Statement of Faith

Scriptures: The Bible is the Word of God, supernaturally inspired by God and penned by holy men of God. The Bible is God’s written revelation to mankind for guidance, direction and communion with God.  We have God’s inspired and preserved Word for the English speaking people in the Authorized King James Version.  It is without error and perfectly kept by God.  The Bible is my sole authority for faith and practice. (Psalm 68:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 1 Thessalonians. 2:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Samuel 23:2, Jeremiah 1:9, 2 Samuel 22:31, 1 Kings 8:20, 17:24, Proverbs 30:5, Matthew 5:17-18, 22:23-33, John 17:17, Psalm 12:6-7, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5:18, 24:35, Luke 16:17, 1 Peter 1:23)

 

God:  We believe the Bible to teach of one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory. Some of God’s attributes consist of being; Holy, Perfect, Omnipotent, Omniscience, Omnipresent, Loving, Infinite, Just and Righteous.  (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14, Jeremiah 23:24, 1 John 4:8, Matthew 5:48, 1 John 2:29).

 

The Lord Jesus Christ:  We believe the Bible to teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who laid aside His glory and became man, without ceasing to be God, being born of the virgin Mary, that He might redeem the sins of all mankind.  He was of sinless perfection and was the only acceptable sacrifice for all the sins of this world.  He is not a created being, but has always been.  He is the one that spoke into existence the world and all of creation.  After His work here on earth and on the cross the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where He is our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate.  (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; 7:14; Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 4:4-5, Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5, Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2)

 

Holy Spirit:  We believe the Bible to teach that the Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.  He quickens the spiritually dead, baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, indwells and seals them for eternity.  He empowers the Church and believers to do the work of the Lord. The Holy Spirit also convicts and works in the growth and sanctification of men.    (Ephesians 2:1, John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14).

 

Man: We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God. Because of Adam’s sin man fell, inherited a sinful nature, and is at enmity with God.  Man is born servant to sin and is of his father the Devil.   Without the working of God man is helpless and without hope.   (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).

 

Salvation:  We believe that the clear message of salvation is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by grace alone. Man is justified by faith in and through Christ’s perfect work of redemption. Salvation is free and is available to all who would believe and call upon Him.  God is longsuffering and desires that all would come to repentance.   Once saved a believer is kept by the power of God through the sealing of the Holy Spirit.   (Acts 20:21, Romans 10: 9-13, Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; I Peter 1:18-19, John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:4-5; Jude 1, 2).

 

The Church:  We believe the Church is a called out assembly of baptized believers working together to fulfill the commands of Christ. It is both local and visible.  The Church began with the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.  The Church was established through the calling of the 12 disciples and was empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  The Church is the body of Christ and he is the Head.  Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and therefore the Church is autonomous from external authority and control.  (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:20,  5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2, Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11, Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9, 16, 5:4-7, 13; I Peter 5:1-4).

 

Ordinances: We believe the Bible to teach two Church ordinances. Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is not necessary for salvation but is done out of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is through baptism that we identify with our Lord Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection.   The Lord’s Supper was given by Christ to the first Church, the twelve disciples. We celebrate communion with our own local body of believers because that is what Christ did. He separated the twelve to partake of the first communion.  We take communion for the purpose of remembrance of what Christ did, not for salvation.  The bread and juice are a picture of Christ’s body and blood, they do not transfigure into Christ’s body and blood. (Matthew. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; I Corinthians 11:23-26).

 

Biblical Separation:  We believe the Bible to teach that once the old man has been crucified with Christ that believers should live a sanctified and separated life. Separation consist of two parts; separation from sin and the world and dedication to God.  We are to love people but not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  As believers we need to guard ourselves against the things of this world.  The Bible states that our standard is holiness. (II Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 12:1, 2, 14:13; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 1 Peter 1:16).

 

The Return of Christ:  We believe in the Blessed Hope of our Lord’s return. It is literal, personal, visible, imminent, premillennial, and pretribulational. The Lord will rapture believers prior to the seven years of tribulation.  At the end of the tribulation Christ will return with His saints to establish His thousand-year reign on the earth. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6; Psalm 89:3-4)