what we believe

The Scriptures:

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by Holy men controlled by the Holy Spirit; that it is truth without any admixture of error of its matter; and therefore is , and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to men; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 17:17; Romans 15:4-6. 

 

The True God:

We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker 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 Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 15:11, 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6, 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18, 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6.  

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The Holy Spirit: 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is divine in person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the Creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony, that He baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. And that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations. John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14, 17-21; Romans 8:26-27.   

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Sanctification:

We believe that sanctification has a two-fold meaning; (a) that of setting apart of things, days, or persons specifically for God, and that the believer at the time of regeneration is so set apart by God the Father; (b) the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the word of God experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory over the flesh which work will be completed when the believer stands in Christ’s presence. 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 6:3-4; Hebrews 10:10,14; Colossians 1:26-28, 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18.  

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The Devil or Satan:

We believe that Satan was once perfect 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 ungodly 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 the false religions, the chief powerback of the present apostasy; the Lord of the Antichrist. And the author of all powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hand’s of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire, a place prepared for him and his angels. Isaiah 14:12-15; Ez 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9-10, 19:11, 16, 20; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30, 1 Peter 5:8, John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 John 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11; Revelation 20:1-3, 10.

 

The Creation:

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, 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 made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7, 21-13.

 

The Fall of Man:

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but by choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without defense of excuse. Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 5:12, 19; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 1:1, 3; Romans 1:18, 20, 32.

 

The Virgin Birth:

We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is therefore fully God and fully man each in equal perfection. John 1:12; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 10:5.

 

The Atonement for sin:

We believe that atonement for 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 human likeness, yet without sin, honored the divine layby His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself tn the sinners’ place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own boston the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and united in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be an all-sufficient savior. Ephesians 2:8, Acts 15:11; John 3:16; Phil 2:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:2  

 

Salvation:

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, perfectly Holy, was our all-sufficient savior, crucified, buried, raised from the dead on the third day and after 40 days ascended to heaven where He now sits at the Fathers right hand. We believe that the Gospel of His salvation is to be shared with mankind so they may believe on the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. By the act of repentance, he becomes a child of God and is justified solely through faith in the redeeming blood. 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 10:10-17; John 1:12, 13; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 8:1.     

 

The Church:

We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is a congregation of immersed believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship with the gospel. They observe the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word. We believe the designated officers are pastors (elders) and deacons who qualify according to gospel directives. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission to make disciples, baptize them, teach and instruct them in the faith. We believe that the local church is to be made self-governing and that the one and only superintendent is Christ. Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2,  

 

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the believer's immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit symbolizing outwardly what has already taken place by His Spirit baptism wherein He was Co-crucified, buried and risen to newness of life. We believe that baptism preceded the privilege of local church membership. The Lord’s supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus. We also believe this ordnance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination. Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6; John 2:23; Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Romans 8:23    

 

The Resurrection, return of Christ, and related events:

We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, His ascension to the Fathers right hand, His second coming consisting of the rapture of the righteous dead and the living in Christ and following the tribulation He will return for His reign on earth. Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 8:1; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:42-51; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 32:1; Psalm 72:8; Revelation 20:1-4, 6.