What We Believe
1. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired (II Timothy 3: 16 – 17; II Peter 1:19 – 21) that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter (John 17:17) and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried (Psalm. 119:89; Proverbs. 30:5 – 6; I Peter. 1:23; Revelation. 22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah. 8:20; Rom.15:4; Psalm. 19:7 – 11; John 5:29).
(Explanatory)
A. By "THE HOLY BIBLE", we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not contain and convey the word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
B. By "INSPIRATION" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
2. Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth (Exodus 20:2 – 3; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10) inexpressible glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love (Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; I Timothy1:17; Mark 12:30) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Matthw.28:19; John 5:-26; 10:30; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Philippians 2:5 – 6; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14 )
3. Of the Holy Spirit
That the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father (John 14: 16 – 17) and God the Son (Matthew 28:19) and of the same nature (Hebrews 9:14) that He was active in the creation (Genesis 1:13) that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God's purpose is fulfilled (II Thessalonians 2:7) that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness (John 16:8 – 11) that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony (John 15:26 – 27; Acts 5:30 – 32) that He is the agent in the New Birth (John 3:5 – 6) that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer (Ephesians 1:13 – 14; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; 14:26; Romans 8:16; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2; Romans 8:26 – 27; I Corinthians 12:13)
4. Of the Devil, or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell (Isaiah 14:12 – 15; Ezekiel 28:14 – 17) and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now (Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30) the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world (I Thessalonians. 3:5; Matthew 4: 1, 3). we hold him to be man's great tempter (I Pet. 5:8), the enemy of God and His Christ (I John 3:8; Matthew 13:25,37 – 39; Luke 22:3 – 4), the accuser of the saints (Revelation 12:10), the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy (II Corinthians. 11:13 – 15; Mark 13:21 – 22) the Lord of the anti-Christ (I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22), and the author of all the powers of darkness – destined however (Revelation 13:13 – 14; 17 II Thessalonians 2:8 – 11) to final defeat at the hands of God's Son (Revelation 19:19; Revelation 20:10), and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
5. Of the Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16,17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23 – 26; Jeremiah 10: 12; Nehemiah. 9:6) that man was created directly in God's own image and after his own likeness (Genesis 1:26 – 27; I Corinthians 11:7) that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms (Genesis 2:7; Genesis. 2:21 – 13); that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God's established law was they should bring forth only "after their kind." (Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:24).
6. Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker (Genesis 3: 1 - 6), but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state (Romans 5:12; 19) in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice (Romans 3: 10 - 19; Ephesians 2: 1, 3; Romans 1:18); and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Romans 1:32; Romans 1:20; Romans 1:28; Galatians 3:22).
7. Of the Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner (Genesis 3:15); born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman (Isaiah. 7:14; Matthew 1:18 - 25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4); and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son (I John 5:20).
8. Of the Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Ephesians 2:8, Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2: 14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3:25; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21) that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust. Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree (John 10:28; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:24; I Peter 3: 18; Isaiah 53: 11; Hebrews 12:2); that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior (I Corinthians 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Hebrew 9:12 - 15; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:2).
9. Of Grace in the New Creation
We believe that In order to be saved, sinners must be born again (John 3:3); that new birth is a creation in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 5:17); that it is instantaneous and not a process (I John 5:1; John 3:6 - 7; Acts 16:30 - 33); that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God (II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Collusions 2: 13); that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel (John 3:8; John 1:12 - 13); that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9).
10. Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace (I Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29 - 30); that the blessings of salvation are made free to all the gospel (Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith (Isaiah 55:6; Acts 2:38); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (Isaiah 55:7; John 3:15 - 16; Ephesians 2:4 -5; John 5:40); which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (John 3:18; John 3:36).
11. Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness (Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Romans 5:9; 5:1); that is is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us (Titus 3:5 - 7; Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Romans 4:1 - 8).
12. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations (Acts 20:21); and also inseparable graces (Mark 1:15); wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God (Acts 2:27-38); thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy (Luke 18:13; Romans 1O:13; Psalm 51:1 – 4; Isaiah 55:6 – 7) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior (Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9 - 11).
13. Of the Church
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel (Acts 2:41; Acts 2:42); observing the ordinances of Christ (Acts 2:42; 1Corinthians 11:2); governed by His laws (Ephesians 1:22 -23); and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:4); that its officers of ordination are pastors, elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures (Acts 14:25; 6:5 - 6; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1 - 7; 1 Timothy 3:8 - 13); we believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission; First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order (Matthew 28:19 - 20); we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self – government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit (Co1ossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23 - 24; 1 Peter 5:1 - 4); that is is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Acts 15:22; II Corinthians 8:23 - 24; 1 Corinthians 16: 1); on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final (I Corinthians 5: 11-13).
14. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (Acts 8:36 - 39; Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Romans 6:4 - 5; Matthew 3:16); into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19); to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:3 - 5; Colossians 2:12); that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41 - 42; Matthew 28:19 - 20) in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self - examination I Corinthians 11:23 - 28).
15. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (John 8:31-21; Colossians 1:21,23); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (I John 2:19; Matthew 13: 19 - 20); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30; Psalm 121:3; Hebrews 1:14); and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation (I Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28; Romans 8:35-39).
16. Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Malachi 3:18; Romans 6:17 - 28; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 4:18) that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem (Romans 1:17; Acts 10:34-35; 1 John 2:29; 3:7); while all such as continue in impertinence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse (I John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; Romans 7:6) and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting.... felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost (Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matthew 7: 13-14).
17. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society (Romans 13:1; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22); that magistrates are to be prayer for conscientiously honored and obeyed (Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:1314); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-28); who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth (Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23: 10; Philippians 2: 10-11; Psalm 72: 11).
18. Of the Resurrection, Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value.
THE BODILY RESURRECTION
(Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2,4 – 6).
THE ASCENSION
(Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8: 1; 12:2).
THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD
(I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrews 2: 17; 5:9-10).
THE SECOND COMING
(John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4: 16; Matthew 24:27; 42; 25: 13; James 5:8; Hebrews 9:28).
THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD
(1 Thessalonians 4:16; I Corinthians 15:42-44,52).
THE CHANGE OF THE LIVING IN CHRIST
(I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thessalonians 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21).
ON THE THRONE OF DAVID
(Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30).
HIS REIGN ON EARTH
(I Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 32:1; Psalm 72:8; Revelation 20: 1-4,6).