OUR DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

Section 1. The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired; that it is truth without mixture of error; and that it is the standard by which all human conduct and creeds should be tried.  (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Section 2. God

We believe that there is one true and living God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself all perfection, and being infinite in them all; and to him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience that in the Unity of the God-head there are three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  (Gen 1:1; Deut. 6:4-5; John 4:24)

Section 3. The Trinity

We believe that God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.  (Deut. 6:4-5; Matt. 28:18-19; 2 Cor. 13-14)

Section 4. God the Father

We believe in the Fatherhood of God.  God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace.  He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise.  God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus.  He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.  (Matt. 28:19; 1 Tim. 1:17; Dan. 2:19-21; Matt. 5:45; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 6:44; Rom. 8:15)

Section 5. God the Son

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; that He was born of the Virgin Mary, and took on Himself human nature identifying Himself completely with mankind, yet without sin.  He was obedient to God’s divine plan and died on the cross as atonement for the sins of mankind.  He was buried and was bodily resurrected.  He ascended into heaven and was exalted at the right hand of God where He is the Mediator making intercession for man.  We believe in His personal return in power and glory to judge the world and consummate His redemptive mission.

Section 6. God the Holy Spirit

We believe in the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit.  He convicts of sin, righteousness and of judgment; He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration, He bestows spiritual gifts by which believers serve God through His church; He guides and protects the believer unto the day of final redemptive; His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer and the church in worship, evangelism and advice.  (Gen. 1:2; Judges 14:6; Matt. 1:18; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:12; Acts 5:3-4; 1 John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; 6:19-20; Gal.4:6; Rom. 12:4-8)

Section 7. Repentance

Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God.  It is moreover the process by which an individual realizes his sinfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit and humbles himself for it with godly sorrow, turns from it with a purpose and endeavors to walk with God so as to please Him in all things.
 

Section 8. Faith

Saving faith is the belief, on God’s authority, of whatsoever is revealed in Him concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life.  It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.

Section 9. Justification

Justification is that act by which God brings man back into proper relationship with himself.  It is the act of divine forgiveness whereby, because of the sacrifice of Christ, an unworthy man is no longer unworthy and his guilt is no longer reckoned against him.  By accepting that pardon by Faith, the unworthy man is renewed in his heart.

Section 10. Regeneration

Regeneration is the experience of being born again or from above. (John 3:3; Titus 3:5)  It is an instantaneous work of God’s grace wrought by the Holy Spirit that faith in Jesus Christ.  Thus the believer becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:17)  It is a work of God not of man (Eph. 2:8-10).  He is moreover a child of God, a finished relationship which cannot be broken.

Section 11. Sanctification

Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God’s work and Spirit of God in them.  This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in complete obedience to all Christ’s commands.

Section 12. Endurance (Perseverance) of the Saints

Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will not totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts; bring reproach on the church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
 

Section 13. The Church or Ministry

The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all his true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government.  According to his commandment, Christians are to associate themselves with a local church before associations; and to each of these churches he hath given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which he hath appointed.  The regular officers of a Church are:  Pastor and Deacon Ministries.

Section 14. Baptism

Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign for the regeneration of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life.  It is prerequisite to church membership and to participation in the Lord’s Supper.

Section 15. The Lord’s Supper

We believe that the Lord’s Supper was ordained by Christ the night before his crucifixion to help us remember His body and blood which were broken and shed for the remission of sin; and that only people who judge themselves worthy should participate. (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:27-29)

Section 16. The Lord’s Day

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes.  (Exodus 20:8; Matt. 12:1-28; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3; 33-36;  John 4:21-24; 20:1, 19-28;  Acts 20:7;  I Cor. 16:1-2;  Col. 2:16; 3:16;  Rev. 1:10)

Section 17. The Resurrection

The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God - - the righteous to rest with him; the wicked, to be reserved under darkness to the judgment.  At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.
 

Section 18. The Judgment

God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deeds:  the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.