What We Believe

The Church

a. We believe that the “Church,” which is the body and espoused bride of Christ is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age. Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 1Cor. 12:12-14; 2Cor. 12:12-14; 11:2

b. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local “Churches” is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament scriptures. Acts 14:27; 20:32; 28:17; 1Tim 3:1, 13; Titus 1:5-11

c. We believe that a “Church” is a congregation of baptized 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 ordained Pastors or Elders, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in scriptures. Acts 2:44, 47

d. We hold that the local “Church” has the absolute right of Self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organization. Col. 1:18

e. We believe that the “Church” is the sole and only judge of measure and method of its cooperation on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, and benevolence.

The Holy Bible

a. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is truth without error. 2Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet.1:21; Prov. 30:5

b. We believe that the Bible is the only book needed to have the perfect relationship with God. 2Tim. 3:17

c. We believe that the Holy Bible describes the only true God. He is infinite and an intelligent Spirit. John 4:24

d. We believe that the Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge the world and us. Psalm 75:7; Rom. 14:10; Rev. 20:11-13

The Holy Trinity

a. The scriptures teach that God exists in three eternally distinct persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and these three are one in essence, equal in power and glory. 1 John 5:7; 2Cor. 13:14

b. The Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is eternal, omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (everywhere), omniscient (all knowing), immutable (non-changing), holy, merciful, just and He is love. Gen. 17:1; Ex 20:2-3; Ps. 90:2; 99:9; 145:7; 147:5; John 4:24

c. The Son is the second person of the Trinity. He has always existed, virgin-born, sinless life, died a substitutionary death, was buried and resurrected bodily, ascended into heaven, is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for the believers. Col. 1:17; Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Heb. 4:15; John 10:15, 17-18; 13:37-38; Mark 16:1-4; Luke 24:1-45; John 20:1-29; 1Cor. 15:4, 12-23; Mark 16:19; Luke 24: 51; Acts 1:9-11; Heb. 7:25

d. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He has existed eternally with the Father and the Son; He is the agent in the new birth; He reproves the world of sin, of judgment and righteousness; He indwells the believers; He seals the believer, as well as guides, teaches, witnesses, and baptizes all believers into the body of Christ. Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; Gen. 6:3; John 3:3-6; 6:44; John 16:8; 1Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 4:30; John 16:13; John 14:26; Heb. 10:15; 1Cor. 12:12-14

Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it 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 but their own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him or her in an aggravated condemnation. Matt. 11:28; Isaiah 55:1, 6; John 3:16-18; Rom. 10:9-13; 8:35-39; Rev. 22:17; 1 Tim. 1:15; Eph. 2:8-9

Grace And 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 our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. Eph. 2:1, 8: Rom. 6:23; John 3:3, 6; 1 John 5:1; Luke 5:27; Acts 2:41; 16:30-33; 2Cor. 5:17

Eternal Security

We believe in the eternal security and assurance of believers. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. Eph. 1:13; 4:30; Rom. 8:35-39; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 1; John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:12

Repentance And Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable 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 Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Ps. 51:1-7; Rom. 10:13; 1Thes. 1:9; Isaiah 55:6-7

Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing, which Christ secured to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life in principles of righteousness; 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, by virtue of which faith in His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that justification brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God as secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. Acts 13:39; Rom. 4:5; 5:1-2, 9; Rom. 4:25

Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and the Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially by the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer. 1Thes. 4:3-5; Rom. 8:5; 15:16; Phil. 2:12-13; John 17:17

Baptism And The Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost; with the authority of the local church to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior; symbolic of our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together in the love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. Matt. 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Rom. 6:4-5; 1Cor. 11:23-34

Tithing/Stewardship

We believe that the Bible teaches that every Christian should give at least ten percent of his or her total income to the Lord’s work through the local church. Anything given above ten percent is an offering seeing that is above the tithe. We also believe that the Christian should spend a portion of his or her time in daily prayer, bible study, witnessing, and regular Church Attendance. We believe that the Church is to be financed by tithes and offerings. 1Cor.16:1-2; Mal 3:10; Lev. 27:30; Matt. 23:23; 1Thes. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 1:8; Heb. 10:25