DOCTRINAL STATEMENT - Article of Faith

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings. They are the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority of all Christian faith, life, and doctrine  (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-20; John 6:63).
 

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; 2 Cor. 13:14; Matt. 28:19-20).
 

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit 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 right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate (John 1:1,14; 8:58; I Cor. 15:3-4; I John 2:1; Heb. 4:14; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; Matt 28:5-6; 1 John 2:1).
 

We believe in the existence of the personality of Satan. He is the unholy ruler of this age, prince of the power of the air, author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire.                                                        (Matt. 4:1-3; Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10).

 

We believe 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 14:17, 26; 16:7-8, 13-14; Titus 3:5; Eph. 1:13).
 

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is, therefore lost, and only through faith in Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and Spiritual life be obtained (Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 3:6; Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23).
 

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe. Only those that receive Jesus Christ as Savior are born of the Holy Spirit, and become children of God (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Col. 1:20; I Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Romans 4:25; John 14:6; Eph. 2:8-9; John 3:3)

 

We believe 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 (Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; I Cor. 11:23-33).We believe that New Testament baptism by immersion is a symbol of our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Lord, and of our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism by   immersion is a prerequisite for membership.

(Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:36-39).
 

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death and should be observed until He comes again. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is for believers only and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Cor. 11:23-33).We believe 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. (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:20-23; Col. 1:18).

We believe that only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church.
 

We believe in the personal 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           (Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:16-18; Titus 2:13; Matt. 24:44).
 

We believe 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 (Rev. 20:6; Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29).
 

We believe that God’s design is that a man and woman would either be joined by marriage in a perpetual monogamous relationship or live in a single state (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31). Premarital sex, adultery, and homosexuality are inconsistent with Biblical teaching (Heb. 13:4; Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:18-32; I Cor. 6:9-10; I Tim. 1:8-11).The purpose of the church is to glorify God. It seeks to accomplish this through the public worship of God, the preaching of the Word of God, consistent Christian living by its members, personal evangelism, acts of compassionate service, missionary endeavor and Christian Education (Eph. 1:5-14; Col. 1:9-10;                Matt 5:16; 1 Peter 2:9-12; Matt 22:37-40; Matt 28:19-20).