What We Believe

A.  The Scriptures

 

  1. We believe the Holy Bible was written by divinely inspired men as directed by the Holy Spirit.  II Tim. 3:16, II Pet. 1:20 – 21, Ezek. 1:3

  2. That all parts of the writing of the Old and New Testaments are therefore the very word of God and are wholly without error as originally given by God.  Is. 55:11, Jn. 17:17, Mat. 5:18

  3. The purpose was to give mankind a perfect relation of Jesus Christ and of God’s way of salvation and judgment.  Jn. 20:30 – 31, Jn. 5:45 – 47, Jn. 1:1 – 14, Jn. 3:17 – 18.

  4. They are altogether sufficient in themselves as our unchangeable, absolutely perfect rule of faith and Christian creed and conduct.  II Tim. 3:17, Ps. 19:7 – 11, Jn. 10:34 – 35, Heb. 6:18, Ps 119:11.

B.  The One True God

 

We believe there is only one true eternal living God: Infinite in Power, Knowledge, wisdom and holiness, and is everywhere present, unchangeable, worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love, and having in one Godhead three persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection but executing distinct but harmonious offices.  God is eternal, immutable (unchangeable), omnipresent, omnipotent, invisible, holy, unsearchable, incomprehensible, perfect in truth, justice, power, mercy, goodness and is a jealous God.  Jn. 17:3,  I Tim. 1:17, Lk. 1:37,  Ps. 50:11 – 13, Ex. 15:11, Heb. 6:17, Mat. 3:16 – 17, Jn. 1:1, Jn. 5:26 – 27, Jn. 15:26, Jn. 15:26, Ps. 51:6, 73:11, 139:4 – 12, Heb. 4:13.

  1. God the Father. We believe in God the Father, creator of heaven and earth and all their inhabitants; perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and measureless in power.  We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and eternal death, all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.  1 and 2,  Ps. 99:9, Is. 6:3, Rev. 15:4, I Tim. 1:17, Lk. 1:37, Job 42:2, Jn. 14:13, 15:7 and 3:16.
  1. God the Son. We believe in God the son, who is our Lord Jesus as eternal, pre-existent with the Father, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in life, in perfect obedience to the law of God, who atoned for the sins of the world by his death on the cross.  We believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that He ascended into heaven to the right hand of God the Father, where he presently mediates as High Priest for His children.  We believe in His personal, visible pre-millennial return to the world according to his promise to call His saints, both living and dead, to reign evermore with Him in glory, and to raise and judge the wicked.  7:14, Mat. 1:21, Is. 9:6 – 7, I Tim. 3:16, Jn. 1:14, Acts 1:31, I Cor. 15:3 – 8, Heb. 7:24, 5:8 – 9, I Thes. 4:13 – 18, Phil. 3:20 – 21, I Pet. 3:18, II Cor. 5:15, I Pet. 2:21 – 25.
  1. God the Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity (Triune Godhead), who having come forth from God the Father convinces the world of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment; had an equal part in the creation and is now restraining the evil one. The Holy Spirit is the One who bears witness to the truth of the Scriptures; regenerates, seals, sanctifies, comforts, indwells, enlightens, empowers, baptizes, guides and teaches all who become children of God by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  Genesis 1 – 2, Jn. 14:16 – 17, Mat. 28:19 – 29, Jn. 14:26, Acts 1:5 – 8, Rom. 8:14 – 16, Jn. 16:8 – 11, I Cor. 3:16, 6:19, Eph. 1:13, Acts 5:3 – 4, I Cor. 12:13.

C.  The Creation:

 

We believe the Genesis account of the Creation of the physical universe.  Angels and man came about by the direct and immediate creation of God without evolutionary process; that Genesis 1 and 2 are in no sense mythological or allegorical but are the true and inspired historical records of man’s creation by the hands of God, the heavens and the earth likewise.  Gen. 1 – 2, 5:1 – 2, Ps. 148:1 – 5, Deut. 4:32, Is. 45:12, Jn. 1:1 – 3, Col. 1:16, Rev. 10:6

D.  Man

 

We believe that man was created in innocence in the image and likeness of God under the law of His Maker, but by voluntary choice by Adam, the first man, sinned against God; that all men are descendents from the historical Adam and Eve, the first parents of the human race; that through the sin of Adam all members of the human race are guilty of sin, being represented in Adam the father of the human race; that the consequence of that original sin brought upon Adam and all mankind physical death and spiritual death; spiritual death being eternal separation from God; that all men born since Adam possess a sin nature, and upon reaching moral responsibility become sinners in thought, deed and word.  Gen. 1:26-28, 3:1-24, Eph. 2:3, Rom. 3:23, 5:12, Jn. 8:42-44, I Cor. 15:21-22, Rom. 3:9-10,

E.  Salvation

 

We believe that the salvation of man is:

  1. A free gift of God’s grace, revealed to us in Christ, man having no claim or merit for God’s mercy; and that this gift of salvation is offered to all sinners.  Eph. 2:8-9, Col. 1:14, Rom. 5:6, 10:13, Acts 2:21, John 14:6, Rom. 6:23.

  2. Purchased by Christ’s atoning blood shed upon Calvary, whereby He being perfect satisfied the law’s penalty for our sin, taking our place and redeeming us from the bondage under sin.  Jn. 3:16, Phil. 2:6-8, Heb. 2:14-17, I Pet. 2:21-25, Rev. 1:5.

  3. Free to all who will receive it through faith in Jesus Christ, by sincere repentance of sin brought about in the heart by the Holy Spirit, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt and helplessness, we turn to God, pleading for his mercy through the atoning blood of Christ alone as all sufficient Savior.  Mk. 1:15, Acts 2:37-38, Jn. 5:24, 3:17 – 19, Rev. 22:17, Jn. 1:12-13, I Jn. 5:11-13.

  4. Accompanied by the new birth in which a new spirit is born within the believer by the Holy Spirit, making him or her truly a child of God so that now one loves God, hates and resists the Devil and brings forth the fruits of a Christ-like life.  Jn. 3:3-7, II Cor. 5:17, Eph. 4:22-32, 5:8-9, I Jn. 5:1-3, 3:7-10.

  5. The result of God’s sovereign will, according to His eternal purpose and for His own glory, by which He implants saving faith in each one whom He has chosen, yet in a way perfectly consistent with the free agency of the human soul, making use of natural, Godly means; thus excluding human boasting but rather promoting humility, love, prayer, and praise toward Him.  Rom. 9:20-21, Jn. 15:16, Acts 9:15-16,  13:48, Rom. 9:11-18, Eph. 1:4-11, Jn. 6:37-44.

  6. Accompanied by complete justification before God (God declaring sinners righteous), by which the believer is pardoned of all sin, perfectly reconciled to God and is assured of eternal life.  Acts 13:39, Rom. 5:17, Rom. 3:22-28, Titus 3:7-8

F.  Works and Grace

 

We believe that repentance toward God for our sins, confession of our sins, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to save are the only conditions of salvation.  It is entirely through the free grace of God and not by any human good works that we may do, such as tithing, church membership, baptism, doing good works.  Only after receiving Jesus Christ as Lord, are we able to perform the works that God has planned for us to do for Him, and that obedience in doing his work reveals our love for Him.  Jn. 6:28-29, 17:18-20, Eph. 2:8-10, Acts 13:2, Jn. 15:1-8.

G.  Security of the Believer

 

We believe that all who are truly born again are kept eternally by the Power of God through Faith unto salvation and the unbeliever will be eternally punished in Hell.  Phil. 1:6, Jn. 10:28-29, 17:11-12, Rom. 8:35-39, Jude 1, Rev. 20:15, Rev. 21:8.

H.  Justification

 

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures for believers in Him is justification.  Justification includes pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life through the shed blood of Christ on our behalf.  It is bestowed not by any righteous works we have done but by virtue of the Redeemer’s blood by which His perfect righteousness is imputed to us of God.  Justification also brings us into a state of blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needed for eternity.  Is. 53:11, Rom. 3:24, 5:1-17, 8:1.

I.  Regeneration

 

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated (born again).  The rebirth is spiritual and is effected by the Power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel, and that its proper evidence appears in holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.   I Pet. 1:18-25, Col. 3:1-10, Gal. 5:15-25.

We believe that those “born again” possess the two natures and that they may be victorious over the old nature through the power of the new nature. The old nature is not eradicated, however, entirely until our bodies are changed at the Lord’s return.  I Pet. 1:18-25, Col. 3:1-10, Gal. 5:15-25, II Cor. 5:17, Phil. 3:20-22, I Cor. 15:51-52.

J.  Sanctification

 

We believe that sanctification is the work of God by which He implants in us His holiness; that it is begun in regeneration (the moment we are saved) and is carried on in the heart and life of the believer by the presence of the Holy Spirit and by His power, and that through obedience to the Scriptures, prayer and continuous service to our Lord, victory over sin becomes a growing reality in the believer’s life.  Through regular confession of sins and true repentance the believer is able to walk in fellowship with God and other believers, with the end result being to conform to the image of God’s son.  I Thes. 4:3, Phil. 2:12-13, II Thes. 2:13, Rom. 8:28-29.

K.  About the Resurrection

 

We believe in:

  1. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. 28:6-7, Jn. 20:27, I Cor. 15:4, Mk. 16:9-12, Lk. 24:39 – 40.
  1. The ascension of Christ. Acts 1:9-11, Lk. 24:51, Heb. 12:2.
  1. The Priesthood of Christ. 9:11-12, 10:11-12, 7:24-27.
  1. The literal, pre-millennial second coming of Christ for his Church. 14:1-3, I Thes. 4:16-17,   Heb. 10:35-37, I Jn. 3:2.
  1. The translation of living believers. I Cor. 15:51-53, I Thes. 4:13-18, Phil. 3:20-21, Rom. 8:11.
  1. The resurrection of the righteous dead. 20:4, I Thes. 4:16.
  1. The throne of David restored. 9:27, 21:9, Zech. 9:9, Mat 21:9.
  1. The millennial Reign of Christ with the Believers. I Cor. 15:24-25, Is. 32:1, 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-19, Rev. 20:14, 20:6.

L.  The Future Life

 

We believe that there is a distinct difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those who are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all the unsaved who continue in unbelief and disobedience to the gospel are in His sight wicked, and under the sentence of eternal death.  Therefore, only those who have received the Lord Jesus are the children of God and will live eternally with Him in glory.  The wicked will undergo everlasting conscious suffering outside the presence of God.  Rom. 6:23, Gen. 2:17, Rom. 7:6, Jn. 1:12-13, Rom. 8:14-17, Jn. 8:43-44, Mat. 7:21-23, 25:31-46.

M.  The Church

 

We believe that a local Church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and friendship 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.  Its officers are Pastors and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus.  We believe the Church has the absolute right of self-government, free from any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the Head is Jesus Christ.  Each local Church is the sole judge of its measure and method on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, benevolence or any such matters.  The will of the local church is final.  Acts 2:41-42, 6:3, 13:2-3, 20:28, Eph. 5:23, 4:11-13, Col. 1:18, Rev. 2:7.

N.  Ordinances

 

We believe there are two ordinances given by God to the Church.

  1. Baptism; the immersion of the believer in water signifying the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the believers complete identification with him in the same; we believe that this is a prerequisite to the privilege of membership in the local church. Acts 8:36-39, Mat. 28:19, Rom. 6:4-5, Acts 2:41
  1. The Lord’s Supper, a feast of remembrance for believers only. The bread and wine symbolizing the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ; preceded always by the true self examination.  The elements are symbols only and never become the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.  This feast commemorates the death and resurrection of the Lord and anticipates his soon coming again.  2:19-20, Mat. 26:26-29, I Cor. 11:23-29.

O.  Separation of Church and State

 

We believe that civil government is by divine appointment for the good and orderly life of human society, and that government leaders are to be prayed for and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of Jesus Christ.

We believe that civil government has no authority to establish a religion or to interfere with the free exercise of God’s Church.  Neither should the Church seek to control civil government.  Rom. 13:7, Acts 5:29, Mat. 22:21, I Pet. 2:13-15, Titus 3:1.

P.  The Lord’s Day

 

We believe the first day of the week, called Sunday, is the Lord’s Day and is to be hallowed by abstaining from all unnecessary labor, regular observance of Christian worship and activities generally designed to honor God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:7, Heb. 10:24-25, Jn. 20:1-19.

Q.  Satan

 

We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age.  He is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire.  II Cor. 4:4, Rev. 20:10

His Names are:

  1. Satan, adversary of both God and man. I Pet. 5:8.
  1. Devil, the slanderer, accuser of the brethren; slandering of God to man and to God. 3:1-7,    Job 1:9-11, Rev. 12:10.
  1. The wicked one who is cruel and tyrannical over all he can control. 13:19, 38, I Jn. 2:13.
  1. The tempter, his constant purpose is to incite man to sin. 4:3, I Thes. 3:5.
  1. The god of this present world, he has ministers, doctrines, sacrifices and synagogues. He sponsors the religions of natural man and the false cults of this world.  II Cor. 4:4, Rev. 2:9, Rev. 13:4.
  1. The prince of the power of the air, the leader of evil angels, the prince of demons. Eph. 2:2, 6:12, Mt. 12:24, Rev. 16:13, 14.
  1. The prince of this world; this seems to refer to his control over governments of the world, but God has set limitations on him and overrules according to his will. 12:31, 14:30, Mat. 4:8, 9.