What We Believe

 

  • In the verbal and plenary inspiration of the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, which constitute the inerrant Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Isa. 40:8; 1 Pet. 1:24-25a). We do not believe any one version of the Bible is inspired as the original manuscripts were, but use the King James Bible for preaching and teaching. We also do not believe that the preservation of God’s Word is found in any particular Bible version.

 

  • In the Trinity of the Godhead: one God eternally existing in three equal persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Exod. 20:2-3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11; Hebrews 11:6; John 4:24)

 

    • We believe in God the Father, Who sent His Son to be the Savior of the world, and that He hears and answers prayer and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ, His Son. (Hebrews 11:6; John 16:23; 8:18, 29-32)

 

    • In the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and imminent, pre-millennial coming of Christ (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14).

 

    • In the person and personality of the Holy Spirit, by whom believers are called, regenerated, baptized into Christ, indwelt, sealed, and filled for service ( 1 Cor. 12:13; John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26, 27).

 

  • In the direct creation of the universe and man by God, apart from any process of evolution (Gen. 1, 2; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3).

 

  • In the fall, total depravity and guilt of the race in Adam which for man’s salvation necessitates the sovereign, divinely initiated, deliverance of the sinner by the Grace of God in Christ (Gen. 3:1-6; Rom. 3:10-19, 5:12, 19).

 

  • In the eternal salvation of all individuals who put their faith in Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sins. (John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20-33; 2 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13; John 3:8; Rom. 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9, 6:23; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9).

 

  • That salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; that in order to be saved, sinners must be born-again; that this new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus, is the instantaneous work of God by which one dead in trespasses and sins is made partaker of the divine nature, and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the one regenerated is justified by the blood of Christ, his faith being reckoned for righteousness; that all who are truly born-again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. (Jonah 2:9; John 3:3,5,7; 6:37; 10:28; Romans 4:5; 5:9; 6:23; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8,9; II Peter 1:4).

 

  • In the unity of all true believers in the Church which is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:1-6; 4:11; 5:23; Col. 1:18; Acts 15:13-18).

 

  • In the local church as a company of baptized believers, independent and self-governing, observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, edify itself, and evangelize the world. The officers of the New Testament church are pastors and deacons (1 Cor. 11:2; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom.6:3-5; Matt. 3:16; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-28; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42).

 

  • In the obedience to the Biblical command to separate from apostacy and practical holiness unto God. (2 Tim. 3:5; Eph. 5:11), (2 Cor. 6:14; 2 John 9-11).

 

  • In the personal existence of angels, demons, and Satan (Matt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10).

 

  • In the bodily resurrection, immortality and pre-tribulation rapture of all believers at Christ’s imminent coming (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 51-54; Phil. 3:20-21).

 

  • In the bodily resurrection and judgment of unbelievers after the millennial reign of Christ (Rev. 20:11-21).

 

  • In the eternal life and blessedness of all believers and the eternal existence and punishment of all unbelievers (Matt. 3:12; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34-41; John 8:21; Rev. 20:14-15).

 

  • That all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including the unborn babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life (Psalm 139).

 

  • That God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His Church and to provide for the man and woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the only channel of sexual expression according to
    biblical teaching, and the means for procreation of the human race. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 13:24; 22:6, 15; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:14;
    Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7).

 

  • That God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as a male or a female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that any form of sexual immorality is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 5:16; 15:18-20; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Romans 6:23; 10:9-10; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Philippians 2:14-16; I Thessalonians 5:22).

 

  • That every person is given the privilege of worshiping as he sees fit without interference of legal authorities, that Civil Government is ordained of God; that we are to pray for all that are in authority that we may lead an orderly life; that magistrates are to be conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of God; and that the church and state are to be maintained separately and separate. (Exodus 18:21, 22; II Samuel 23:3; Daniel 3:17, 18; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29; 20:27-32; 23:5; Romans 13:1-7; II Timothy 3:15).