This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final authority of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the following Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible. For a more comprehensive understanding of our doctrine and church order, please view our Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 1 – Doctrine of the Scriptures
We believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures. The Scriptures are the inspired Word of God and they are infallible and inerrant in all matters. The Bible was written by holy men of God, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:20-21). We believe the Bible, the collection of sixty six books from Genesis to Revelation, constitutes the complete and only authoritative revelation of God to man (1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Pet. 3:15-16); that it does not only contain and convey the Word of God but is the very Word of God (John 17:17); and that anyone who adds to or takes away from this completed revelation is cursed of God (Rev.22:18-19). God has preserved His Word down through the ages (Psa. 12:6-7, 119:140; Matt.5:18, 24:35; I Pet.1:23) in the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts which underlie the King James Version (the Masoretic text of the Old Testament and the Textus Receptus of the New Testament). We also believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the divinely preserved Word of God for the English speaking people and that it has enjoyed a miraculous manifestation of God’s approval all during its history and use and therefore, it shall be the official and only English translation of the Holy Scriptures used by this church and all of its ministries.
We believe that the Bible is the absolute, authoritative standard of faith and practice, to be studied, proclaimed, obeyed, and defended (Deut. 6:6-9; Josh. 1:8; Psa. 19:7-11; John 17:17; Jude 3-4); that it is to be understood literally, historically, and grammatically (Matt. 12:39-41; II Pet. 1:16) unless the context clearly indicates otherwise (John 6:35,51-58; 10:7; 15:1); and that every portion is without exception profitable for doctrine and Christian growth (II Tim. 3:16).
Section 2 – Doctrine of God
We believe that there is one, and only one, true and living God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6, 45:21-22; Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; I Thes. 1:9), the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Psa. 104; Prov. 21:1; Dan. 4:25,35; Matt. 6:26-30), whose existence is clearly evident from what He has created and innately recognized by the conscience of man (Rom. 1:19-20), who has always been and shall always be (Gen. 21:33; Deut. 33:27; Psa. 90:2,4; II Pet. 3:8;). We believe that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and as such is an immaterial (Luke 24:39), invisible (John 1:18; Rom. 1:20; 1 Tim. 1:17, 6:16), living (Psa. 84:2; Matt. 16:16), and lifegiving (Psa. 36:9; John 5:26; 1 John 1:1-2) Person. We believe that God possesses the absolute attributes of holiness and immutability (Exod. 15:11; Psa. 99:9; 102:27; Isa. 6:3; Mal. 3:6; I Pet. 1:15-16; Jam. 1:17); omniscience (Prov. 15:3; Isa. 46:9-10; Heb. 4:13); omnipotence (Job 42:2; Isa. 40; Matt. 19:26; Eph. 3:20;); and omnipresence (Psa. 139). In relation to His creation God reveals His attributes of trustworthiness (John 17:3; I John 5:20; Rom. 3:4); righteousness (II Chron. 12:6; Ezra 9:15; II Tim. 4:8), love (1 John 4:78), goodness (Psa. 100:5; Psa. 145:9; Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17), mercy (Eph. 2:4; Jam. 5:11; 1 Peter 1:3), and grace (Rom. 5:21; II Cor. 12:9; Tit. 2:11).
Section 3 – Doctrine of the Godhead
We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-equal in every Divine perfection and fulfilling distinct yet harmonious functions within the Godhead (Matt. 28:19; John 10:30, 15:26; Acts 17:29; Rom.1:20; I Cor.12:46; 2 Cor. 13:14; Col.2:9; I John 5:7).
Section 4 – Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal with the Father and the Son, as demonstrated by His attributes (Psa. 139:7; I Cor. 2:10, Heb. 9:14), works (Luke 1:35; John 3:5-6, 16:8; Rom.8:26-27; II Thes. 2:13; Tit. 3:5; II Pet. 1:21), and association within the Trinity (Matt.28:19 II Cor.13:14; Eph. 4:30). We believe that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Person of the Godhead and as such possesses the attributes of personality (Matt. 12:31; Acts 5:3,9, 7:51; I Cor. 2:11; Eph.4:30; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-14). We believe that the Holy Spirit participated in the creation of the universe; that He empowered the writers of Scripture to write the Word of God; that He bears witness to the truth; and that He testifies of Christ and brings honour to Him (Gen.1:2; John 15:26, 16:13-15; II Pet. 1:19-21). We believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent of the new birth (John 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 5:17; Tit. 3:5); that He indwells true believers (John 14:16-17; I Cor. 3:16, 6:19), sealing them unto the day of full redemption (Rom. 8:16; II Cor. 1:22; Eph.1:13, 4:30); that He intercedes for and gives gifts to each believer (Rom. 8:26, 12:6-8); empowering (Acts 4:31; Eph. 5:18), guiding (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16,25), and teaching them (I Cor. 2:12-13). We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and that He restrains the evil one in the world until God’s purpose is fulfilled (Gen.6:3; John 16:7-11; II Thes. 2:6-7).
Section 5 – Doctrine of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the unique, eternal Son of God (John 1:14,18; 3:16, 18; Heb.11:17; I John 4:9), one Person consisting of two natures, human and Divine. We believe that as God the Son, Jesus Christ is completely God, Possessor of Divine attributes and Agent of Divine works, to be worshipped and honoured as God Himself (Gen. 3:15; Psa.68:18, 102:25-27; Isa.6:l, 7:14, 9:6, 40:3, 42:5, 45:12, 21-23; Micah 5:2; Matt. 3:3; John 1:3, 14,18; 3:16-18, 12:41; Eph. 4:7-8; Phil. 2:10-11; Heb. 1:8, 10-12; I John 5:20). We believe that by virtue of His incarnation and virgin birth, Jesus Christ is completely man, yet without sin, able to function as both our mediating Advocate and sustaining Comforter (Isa. 7:14; Matt.1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Rom. 8:34; Phil.2:68; Heb.7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1). We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in miraculous manner, being born of Mary, a virgin, as no other person has ever been born or ever will be born of woman. (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:30-35). We believe that according to the will of the Father, Jesus Christ took upon Himself human nature, laying aside His glory (John 17:3-5); that He lived His earthly life without sin, and voluntarily sacrificed Himself on the cross through the shedding of His blood and His death once and for all on behalf of mankind, bearing the sins of the entire human race in His own body; that in so doing He paid sin’s penalty and appeased the wrath of God; that He rose again bodily from the grave to die no more and is exalted to the right hand of God the Father to reign forever; that only in Him, by virtue of His exalted Person and vicarious work, can man find salvation from sin and death and receive eternal life (Isa. 53; Matt.28; Mark 10:45, 16:1-14; Luke 24; John 5:39, 10:11, 14:6; John 20; Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:8; I Cor. 15:3-8; II Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:8-11; I Pet. 3:18; 1 John 2:2).
Section 6 – Doctrine of Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God and is, therefore, unique among all God’s creation; that in Adam man willfully sinned against God, thus forfeiting his original innocence and alienating the entire race from God; that every man from Adam’s fall onward is a sinner by birth and by choice, utterly incapable apart from God of escaping his sinful condition or its rightful eternal punishment (Gen. 1:26; 2:7; 3:1-19; 9:6; Psa. 51:5; 58:3; Eccl. 7:20; Isa. 64:6; Rom.3:10-23; 5:12, 17-19; I Cor.15:21-22; Jam. 3:9).
Section 7 – Doctrine of Angels
We believe that angels are spirit beings, created by God to serve as His ministers (Job 38:4,7; Psa. 104:4; Heb. 1:14); that although some rebelled against God and thus are forever wicked and doomed, they all were created sinless and pure (Gen. 1:31; Jude 6); that their ministries and ranks differ, but they are not to be worshipped (Rev. 19:10); that their strength, appearance, and travel are beyond human capabilities (II Thes. 1:7; II Pet. 2:11); that they are immortal and do not marry (Matt. 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:36); and that their proper abode is in heaven (Jude 6). We believe that the good angels (those that kept their first estate) are the spirit ministers of God: as such they proclaimed the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-33; 2:13) and His resurrection (Matt. 28:2,6), as well as protecting and strengthening Him (Matt. 2:13; 4:11; 26:53; Luke 22:43); they take interest in Christians’ prayer and witnessing and give aid in danger and death (Luke 15:10, 16:22; Acts 12:7; I Cor. 4:9; I Tim. 5:21; Heb. 1:14); and they also execute God’s will toward and judgment on the nations (Gen.19:13; Dan. 10:21; Matt. 13:39; Acts 12:23; Rev. 8,9,16; 14:6-7).
Section 8 – Doctrine of Satan
We believe in one literal, personal Devil, once a holy angel with God, who, through pride and ambition, led the angelic rebellion against God; that the Devil is the accuser of the brethren, the destroyer of men’s souls, the god of this world who blinds “the minds of them which believe not,” whose network of devils (fallen angels) carry out his battle against God and man; that Satan is the author of all false religions, of apostasy, and the author of the powers of darkness; that just as he cannot exceed the prescribed limits of God on his activity, so he also will be ultimately defeated at the hands of God’s own Son; that he will be bound for the thousand years of the millennium and then will be freed to lead one final rebellion against Christ, after which he will be cast into the lake of fire to burn forever in utter torment (Job 1-2; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek.28:12-17; Matt. 4:1-11, 25:41; Luke 10:18; John 8:44; II Cor. 4:4, 11:14-15; I Thes. 2:18; I Pet. 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Rev. 12:9-10, 20:1-10). We believe that when Satan rebelled against God, a great number of angels followed in his sin; that they are confirmed in unrighteousness, some chained in darkness awaiting their final judgment and others free to aid Satan in his efforts to thwart the purposes of God, inflicting disease and pain, possessing humans and animals, opposing God’s children, promoting immorality, and spreading false doctrine; and that their future doom in the lake of fire is certain (1 Sam. 16:14; Dan. 10:10-14; Matt. 8:29, 9:33, 12:22, 25:41; Mark 5:8-14; Acts 8:7; II Cor. 4:3-4; 12:7; Eph. 6:11-12; I Tim. 4:1-3; I Pet. 5:8; Rev.16:13-16).
Section 9 – Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is a gift of the grace of God; that it is received through repentance (by turning to God from sin) through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work (John 1:12; Acts 20:21; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 9:24-25, 10:19, 12:24; I Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5). We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again by the Spirit of God; that the new birth makes one that is dead in trespasses and sins a partaker of the divine nature and of eternal life, the gift of God; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and newness of life (John 3:1-8, 33; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:19; Eph. 2:1-9; Col. 2:13; Tit. 3:5; Jam. 1:18; I Pet. 1:3). We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares one to be righteous, thereby pardoning his sin and imputing to his account Christ’s righteousness (Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:1, 8-11; II Cor. 5:18-21; Eph. 1:7). We believe in the eternal security of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ; that when a person is born again, they have everlasting life which cannot be taken away from them; that God’s children are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation and sealed unto the day of redemption. (John 5:24; 10:27-28; Eph.4:30; Rom.8:28-39; Phil.1:6; 2 Tim.1:12; I Pet. 1:5).
We believe that God sanctifies us (sets us apart) at the time of our salvation from the penalty of our sin (Rom. 5:8-9; I Cor. 6:11; Eph. 4:24); that sanctification continues as we yield to God and grow in wisdom, knowledge, experience, and grace, therefore having power over sin (II Cor. 3:17-18; II Cor. 6:7; Psa. 119:9,11); and that we will finally be set apart from the very presence of sin at Christ’s coming when we will be transformed in a moment into His likeness, our bodies being made immortal and incorruptible (Rom. 8:30; I Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 1:6, 3:20-21; I John 3:2).
Section 10 – Doctrine of the Church
We totally reject the false doctrine of the universal invisible church. We believe that each local New Testament church is the body of Christ; that it is composed of baptized believers associated together by a covenant of faith and fellowship in the Gospel, that meet together to worship God, to receive instruction, to observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s supper, and to do their part in making sure the Great Commission is carried out; and that each local church is a selfgoverning, independent body having Christ as the head, the Holy Spirit as its guide and the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice (Acts 2:41-42, 4:1-37; I Cor. 11:23-34; 12:12-27; Eph.4:11-16; I Tim. 3:14-15).
Section 11 – Church Ordinances
The New Testament teaches that there are only two ordinances for the church—baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that these ordinances are not sacraments, but are sacred commands, pointing to the Saviour. We believe that baptism is only for born-again believers; that it is to be done only by immersion; that it is to be administered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; that it places a believer into the membership of a New Testament church; that it constitutes the public declaration of one’s faith in Christ; that it symbolizes the Gospel by identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; and that it pictures the believer’s death to sin, the burial of his old nature, and his resurrection unto a new life (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41; Rom. 6:3-10). We believe that the Lord’s Supper, consisting of unleavened bread and drink from the fruit of the vine (unfermented grape juice), symbolizes Christ’s broken body and shed blood sacrificed on our behalf to deliver us from sin and death; that it looks forward to His soon return for us; and that it is open to all baptized believers who are members of New Testament churches of like faith and practice who are in right relationship with God (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-34).
Section 12 – Church Offices
The two Scriptural offices of the New Testament church are that of pastor and deacon. The qualifications of each are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. In the Bible the words, pastor, elder, and bishop describe three different aspects of the pastor’s work. “Pastor” refers to his role as the shepherd of the flock, speaking of his work of teaching and nurturing and protecting the assembly.
“Elder” refers to his maturity and responsibility and the fact that he is to be an example to the flock.
“Bishop” refers to the fact that he is to rule or oversee the church. Deacons are to help meet the needs of the church that do not require the direct involvement of the pastor and that would distract the pastor from his primary pastoral duties (Acts 6:1-6, 20:17; Rom. 12:8; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim.3:1-13, 4:14, 5:17; Tit. 1; Jam. 5:14-16; 1 Pet. 5:3).
Section 13 – Personal and Ecclesiastical Separation
We believe that true believers are called to a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices. A person, once he has truly accepted Christ as Saviour, is a new creature in Christ and should live a holy, consecrated life. He should separate himself from the world and its lust in obedience to the command of God. (Rom. 12:1-2; II Cor.5:17, 6:14-18; II Tim. 2:19; I John 2:15-17). We believe that the church should practice separation from this world’s unrighteous system, repudiation of those that teach false doctrine and that spread discord among the brethren, and corrective disassociation from professing brethren that are flagrantly disobedient; and that those professing Christian groups or individuals that refuse to obey these commands are erring brethren and should be treated as such (Matt. 7:15-20; Acts 20:28-30; Rom.16:17; Gal.1:8-9; Eph. 5:11; I Cor. 5; II Cor. 6:14-18;11:13-15; II Thes. 3:6, 14-15; 1 Tim.1:3-7,20; 6:3-5; II Pet. 2:1-3; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11).
Section 14 – Creation
We believe that approximately 6000 years ago God directly created out of nothing (not a re-creation) the entire universe, including mankind, in six 24-hr days, as literally described in Genesis ch. 1&2; that the Noahic Flood was a literal world-wide flood that covered every mountaintop; that all theories of evolution, secular or religious, not only deny observable natural law, but also deny the truthfulness of the Scriptures and undermine the rightful authority of God over His own creation (Gen. 1:31; Isa. 45:11-12,18; John 1:3; Rom. 5:12; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11). We reject the ‘Gap Theory’ as a false teaching which adds to God’s inspired Word and thus also seeks to take away from His authority. We also reject ‘Theistic Evolution’ which suggests that God was the “first cause” and then He stepped back and allowed evolution to take over.
Section 15 – Doctrine of Last Times
We believe in the imminent (I Thes.5:2-4), pre-tribulation (before the Tribulation - I Thes.5:8-10), premillennial (prior to the 1,000 year reign of Christ - Rev.20:4) return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air, accompanied by the bodily resurrection of deceased church-age believers, followed by the catching away of living believers to meet the Lord in the air (I Cor. 15:51-54; I Thes. 4:13-18; II Thes. 2:1;). Then all church-age believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven for rewards, or the loss of them, for their service to Him (Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:10). We believe in a literal seven-year Tribulation (Rev.6-19), during which God will pour out judgment upon the earth. During this time the man of sin (Antichrist) will reign over the world, aided by the false prophet. He will persecute Israel and those who have accepted Christ during this time. Both he and the false prophet shall be cast alive into the lake of fire after their unsuccessful rebellion at the battle of Armageddon against the Lamb of God, who returns from heaven with His saints to set up His Millennial kingdom, and to resurrect all Old Testament saints (Dan.12:2; Rev.20:4). We believe in a literal thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ upon this earth, during which Satan shall be bound and believers shall serve as administrators of Christ‘s kingdom. Satan will be loosed to mount a final unsuccessful rebellion against Christ and His people at the end of the Millennium, followed by him being cast into the lake of fire, where the man of sin (the Antichrist) and the false prophet are, to be tormented forever (Rev. 20:1-10). Unbelievers of the ages, whose names are not written in the Lamb‘s Book of Life, shall stand before the Great White Throne Judgment to be judged by Christ to be tormented forever in the lake of fire (Rev. 14:9-11, 20:11-15). Following the Millennium, the redeemed of the ages, in glorified bodies, shall dwell with the triune God forever, to serve and to enjoy Him in perfect peace and happiness (Rev. 21-22).
Section 16 – Marriage and the Home
We believe that the home was the first institution God established for man; that marriage is a sacred relationship between one man and one woman for life to the exclusion of all others; and that remarriage is only allowable when the marriage union has been broken by death. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of the marriage of a man and a woman; and that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God’s gift of sex. (Gen. 2:24, 19:5,13; Lev. 18:6-30; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1, 6:9-10; I Thes. 4:18; Heb. 13:4)
Section 17 – Sign Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary; that they were only used during the period of the inspiration of the New Testament, and that they ceased with the completion of the New Testament; that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit; that all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the moment of their personal salvation, and are to be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit continually, in relation to their surrender to His absolute will; 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 prayer of believers for physical healing (Mark 16:17-20; I Cor.1:22, 13:8-10, 14:21-22).
Section 18 – Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth (Exod. 18:21-22; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 22:21; Acts 4:19, 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7).