We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God.  The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and practice.  The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man.  God has preserved His Word from all error to this day.  The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal, grammatical, historical meaning.  The King James Version shall be the official and only translation used in the public services of the Church (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matt 5:17-18; Mark 13:31; Psalms 12:6-7).

(B) The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature; co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut 6:4; Mat 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; John 14:10,26).

 

(C) The Person and Work of Christ
1.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became 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 (Isa 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Phil 2:5-8).
 
2.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Rom 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24; Eph 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

 

3.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Heb 9:24; 7:25; Rom 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).

 

(D) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
1.We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (1 John 1;6:8-11; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 12:12-14; 2 Cor 3:6; Eph 1:13-14).

 

2.We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27).

 

3.We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.  God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom 12:3-8;  1 Cor 12:4-11, 28; Eph 4:7-12).

 

4.We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary.  We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (1 Cor 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22).

 

(E) The Person 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; that he is now the militant 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, and the author of all the powers of darkness, destined, however, to final defeat at the hand of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels (Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:14-17; Rev 12:9; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Eph 2:2; John 14:30; 1 Thess 3:5; Mat 4:1-3; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Mat 13:25; Luke 22:3-4; Rev 12:10; 2 Cor 11:14; 2 Thess 2:8-11; Rev 19:11,16,20; Rev 12:7-9; Rev 20:1-3,10; Mat 25:41).

 

(F) Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation (i.e. one day equals 24 hours), and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; 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 development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was created by the direct act of God with His established law that they should bring forth only "after their kind" (Gen 1:1; Exo 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col 1:16-17; Heb 11:3; John 1:3; Rev 10:6; Rom 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer 10:12; Neh 9:6; Gen 1:26-27; Gen 2:21-23; Gen 1:11, 24).

 

(G) The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, the consequence of which, all men are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Gen 3:1-6,24; Rom 5:12,19; Rom 3:10-19; Eph 2:1,3; Rom 1:18; Ezek 18:19-20;  Rom 1:32; 1:20, 28; Gal 3:22).

 

(H) 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 women; and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Mat 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa 2:7; Gal 4:4; 1 John 5:29; 1 Cor 15:47).

 

(I) The Atonement for Sin
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 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 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; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, and is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all-suffering Savior (Eph 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom 3:24; John 3:16; Mat 18:11; Phil 2:7; Heb 2:14; Isa 53:4-7; Rom 3:25; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21; John 10:18; Phil 2:8; Gal 1:4; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18; Isa 53:11-12; Heb 12:2; 1 Cor 15:20; Heb 9:12-15; Heb 7:25; 1 John 2:2).

 

(J) The 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 Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses 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, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in our holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life ( John 3:3; 2 Cor 5:17; Luke 5:27; 1 John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; 2 Pet 1:4; Rom 6:23; Eph 2:1; 2 Cor 5:19; Col 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal 5:22; Eph 5:9).

 

(K) The Freeness of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace; 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 a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel which rejection continues him in an aggravated condemnation (1 Thess 1:4; Col 3:12; 1 Pet 1:2; Tit 1:1; Rom 8:29-30; Mat 11:28; Isa 55:11; Rev 22:17; Rom 10:13; John 6:37; Isa 55:6; Acts 2:28; Isa 55:7; John 3:15-16; 1 Tim 1:15; 1 Cor 15:10; Eph 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18,36).

 

(L) The Justification of Sinners
We believe 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 solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood  His righteousness is imputed to us (Tit 3:5-7; Rom 1:17; Hab 2:4; Gal 3:11; Rom 4:1-8; Heb 10:38; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11; Zech 13:1; Rom 8:1; Rom 5:1,9). 

 

(M) Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our soul by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior (Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom 10:13; Psa 51:1-4,7; Isa 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom 10:9-11).

(N) The Church
We believe that the church with Christ as its Founder and Head, is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges in them by His Word; that its offices are Pastors (Elders, Bishops) and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly 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; third to teach and instruct as Christ commanded.  We do not believe in the reversal of this order.  We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only superintendent  is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of cooperation.  On all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor 11:2; Eph 1:22-23; 4:11; 1 cor 12:4,8-11; Acts 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:23; 20:17-28; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Mat 28:19-20; Col 1:18; Eph 5:23-24; 1 Pet 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3,4; 2 cor 8:23-24; 1 Cor 16:1,2; Mal 3:10; Lev 27:32; 1 Cor 5:11-13; 6:1-3).

 

(O) The Ordinances of Baptism and The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, 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; that it is the prerequisite to the privilege of a church relationship and to the Lord's Supper in which the members of the church, by sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination (Acts 8:36-39; Mat 3:6, 16; John 3:23; Rom 6:4-5; Mat 28:19-20; Col 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor 11:23-28).

 

(P) The Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that only real believers 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 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Col 1:21-23; 1 John 2:19; Mat 13:19-21; Rom 8:28, 35-39; Mat 6:20; Psa 121:3; Heb 1:14; 1 Pet 1:5; Phil 1:6).

 

(Q) 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 the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; which all such who 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 everlasting conscious suffering of the lost (Mal 3:18; Gen 18:23; Rom 6:16-18,23; Prov 11:31; 1 Pet 4:18; Rom 1:17; 1 Cor 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; 1 John 2:29; 2:7; 5:19; Gal 3:10; Rom 7:6; Prov 14:32; Luke 9:26;16:25; Mat 25:34,41; John 8:21; 12:25; Mat 7:13-14).

 

(R) Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: (1) The Home; (2) The Church; and (3) The State.  Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word.  God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other.  The home, the Church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.  It is for the interests and good order of human society that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth (Rom 13:1-7; 2 Sam 23:3; Exo 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Mat 22:21; Tit 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13-14,17; Acts 4:19-20; Dan 3:17-18; Mat 10:28; 23:10; Phil 2:10-11; Psa 72:11; Heb 13:17; Eph 5:22-24).

 

(S) Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside a marriage between a man and a woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex (Gen 2:24; 19:5; 26:8-9; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; 1 Cor 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess 4:1-8; Heb 13:4).

 

(T) The Resurrection and Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value.  Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God"; that "this  same Jesus which was taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" - i.e. bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet" (Mat 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor 15:4,25,42-44,51-54; Mark 16:6,19; Luke 24:2,4-6,51; Acts 1:9,11; Rev 3:21; Heb 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:1,6; 12:2; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 John 2:1; John 14:3; 1 Thes 4:16-17; Mat 24:27,42; Heb 9:28; Phil 4:20-21; Luke 1:32; Isa 11:4-5; Psa 72:8; Rom 20:1-4,6).

 

(U) Missions
We believe 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 believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to our families, our neighbors, and to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Mat 28:19-20; Mark 5:19; 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 5:42; 2 Cor 5:20).

 

(V) 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 resource necessary to resolve personal disputes between members.  We do believe, 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 (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph 4:31-32).

 

(W) Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being.  Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of an unborn human life.  Abortion is murder.  We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well being of the mother are acceptable ( Job 3:16; Psa 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa 44:24; 49:1-5; Jer 1:5; 20:15-18; Luk 1:44).

 

(X) The Grace of Giving
We believe that Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.  We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.   Under Grace we give the tithe and because of our love, appreciation for what God has done and because of our desire to take the Gospel to others who have not, as yet, placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior (2 Cor 8:7; 1 Cor 16:1,2; Heb 7;:2,4; Mat 23:23; Lev 27:30; Mal 3:10; Acts 4:34,35,37).

 

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith.  The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.