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The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be a
supernatural book; that it is the full and final and complete revelation of
God's will to man. That it has God the Holy Spirit for its Author,
salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its
matter; that it was written by holy men of old under the immediate direction
of the Holy Spirit. That it is verbally inspired and is a perfect treasure
of holy instruction; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge
us and is therefore, the true center of the Christian faith and that supreme
standard by which all human creeds and opinion shall be tried, and is
therefore the final authority for faith and practice.
(II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; II Samuel 23:2;
Acts 1:16, 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psalm 119:111; Romans 3:1-2;
II Timothy 3:15; I Peter 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16;
Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17, Revelation 22:18;
Romans 3:4; Romans 2:12; John 12:47-48; I Corinthians 4:3-4;
Luke 10:10-16,12:47-48; Philippians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3-6;
Philippians 2:1-2; I Corinthians 1:10; I Peter 4:11;
I John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20; I Thessalonians 5:21;
II Corinthians 13:5; Acts 17:11; I John 4:6;
Jude 3-5; Ephesians 5:17; Psalms 119:59-60: Philippians 1:9-11)
We believe the Authorized, or King James Version to be the preserved
Word of God; that it is God's word, faithful and true to the original
autographs. The King James Version shall be the official and only
translation used by this church.
The True God
We believe that the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one
living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah,
the Creator 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.
(John 4:24; Psalms 147:5; Psalms 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20;
Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16;
Revelation 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 10;37;
Jeremiah 2:12-13; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Corinthians 12:4-6;
I John 5:7; John 10:30: John 5:17, 14:23, 17:5,10; Acts 5:3-4;
I Corinthians 2:10-11: Philippians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:18;
II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5, 2:7; Isaiah 53:4-5; Hebrews 7:25)
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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.
(Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2,14, 8:8; Romans 1:4;
II Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8)
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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; Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7;
I Peter 1:3-5)
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2)
We believe that the Scriptures teach that God the Holy Spirit convicts
the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come; and that He is
the supernatural agent in regeneration; that He indwells each believer and
seals them until the day of redemption; 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.
This filling of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the life of the believer
being controlled by the Holy Spirit in the daily living out of the precepts
contained in the Scriptures.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that God is sovereign in the bestowal
of spiritual offices and gifts. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and
teachers "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ."
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the sign gifts of the Holy
Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing were temporary
and were used for the conformation of the Word of God. We believe that
speaking in tongues was never a 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.
(John 16:7-9; John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5)
The Fall of Man
We believe that the Scriptures teach that man was created in innocence,
given the opportunity to prove his righteousness under the law of his
Creator; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy 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; and therefore under just condemnation to
eternal punishment, without defense or excuse.
(Genesis 1:27, 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 15:26; Genesis 2:16;
Genesis 3:6-24: Romans 5:12,19; John 3:6; Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:15-19, 8:7;
Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:32, 2:1-16;
Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20; Galatians 3:22)
The Way of Salvation
We believe that the Scriptures teach salvation of sinners is wholly of
grace, through mediatorial work of the Son of God; who according to the will
of the Father assumed our nature yet without sin, honored divine law by His
personal obedience and by His death made full atonement for our sins; that
having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven.
(Ephesians 2:5; John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:6-7; Isaiah 53:4-5; Hebrews 7:25)
We believe that the Scriptures teach regeneration or new birth is that
change brought about in the soul by the Holy Spirit by which a new nature
and spiritual life are imparted and a person becomes a new creation in
Christ Jesus. Evidence is found in a changed disposition of mind and will,
desiring personal holiness and righteousness rather than sin and worldly
deportment.
(John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 2:29)
We believe that the scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act
prompted by the Spirit, and it consists of Godly sorrow for sin and offence
to God and worthy of just condemnation, and that it is accompanied by
genuine contrition of ones sin and guilt and by sincere hatred of sin and
persistent turning away from that which is sinful and ungodly. Since no one
is sinless in this life, repentance must be often repeated.
(Acts 3:19; II Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:7)
Of Faith:
We believe that the Scriptures teach faith is saving grace brought by the
Spirit, and is the medium through which Christ is received by the soul as its
sacrifice and Savior. It is an assent of a mind and a consent of heart,
consisting mainly of belief and trust; testimony of God is believed as true
while Christ is trusted for salvation.
(Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:10; James 2:23)
Personal Holiness
We believe that the Scriptures teach sanctification is a process by
which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness.
That it is a progressive works that began in regeneration that carries on in
the heart of believers before the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
(I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; I Timothy 4:2)
We believe that the Scriptures teach the life of the saved should be
separated. This separation would include all churches and or ministries
whose practices are not consistent with our church's Statement of Faith.
This would also include separation in personal life from all worldly and
sinful pleasures, practices and associations as commanded of God.
(II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I John 2:15-17)
Eternal Security of Believer
We believe that the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerated,
being born-again of the Spirit will not utterly fall away from the faith but
will continue in it and that their preserving attachment to Christ is one
mark that distinguishes them from superficial professors and are kept by the
power of God through faith.
(I John 2:19; Philippians 1:6)
The Church
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the Church is a visible, local
congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant, faith, and
fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by
His laws; exercising the gifts, rites, and privileges invested in Him by His
Word; that its only scriptural offices are bishop, elders or pastors, and
deacons, whose qualification, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles
to Timothy and Titus.
We believe that the Scriptures teach the local New Testament church is
the visible body of Christ and espoused Bride of Christ.
We believe that the Scriptures teach the autonomy of the local church
and that it is free from any fellowship, convention, or any other ties
between churches.
(Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:24, 2:19;
II Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7, 21:2, 22:17; Acts 15:19-21)
Ordinances
Baptism - We believe that the Scriptures teach that scriptural baptism is
the immersion in water of the believer in Christ under the authority of the
local church in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost; to
show forth, in a solemn and beautiful picture, our faith in the crucified,
buried, and risen Savior with its effects, in our death to sin and
resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to church membership.
(Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 2:41-42)
The Lord's Supper - We believe that the Scriptures teach the Lord's Supper
provision of the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine as symbols of Christ's Body
and Blood, partaken of by the members of that local church, in commemoration
of the suffering and death of their Lord; showing forth their faith and
participation in the merits of His sacrifice and their hope of eternal life
through His resurrection from the dead; its observation to be proceeded by
careful self examination.
(I Corinthians 11:24-28; Matthew 26:26)
The Second Advent of Christ
We believe that the Scriptures teach of the blessed hope, the personal,
imminent return of Christ who will rapture those who are born again prior to
the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ
will personally and visibly return, with His saints, to establish His earthly
Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the Nation of Israel.
(Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; I Thessalonians 1:10;
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6)
The Eternal State
We believe that the Scriptures teach the bodily resurrection of all men,
the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting
punishment.
(Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5,6,12,13)
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 spirit, soul and body are
reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.
(Luke 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21;
I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6)
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the souls of unbelievers
remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second
resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the
Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to
be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.
(Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thessalonians 1:7-9;
Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15)
The Personality of Satan
We believe that the Scriptures teach that Satan is a fallen angel, the
author of sin and enticed the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared
enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of
Fire.
(Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10)
Creation
We believe the Scripture teaches that God created the universe in six
literal 24-hour days. We reject the theory of evolution, and all other
theories that contradict the Genesis account of Creation.
(Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11; John 1:3)
The Authority of our Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs; 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 of our members.
Our Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our
Saviour, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 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 knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its
prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines;
to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully
and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor,
and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
"That as we are the light of the world, and salt of the world, we will seek the Lord's help to
enable us to deny ungodliness, and every worldy lusts and to walk circumspectly in the world,
that we may win the souls of man."
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer;
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 Saviour, to secure reconciliation 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.
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