A. Concerning the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible is verbally inspired and was written inerrant in its original languages, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (II Timothy 3:16, 17); that it has God for its author and salvation for its end (II Timothy 3:15), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (Proverbs 30:5, 6); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (Romans 2:12); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the true basis of Christian unity (Philippians 3:16), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (I John 4:1).
B. Concerning the True God:
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent, perfect Spirit and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Supreme Ruler of the Universe (John 4:24), inexpressibly glorious in holiness (Exodus 15:11) and all other perfections, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love (Mark 12:30), that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons: the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19); equal in every Divine perfection (John 10:30), and executing distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Ephesians 2:18).
C. Concerning Creation:
We believe that the physical universe was the result of a creative work of God where He made something “out of nothing” (ex nihilo), and not from an evolutionary process; that the Scriptures teach that the origin of all mankind is the result of God’s work on the sixth day of Creation (Genesis 1:26-28), that the whole of Creation was completed in six consecutive literal (24 hour - solar) days, and that the Great Flood of Genesis 7 and 8 is the reason for the predominance (not totality) of fossils all over the world.
D. Concerning the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created by the special act of God on the sixth day of Creation (Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7). in a state of holiness under the law of his Creator (Genesis 1:27), but through the temptation of Satan, he voluntarily transgressed and fell from this holy state (Genesis 3:6-24) in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, by nature (Romans 5:19) as well as by choice (Isaiah 53:6), and therefore utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (Ephesians 2:13) without defense or excuse (Ezekiel 18:19-20).
E. Concerning the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Ephesians 2:8), through the mediation of the Son of God (John 3:16), who pre-existed (John 8:58), and who, by the appointment of the Father, and who, by the Holy Spirit was conceived, and born of the virgin Mary, freely took upon Him man's nature, yet without sin (Philippians 2:6, 7); honored the divine law by His perfect obedience (Hebrews 5:8, 9), and after a miraculous ministry, by His death made a full atonement for our sins (Isaiah 53:4, 5); that having risen from the dead bodily, He is now enthroned in heaven (Hebrews 1:8), to reign in eternal sovereignty and He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior and Lord (Hebrews 7:25).
F. Concerning Justification:
We believe the gospel, which Christ (John 1:16) secures to such as believe in Him, is justification (Acts 13:39); that justification includes the pardon of sin on the principle of the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9), and the promise of eternal life on the principle of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17); 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 (Romans 4:4, 5); by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (Romans 5:19); 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 (Romans 5:1, 2).
G. Concerning the Freeness of Salvation:
We believe that the offer of salvation is made free to all by the gospel (Isaiah 55:1, 6-7, Romans 10:13); that it is the immediate duty of all to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ by faith (Romans 16:25, 26); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary aggravated condemnation (John 3:19, John 5:40, Matthew 23:37).
H. Concerning Repentance and Faith:
We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable responses to God’s grace, whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (John 16:8-9), we turn from our way to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (Luke 18:13); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and all-sufficient Savior (Romans 10:9-11).
I. Concerning God's Purpose of Grace:
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God according to which He graciously saves sinners (II Timothy 1:8, 9); that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, praise, and trust in God; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (Romans 8:28-31).
J. Concerning Sanctification:
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness (I Thessalonians 4:3); that it is a progressive work (Proverbs 4:18); that it is the fruit of regeneration (I John 2:29); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers throughout their earthly life, by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, in the continual use of the Word of God, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (Philippians 2:12, 13).
K. Concerning the Security of the Believer:
We believe that all genuine believers endure unto the end (John 8:31); that their firm attachment to Christ (I John 2:19), which is demonstrated by their love for one another (John 13:34-35), sets them apart as true believers; that a special providence watches over their welfare (Romans 8:28); that they are kept by the power of God (Philippians 1:6) and sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).
L. Concerning the Resurrection:
We believe the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead bodily, His grave was emptied of its contents (Matthew 28:1-8); that He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection in many convincing manifestations (Matthew 28:6); that He now exists in His glorified body at God's right hand (I Peter 3:22); and that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and a resurrection of the wicked, separated in time (John 5:28); that the bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21).
M. Concerning the Return of the Lord:
We believe that the end of the age is approaching (I Peter 4:7); that the Lord Himself will descend from heaven to take those who are dead in Christ first and then those who are alive and in Christ (I Thessalonians 4:16-18)(John 5:28, 29); this is the first resurrection; they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years; and when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison (Revelation 20:5-7); that a solemn separation will then take place (Matthew 13:49); that the wicked will be judged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (Matthew 25:31-46); and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven and hell, on the principle of imputed righteousness.
N. Concerning a Local Church:
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (I Corinthians 1:1-13), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (Acts 2:41, 42); observing the ordinances of Christ (I Corinthians 11:2); governed by His laws (Matthew 28:20); and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word (Ephesians 4:7); seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:20); that its only Scriptural officers are pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12) (also referred to as elders) and deacons (Philippians 1:1), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
O. Concerning the Independence of the Local Church:
We believe that the local visible church of Christ is a voluntary and independent autonomous group of baptized believers (Matthew 18:15-18); that it is a pure democracy, which organically can join nothing (Romans 12:16); and that it has the power and right within itself to confess its own faith in accordance with the New Testament (I Timothy 3:15); and that each congregation recognizes its own democratic self-containing government as its highest authority for carrying out the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.
P. Concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper:
We believe that Christian baptism is immersion of a believer in water (Acts 8:36-39) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19); 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 a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relationship (Acts 2:41-42); and the Lord's Supper is to commemorate together the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ by the symbolic use of bread and fruit of the vine (I Corinthians 11:26) preceded always by solemn self-examination (I Corinthians 11:28).
Q. Concerning Worldliness and Apostasy:
We believe in total and complete separation as taught in the Word of God from all forms of heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy. We believe that Scripture teaches that we are to: 1. Try them (I John 4:1); 2. Mark them (Romans 16:17); 3. Rebuke them (Titus 1:13); 4. Have no fellowship (Ephesians 5:11); 5. Withdraw thyself (II Thessalonians 3:6) 6. Receive them not (II John 10:11); 7. Have no company with them (II Thessalonians 3:14); 8. Reject them (Titus 3:10); 9. Separate yourself (II Corinthians 6:17). We believe in the separation of believers unto Christ and from the world so as to maintain good works and to have no fellowship with the evil works of darkness; that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon our Savior. We therefore urge all believers to abstain from every questionable thing, keeping themselves from every appearance of evil in dress, conversation, amusement, and business, according to the teachings of God’s Word.
R. Concerning Human Sexuality:
We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside the bounds of marriage, which God defines as the union of a man and a woman. We believe that any form of fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex (Gen. 2:24).
S. Concerning Worship:
We believe that one of the intended purposes of the church is to worship the Lord with our voices. "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." (Psalm 95:1) We believe that all worship should display humility (1 Peter 5:5) and sincerity (Philippians 1:10), while giving Him praise (Psalm 7:17) and demonstrating love with all our soul, mind, and body (Mark 12:30). We believe that many of the musical styles of the modern-day church reflect the disposition of our former life and its desires; and that incorporating worldly methods into worship sends a mixed message to the lost, even if motivated by a desire to reach out to them. Therefore, in our worship services, we strive for a heartfelt, passionate, and joyful sound that also conveys a humble spirit before God; and we purpose to avoid musical styles that are primarily designed to indulge the flesh. We enjoy singing the doctrinally-rich hymns of the faith.
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