What We Believe
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, preserved, and authoritative Word of God. By “the Bible” we mean the sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which was written and providentially preserved in the Authorized King James Bible. The Bible does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God; being free from error, as no other writings have ever been.
(II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 12:6-7; Psalm 119:89; Revelation 22:18-19)
God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, Creator and Ruler of heaven and earth, eternal, perfect, holy, worthy of worship, that in unity of the Godhead there are three in one- Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost or Spirit, equal in every Divine attribute and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; I John 5:7; Matthew 28:19)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is both the Son of God and God in the flesh. The Lord Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost, in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, and is both completely man and completely God. He was subject to temptation yet was without any sin. Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death on the cross as a sacrifice for sin; and secured our redemption by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, where as our High Priest He is our Intercessor and Advocate.
(John 1:1-4, 14; Luke 1:31-35; II Corinthians 5:19-21; Romans 3:24-25; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 9:24)
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a Divine person, equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ; that He was active in creation; that He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in our preaching and testimony; that He is the agent of the New Birth; that He seals, fills, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. We believe the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit were temporary and therefore were never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:2; John 14:16-17; John 16:7-13; John 3:5-6; Romans 8:14-16; I Corinthians 1:22; I Corinthians 14:22)
The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created innocent in the image and likeness of God, but by voluntary transgression he fell from his sinless and happy state, as a result all mankind are sinners by nature and conduct, and therefore are under just condemnation and unable to remedy his lost condition. (Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God that is offered to all men and that nothing prevents the salvation of any sinner except his own fallen nature and willful rejection of the Gospel. We believe in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that this New Birth is a miraculous transaction whereby the sinner becomes a new creature in Christ; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that the New Birth is brought about by the conviction of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth; therefore, any sinner who repents and places his faith in Christ’s redemptive work receives forgiveness of sin and eternal life. We believe that this salvation is thereafter permanent and eternal to the believer.
(John 3:3-5; II Corinthians 7:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:30; John 10:27-28)
Baptism
We believe that Christian baptism is the complete immersion of a believer in water, under the authority of the local church, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; pictures our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; is the obedient submission of the child of God; is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership; and does not constitute any part in salvation or redemption.
(Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16-17; Colossians 2:12)
The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the members of the church are to commemorate the Lord’s death until He comes, by the use of unleavened bread and grape juice, which are representative of Christ’s body and blood. This should always be preceded by solemn self-examination and confession. This ordinance does not constitute any part in salvation or redemption. (I Corinthians 11:23-34)
The Church
We believe that a church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and the 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 officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the furtherance of the Gospel to all men everywhere, and the edifying of the saints; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and the furtherance of the Gospel. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations.
(Acts 2:41; I Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 5:42; Ephesians 4:11-12)
Satan, the Devil
We believe that Satan was created holy, as a cherub called Lucifer; because of pride rebelled against God and fell taking a host of angels with him; he is now the god of this world; the enemy of God; man’s great tempter; the accuser of the saints; and the author of all false religions. However, he is destined to final defeat by the Lord Jesus Christ at His second coming and to the eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; I Peter 5:8; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 20:10)
Separation
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded of God.
(Romans 12:2; Romans 8:29; II Corinthians 6:14-17; I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Peter 1:16)
Return of Christ
We believe in the personal visible second coming of Jesus Christ with His saints to this earth at the conclusion of the seven year period that relates to Daniel's 70th week of prophecy to destroy the antichrist and His enemies at Armageddon. This is followed by a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ as King from the throne of David in Jerusalem. Preceding His second coming and the seven year period will be Jesus Christ’s return for believers referred to as the Rapture or Catching Away. The “dead in Christ shall rise first;” then all the living saints “shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” they are “caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”
(Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-21; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 24:23; I Corinthians 15:51-57; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 4:1)
Final Judgments and Resurrections
We believe in the judgment seat of Christ, in Heaven, where the believer’s works and motives for service will be tested by fire, with the promise of literal rewards. We believe in the great white throne judgment of the unbelievers, where they will be sentenced to an eternity in the Lake of Fire; to take place after the 1,000 year reign of Christ when the dead shall be resurrected to face their final judgment. (Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 3:9-15; Revelation 20:11-15)
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience and coming King of Kings. (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-16; Acts 5:29)
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith.
The Bible itself is the sole, authoritative, and final source of all that we believe and practice.