Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE

1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

(2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Colossians 3:16)

2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(Genesis 1:1, John 4:24; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 19:26; 1 John 3:20; Matthew 28:19; John 17:3; Revelation 4:11.)

3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate.

(Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:8; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 8:1, John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8; Matthew 1:18; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:24)

4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.

(John 14:26; John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:7-14; Titus 3: 5; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 6:13; Romans 8:12; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter1:14-16)

5. That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-6; Isaiah 53:6; John 3:3; Romans 3:22-23; Romans 5:12-15; Titus 3:3-7)

6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.

(Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12-13; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 John 3:5-9; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:20; Romans 6:5-6; Titus 3:5-7; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30)

7. That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation.

(Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38,41-42; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:31-33; Acts 18:8; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

8. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head.

(Acts 2:47; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:22-23; John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27; Colossians 1:18)

9. That only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church.

(Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 4:15-16; Romans 14:1)

10. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.

(Acts 13:1-3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18)

11. In the personal and premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.

(John 14:3; Matthew 24:36; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2,3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians; 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10; Titus 2:13-14)

12. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.

(1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 20:6; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John; 5:28-29; Job 1:6-7; Matthew 4:2-11; Matthew 25:41; Isaiah 14:12-17; Revelation 20:10-15)