What We Believe

Learn more about our doctrinal position

Section 1 - OF THE SCRIPTURES:

We believe the Holy Bible, of the Old and New Testament, to be the verbally and plenarily inspired, and preserved Word of God.

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. II Tim. 3:16-17, II Peter 1: 19-21

3. By “Preserved” we mean that God has kept vigilance over His Word, and has preserved from the first generation to now, and will preserve it forever. Psalm 12: 6-7, Matt. 24:35

We further believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man.

The King James Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church, for preaching, for Sunday School, for Life, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the Pastor.

Section 2 – OF THE TRUE GOD:

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All are co-existing and co-equal in power and have the same divine attributes, and perfections. Genesis 1:1, Deut. 6:4, Matt. 28:19, John 14:10,26, II Cor. 13:14, I John 5:7

A. 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 complete the work of Redemption for sinful men. ( Isa. 7:14, Luke 1:35, John 1:1-2, II Cor. 5:19-21, Gal. 4:4-5)

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 justificationis made sure be His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. ( Acts 2:18-36, Rom. 3:2-25, Eph. 1:7, I Peter 1: 3-5, I Peter 2: 24)

3. We believe in the literal ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into 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, Rom. 8:34, Heb. 9:24, I John 2:1-2)

B. 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 the of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers in the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. ( John 16: 8-11, Rom. 8:9, I Cor. 12:12-14, II Cor. 3:6, Eph. 1:13-14 )

2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher who enables 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, I 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, I 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. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the Baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. 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. (I Cor. 1:22, 13:8, 14:21-22)

Section 3 – 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 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 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 Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s 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, John 14:30, I Thess. 3:5, Matt. 13:25,39, I Peter 5:8, II Peter 2:4, Eph. 2:2)

Section 4 – OF THE CREATION:

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically
or figuratively; 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 made directly, and God’s established law was they should bring forth only “after their kind.”

We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24 hour periods. We reject evolution, Theistic evolution and any other Theory that would deny Creation as stated in the Word of God.( Gen. 1:1, Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:21-23, Gen. 1:24 Ex. 20:11, Acts 4:24, Col. 1:16-17, Heb. 11:3, John 1:3, Rev. 10: 6)

Section 5 – OF MAN AND THE FALL OF MAN, AND SALVATION:

1. We believe that man was created in innocence, and that he walked in fellowship with God, until by voluntary transgression he fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse, that man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 3:6, 24, Rom. 5:19, Rom. 3: 10-19, Eph. 2:1-3, Rom. 1:18, Rom. 1:32, Rom. 3:22-23, Rom. 5:12, Rom. 6:23)

2. We believe that Salvation is the free gift of God afforded to man by the grace of God, and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. ( Matt. 12:31-32, John 1:12, Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10, I Peter 1:18-19)

Section 6 – OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH:

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son. (Gen. 3:15, Isa. 7:14, Matt. 1:18-25, Luke 1: 35,
John 1:4)

Section 7 – OF 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 the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him 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 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, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour. (Eph. 2:8, Acts 15:11, Rom. 3:24, Rom. 3:25, John 3:16, Matt. 18:11, Phil. 2:7, Hebrews 2:14, Isa. 52: 4-7, I John 4:10, I Cor. 15:3, II Cor. 5:21)

Section 8 – OF 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 in 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 Divine truth, so as to secure or voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John 3:3, II Cor. 5:17, I John 5:1, John 3:6,7, Acts 16:30-33, Rom. 6:23, II Peter 1:4, Eph. 2:1, II Cor. 5:19, Col. 2:13, John 3:8)

Section 9 – OF 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 is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth by his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (I Thess. 1:4, Col. 3:12, I Pet. 1:2, Titus 1:1, Rom. 8:29-30, Matt. 11: 28, Isa. 55: 1, Rev. 22:17, Rom. 10:13, John 6: 37, Isa. 55:6, Acts 2: 38, Isa. 55:7, John 3:15-16, I Tim. 1: 15, John 5: 40, John 3: 18, John 3: 36)

Section 10 – OF JUSTIFICATION:

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification;

(a) that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness.

(b) 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 unto us. ( Acts 13:39, Rom 2:37-38, Rom. 10:13, Rom. 8:1, Rom. 5:8, Rom. 5:1, Titus 3: 5-7, Isa. 53:11)

Section 11 – OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH:

We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseperable graces, wrought in our souls 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 Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour. ( Acts 20:21, Acts 2: 37-38, Rom. 10:13, Mark 1:15, Luke 18:13, Psa. 51:1-4, Psa. 51:7, Luke 12:8, Rom. 10:9-11, Isa. 55: 6-7)

Section 12 – OF THE CHURCH:

We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers; associated by a covenant of 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 officers are pastors and deacons with qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership; of polity, of government, and discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Acts 2: 41-42, I Cor. 11:2, Eph. 1:22-23, Eph. 4:11, Acts 20:17-28, I Tim. 3:17, Col. 1:18, Eph. 5: 23-24, Acts 15: 13-18)

Section 13 – OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER:

1. We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, 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 relation. (Acts 8: 26-39, Acts 3:23, Rom. 6:3-5, Matt. 3:16, Col. 2:12)

2. We Believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by a solemn self examination. (I Cor. 11: 23-28,)

Section 14 – OF THE SECURITY OF THE SAINTS:

We Believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. ( Phil. 1:6, John 10: 28-29, Rom. 8: 35-39, Jude 1, I Peter 1:5)

Section 15 – OF 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; 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 of the lost. (Mal. 3:18, Gen. 18:23, Rom. 6: 17-18, I John 5:19, Rom. 7:6, Rom. 6:23, Prov. 14:32, Luke 16:25, Matt. 25: 34-41, John 8:21)

Section 16 – OF MARRIAGE AND THE HOME:

A. We believe that the home was the first institution that God provided for man, and that marriage is a sacred relationship and honorable for all. Marriage is used as an emblem of the union of Christ and His church. ( Gen. 2:8-24, Heb. 13:4, I Cor. 7:2, Eph. 5:21-23)

B. We believe that the marriage relationship is reserved for one man and one woman, and that any deviation from the Biblical marriage union is perversion and sin. (Eph. 5:22-31, Gen. 2:24, Rom. 7:2, I Cor. 7:10

Section 17 – OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT:

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except in the 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, II Sam. 23:3, Ex. 18: 21-22, Acts 23: 5, Matt. 22:21, Acts 5:29, Acts. 4:19-20, Dan. 3:17-18)

Section 18 – OF THE RESURRECTION, PERSONAL, VISIBLE, PRE-MILLENNIAL RETURN OF CHRIST, AND RELATED EVENTS:

1. We believe in the bodily resurrection. ( Matt. 28: 6-7, Luke 24:39, John 20:27, I Cor. 15:4, Mark 16:6, Luke 24: 2-6)

2. The Ascension. ( Acts 1:9-11, Luke 24:51, Mark 16:19, Rev. 3:21, Heb. 12:2)

3. The High Priesthood. ( Heb. 8:6, I Tim. 2:5, I John 2:1, Heb. 2:17, Heb. 5: 9-10)

4. The Return of Christ. We believe in the imminent, bodily, personal pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ; that He will come before the seven year tribulation period to catch away His church, coming only in the air; and that He will come with His church at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and to set up His Kingdom on earth. ( I Thess. 4:13, 18, Matt. 25: 13, 46, Rev. 19: 11-21, John 14:3, Acts 1:11, James 5:8, Heb. 9:28)

5. The resurrection of the Righteous Dead and Unbelievers. We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead; that believers asleep in Jesus, will be raised at the coming of Christ for His church and will be caught up with transformed living saints, to meet the Lord in the air, and that the wicked dead will be raised at the close of the millennial kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne of Judgment to receive their final doom. ( I Cor. 15: 51-55, Phil. 3:20-21, I Thess. 4:13-18, I Cor. 15: 42-44, 52, John 5:21-30, I Thess. 4:1-16, Rev. 7: 9-17, Rev. 20: 11-15)

6. The Millennial Reign. ( I Cor. 15: 25, Isa. 32:1, Isa. 11: 4-5, Psa. 72:8, Rev. 20:14, Rev. 20:6)