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SECTION 1 - STATEMENT OF FAITH
(A) The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the
verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant,
infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith
and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete
and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted
according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. The King James
Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the
church (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; ).
(B) Dispensationalism
We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense
reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man's
responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of
salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs
man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations—the law, the
church, and the kingdom are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture
(Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1: 10; 3:2-10;
Col. 1:2425, 27; Rev. 20:2-6).
(C) The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons-Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit-each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature,
co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections
(Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19: 2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:10, 26).
(D) 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
bom of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful
men (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1: 1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-2 1; Gal. 4:45;
Phil. 2:5-8).
(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 justification is made sure by His
literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1
Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
(3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to 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; Heb.
9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).
(E) 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 of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural
Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ,
indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; Rom.
8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1: 13-14).
(2) We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists 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; 1
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; 1 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. We believe that speaking in
tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of
the Holy Spirit and that 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).
(F) The Depravity of Man
(A) We believe that man is created in the image and likeness of God, and
each person is born into this world in a state of innocence, but by means of
Adam’s sin, sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed
upon all men.
(B) Each person, by his own free will, chooses to become a sinner and
disobey the law of God.
(C) We believe that Jesus lights the light of every man born into this
world, so that all are without excuse for their sin.
(D) We believe that the practice of sin to be the cause of depravity — not
depravity the cause of sin.
(Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19).
(G) Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and
received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood
was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins ~John 1: 12; Eph. 1:7;
2:8- 10; 1 Pet. 1: 18-19).
(H) The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
(1) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power,
through faith, and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40;
10:27-30; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5).
(2) We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the
assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which,
however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the
flesh (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).
(I) Of the Perseverance of Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that
their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes
them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over
their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation. (2 John 9; John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; 1 John 2:19;
John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa.
121:3; 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16;
Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4)
(J) 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. (Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20;
Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16; Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John
2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18; 1 John
5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7)
(K) The Church
(1) We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused
bride of Christ, is a local body of born-again persons with organization and
leadership. (I Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27).
(2) We believe that the establishment of local churches is clearly taught
and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1
Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
(3) We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external
authority or control (Acts 13: 1 4; 15:19-3 1; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor.
3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
(4) We recognize water baptism and the Lord's Supper as the Scriptural
ordinances of obedience for the church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts
2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
(5) We believe in the importance of the local church and that the welfare of
the family depends upon its submission and support of a local church. The
family cannot prosper spiritually and be in obedience to the Word of God if
they refuse to submit themselves to, and be a part of, a local church. God
established the church and it is an important element in our spiritual life,
as well as the vehicle which God has ordained for us to exercise our
spiritual gifts and callings, worship, and learn the Word of God. Family
worship is good and desirable, but it cannot be substituted for public
worship and serving God in a local church assembly. (Heb 10:25; Acts 20:7;
Acts 2:46; Luke 24:53)
(6) We believe that a local church is a body of believers with leadership
and organization. A group of believers or a family does not constitute a
church as described and ordered in the Bible. We do not accept the teaching
of the “universal church.” When the Bible refers to a church it is referring
to a local church. When Jesus comes to call his bride the church will then
consist of all believers. It is obvious that a local church now contains
both lost and saved among its members. (1Cor 11:18; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1; 1 Thes
4:16)
(L) Separation
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring
reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious
apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is
commanded of God ( Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7: 1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1
John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
(M) The Second Advent of Christ
We believe in that "blessed hope," the personal, imminent return of Christ
Who will rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At
the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with
His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to
the nation of I rael (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 1:
10; 1 Thess. 4; 13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3: 10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
(N) The Eternal State
(1) We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal
life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46;
John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).
(2) We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the
body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the
first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified
forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess.
4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).
(3) We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in
conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with
soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment,
and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to
suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark.
9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15).
(O) The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the
Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and,
that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa.
14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:4 1; Rev. 20: 10).
(P) Creation
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We
reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution
as unscriptural theories of origin (Genesis 1-2; Ex. 20:11).
(Q) Civil Government and Order of Authority
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority in order. God is
the head of Christ, Christ is the head of the man, man is the head of the
woman. (1 Cor. 11:3) Christ is also the head of the church. (Eph 5:23) We
also believe that we are to be subject to civil government and laws of the
land, as long as they don’t interfere with our ability to obey God’s laws.
(Rom 13:1-6; Acts 5:29)
(R) Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be
engaged in outside of marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality,
lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and
pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex (Gen. 2:24; Gen.
19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5: 1; 6:9; 1 Thess.
4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).
(S) Marriage
We believe marriage to be the uniting of a man and woman for life; it is the
legal union of a man and woman for life, by which the parties engage to live
together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them.
Any other union is a sinful perversion of God’s plan for mankind; such as a
man and woman living together out of wedlock; or two people of the same sex
living together in a sexual realtionship, regardless of what laws may be
passed by the civil authority to sanction such relationships. We believe
same-sex marriage to be an immoral perversion of God’s design for man and
people living in such a state will not be eligible for membership in this
church under any circumstances. (Gen. 2:24; Lev. 20:13; Matt. 19:5-6; Rom.
7:2; 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Cor. 7:10; 1 Cor. 7:39; Eph. 5:31; Heb. 13:4)
(T) Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of
the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on
the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or
divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly
used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the
offices of pastor or deacon (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:312; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim.
3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).
(U) Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is
a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking
of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that
abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender
selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the
mother are acceptable (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16: Isa. 44:24; 49:1,
5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).
(V) Missions
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the
Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every
nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go
to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20;
Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:2 1; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20).
(W) Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits
against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We
believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal
disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek
compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long
as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph.
4:31-32).
(X) Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's
wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church
financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for
giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings
sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of
those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian
relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the
gift has been made (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9- 10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2
Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17).
SECTION 2 - AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible
itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe,
however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the
teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.
SECTION 3 - COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord
Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been
baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly
and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in
Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge,
holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain
its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred
preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully
and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church,
the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously
educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances,
and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our
dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to
avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from worldly
amusements such as movie attendance, gambling, rock music, and dancing; to
be free from a oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with
unbelievers; to abstain from the sale or use of tobacco in any form,
narcotic drugs, or intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in
our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember
each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to
cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow
to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the
rules of our Savior, to secure reconciliation without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as
possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of
this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
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