rights, privileges, and promises of children; and if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; reserving us to the heritage of all saints on earth, and an inheritance reserved in Heaven for them.
John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 3:26; 4:5-7; Ephesians 1:5; I John 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:7; I Peter 2:9
(10) Of Sanctification
We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is that work by which, according to the will of God, we are set apart unto God and made partakers of His holiness; that it is both a declared fact and a progressive work; that it begun in regeneration; and that it is carried out in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, through the continual use of the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer, and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties.
Isaiah 5:16; Acts 26:18; II Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 7:1; 13:5-9; Ephesians 1:4; 4: 11-12; Proverbs 4:18; I Corinthians 1.30; Hebrews 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; Philemon 12-16; Philippians 2:12-13; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; I Timothy 4:7
(11) Of The Preservation Of The Saints
We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit of God, cannot 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 that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 6:39, 66-69; 8:31-32; 13:8; I John 2:19, 27-28; 3:9; 5:18; Matthew 13:19-21; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Matthew 6:20, 30-33; John 1:12, 4:4; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Hebrews 1:14; 13:5; John 10:28-29; 16:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 1:12; I Peter 1:5
(12) Of 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 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 felicity of the saved, and the everlasting conscious suffering in the lake of fire of the lost.
Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:50; Genesis 18:23; Jeremiah 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16, 18, 22-23; 7:6; I John 2:7, 29; 3:7; 5:19; I Corinthians 11:32; 15:22; Galatians 3:10; John 3:36; Isaiah 5:20, 55:6-7; 57:21; Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:2124; 12:25-26; Luke 9:26; 12:4-5; 11:23- 26; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 1:18
(1) Of The Devil, or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels (demons); 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 Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power in back of the present apostasy, the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; Ephesians 2:2; II Peter 2:4; John 14:30; I Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:1-3; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Matthew 13:25, 37, 39; Luke 22:3-4; Revelation 12:10; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22; Revelation 13:13-14; 12:7-9; 19:111 16, 20; 20:1-3 10; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; Matthew 25:41
(2) Of Angels
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a vast celestial kingdom of spirit beings called Angels, in ages past created holy, glorious, and higher than man; a vast company of various ranks worshiping God, ministering to His glorious Person and to His children.
Psalm 148:2, 5; Colossians 1:16; Nehemiah 9:6 Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 103:20; 104;4; Daniel 9:21-22; Luke 9:26; Mark 8:38; Daniel 10:13; 12:1; Revelation 12:7; Psalm 80:1; 99:1,11; Revelation 4:6-8; Ezekiel 1:4-28; Isaiah 6:1-3; II Thessalonians1:7-8; Psalm 34:7; Acts 12:7-11; II Kings 6:17 Jude 9
We believe that a church of Christ is a 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 pastors (bishops, elders), and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Scriptures.
We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples: second, to build up the Church by baptizing those believers; third, to teach and instruct as He commanded; that His order cannot be reversed; that each church has the absolute right of self government free from any interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only Head of each church is Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for churches of like faith and order to co-operate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, but that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; that in all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of each church is final.
Acts 2:41-421 47; 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; I Corinthians 4:17; 5:51 11, 18; 11:2, 23; II Corinthians 8:5, 23-24; I Timothy 3:5, 15; II Thessalonians 3:7; Romans 16:17-20; Matthew 18:15-20; 28:19-20; John 14:15; 15:10; I John 4:21; I Thessalonians 4:2; II John 6; Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23 15-23; 20: 17 28; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; I Corinthians 12:4, 8-11;Acts 6:5-6; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24;I Peter 5:1- 4; Jude 3-4; I Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
John 20:1, 11-17, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2
(1) Of Scriptural Baptism
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of the believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, preformed with the church's authority; to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the work accomplished by the Holy Ghost, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; and our commitment to walk in newness of life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership; that infants are God's little ones, whether children of Christian or non-Christian parents, and are safe in Christ until an age of moral accountably is reached, thus making any thoughts of "infant baptism" unnecessary.
Matthew 3:1-16; 21:24-25; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12-13, 26-39; 9:17-18; 10:25-26, 44-48; 16:14-15, 25-37; 18:7-11; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Proverbs 20:11
(2) Of The Lord's Supper
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord's Supper, is a provision of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, as symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood; partaken of by the members of the Church, in commemoration of the suffering and death of their Lord, showing their faith in the merits of His sacrifice; and in hopeful anticipation of His return; its observance to be preceded by faithful self-examination.
Matthew 26:27-30; 28:20; Mark 14:20-26; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 10:16; 11:2, 17-34
We believe the Scriptures teach that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the gospel to all nations, the care of the churches, and the support of the ministry is by the tithes and offerings of His people. That tithes and offerings are to be given to the Lord through His church to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises; that the time to tithe is upon the first day of the week; that everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income; and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church.
Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:8; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 8:18; Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; I Corinthians 9:1·3-14; 16:1-2; Hebrews 7:2, 4; Acts 4:35, 37; Proverbs 3:9; I Corinthians 8:3, 12; 9:7-8; Luke 6:38
We believe the Scriptures teach that God has given the Church a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ; as ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:20
We believe the Scriptures teach that it is necessary to maintain a total and complete separation from all forms of heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy. We believe the Scripture admonishes us to try them, mark them, rebuke them, have no fellowship with them, withdraw ourselves, receive them not, have no company with them, reject them, and separate ourselves from them.
Romans 16:17; II Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 5: 11: II Thessalonians 3:6, 14; Titus 1:13; 3:10; I John 4:1; II John 10-11
(1) Of the Return of Christ
We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ rose literally and bodily from the dead on the third day; that having ascended into glory, He alone is our merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God; that this same Jesus shall return to earth bodily, personally, and visibly; His return will be in two distinct phases separated by a seven year period called the Tribulation. In the first phase of His Coming, Jesus will call his saints (both dead and alive) from the earth to meet Him in the air in the twinkling of an eye. At that time He will escort His Bride to heaven to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The second phase culminates in Jesus Christ returning with His saints to execute judgment on an unbelieving world, and dwell on earth for a period of one thousand years. During this time He sets up His glorious kingdom and throne in the city of Jerusalem on Mount Zion for a millennium of peace and righteousness. At the end of the one thousand year Millennium there will be a final battle between Christ and Satan. Christ’s victory will result in Satan being cast into the Lake of Fire. Finally at the Great White Throne Judgment all Christ-rejecting sinners will be raised, judged, and cast into the lake of fire for everlasting damnation, while the saved will live with Him for eternity according to the sure promises of God.
Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:21, 4-6, 19, 51; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6, 19; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:1, 6; 12:2; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrew 2:17; 5:9-10; John 14:1-3; I Thessalonians 4:14-18; Matthew 24:27, 35, 42; Hebrews 9:28; I Corinthians 15:251 42-44, 51-53; Philippians 4:20-21; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 11:4-5; Psalm 72:8; Revelation 20:1-4; 6, 15;- 21:7-8, 24-27; 22:11; I Peter 4:7; I Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Revelation 1:7; I John 2;17; Acts 24:15; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25- 26; ll Timothy 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matthew 13:37-43, 49; 25:35-41; II Peter 2:9, 11-12; Revelation 20:20
(2) Of the Judgment of Believers
We believe the Scriptures teach that there are two resurrections where God's judgments are manifested. The Judgment Seat of Christ is where saved believers appear to give account of their works, both good and evil, that follow them to heaven. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment to determine salvation, for all who appear at the Judgment seat of Christ are born again and are judged as to their works of service to the Savior.
Hebrews 9:27; Psalm 7:11; 1 Corinthians 4:4
(3) Of the Judgment of the Lost
We believe the Scriptures teach that at the end of the Millennium (the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth) Death and Hell will give up the dead for final judgment and retribution before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment; that these wicked will be adjudged to sorrow and conscious torment in the Lake of Fire for ever, and that this judgment will fix the final state of all unsaved men without remedy for eternity.
Revelation 20:11-15; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 10:28
(1) Of Family
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and church. The Husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate Scriptural discipline.
Genesis 1:26-28; Colossians 3:18 - 21; Ephesians 5:21 - 28
(2) Of Love
We believe that we should demonstrate Christ-like love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring of up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat of the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; John 13:34-35, Romans 12:19, Jude 22, I Corinthians 13
(3) Of Human Sexuality
We believe the Scriptures teach that God created man and woman with reproductive powers reserved one for the other; that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of marriage between one man and one woman; that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, whoremongering, transvestism, pornography, and such other ungodly means as may be devised is an unnatural, sinful perversion of human sexuality, that is antithetical to true love and God's gift of sex; that it is sure to bring horrible nature consequences as well as God's judgment if not repented of; and that a blurring of the distinction between men and women is avoided.
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24; 19:5-7, 13; 26:8-11; Leviticus 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-29; l Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; I Thessalonians 4: 1-8; Hebrews 13:4;
(4) Of Divorce and Remarriage
We believe the Scriptures teach that marriage between one man and one woman is a reflection of Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church, and is therefore intended to be a permanent lifelong commitment; Although divorce is the result of the hardness of the heart it is not beyond the forgiving grace of God. It is recognized that some have divorce thrust upon them against their will or are compelled to resort to it for legal or physical protection. While divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the Church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon.
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6, I Corinthians 7:1-16
(5) Of Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
I Corinthians 6:1-8; Matthew 18:15-20; Ephesians 4:31-32
(6) Of the Sanctity of Human Life
We believe the Scriptures teach life is precious in the sight of God; that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being created in the image of God; that abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life and is therefore murder; we reject any teaching that supports abortions of pregnancies because of rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or mental well-being of the mother as unbiblical and contrary to God’s will.
We also believe that the active taking of a human life through euthanasia or assisted suicide constitutes a violation of the sanctity of human life and is a crime against God and man.
Exodus 20:13; Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, 71:5-6, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; 20:15-18; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44
(7) Of Civil Government
We believe that the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; that all those in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the rulers of the earth; that civil rulers have no rights or control over, or interference with, religious matters; that churches and religious organizations should receive no help from the State, except protection and full freedom in the pursuit of spiritual ends; and that the requiring of an implicit faith and absolute blind obedience destroys liberty of conscience and reason.
Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-14, 17; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Timothy 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 5:15-18; 6:7, 10;Acts 4: 18-20; Matthew23: 10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:14; Psalm 72:11; II Samuel 23:4; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Philippians 2:10-11
· The Church adopts the historic principles peculiar to Baptists down through the ages:
· The preeminence of Christ as our divine Lord and Master.
· The supreme authority of the Bible and its sufficiency as our only rule of faith and practice.
· The right of private interpretation of the Bible and the competency of the individual soul in direct approach to God.
· The absolute separation of Church and State.
· A regenerate Church membership.
· The beautiful, symbolic ordinance of believer's baptism by immersion in obedience to the command of Christ.
· The complete independence of the Church.
· The solemn obligation of majority rule, guaranteeing equal rights to all and affording special privileges to none.
· The spiritual unity of all believers for which the Saviour so earnestly prayed.
· A world-wide program of missionary fervor and evangelism in obedience to the final command of the Lord Jesus Christ
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized 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 aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church, in faithfulness, knowledge, and holiness; to promote its unity, prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly of our property and possessions for the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously train and educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; denying ungodliness, and every worldly lust, to walk circumspectly in the world, to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from conduct or substances detrimental to the testimony of this Church and our Savior, to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Lord.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in 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.
