Our Full Doctrinal Statement
1. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, preserved for us today, and that they are the supreme and final authority for all faith and practice. They are to be consistently read and practiced by all believers. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11)
2. We believe in one God, eternally existing, in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in person and attributes, yet differing in function. (II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4)
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and lived on earth, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is truly man, yet truly God. (John 1:1-18; Luke 1:26-35)
4. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to convict of sin, righteousness and judgment, to regenerate the believing sinner and to indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. (John 14:26; 16:8; John 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:18-21)
5. We believe in the literal Genesis account of creation, thus rejecting any other account such as evolution; that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and incurred, not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, are totally depraved, and that they must be born again to be accepted of God. (Genesis 1-3; Romans 5:12; 3:9-23; John 3:1-21; Hebrews 11:3)
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood, and are saved by grace through faith completely apart from human merit and works. (I Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 9:22; Romans 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)
7. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His bodily ascension into Heaven and in His present life there for us, as our High Priest and Advocate. (I Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; I John 2:1-20)
8. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by repentance and faith are drawn by the Father, convicted and born again by the Holy Spirit, making them children of God: indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and secure unto the day of redemption. (John 1:12-13; John 6: 37-44; John 16:7-11; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30)
9. We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is composed solely of believers; is the Body and Bride of our Lord; and is distinct from Israel. Its purpose is to manifest God’s glory through wholehearted worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, stewardship, and loving service, beginning in its community and reaching to the ends of the earth. The completed church will be revealed at the rapture. (Ephesians 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; 1 Peter 2:4-6)
10. We believe that there are two scriptural ordinances for the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism by immersion is undertaken as a public testimony of one having put trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism is performed subsequent to salvation and in obedience to our Lord’s command. Additionally, Baptism portrays the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. We also believe that Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper to commemorate His death until His return. It is both a time of introspection and corporate celebration of Christ’s finished work on the cross through His broken body and shed blood. We believe that neither Baptism nor the Lord’s Supper have any saving merit. (Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 22:14-20; Acts 8:26-40)
11. We believe that every true child of God is given one or more spiritual gifts at the time of salvation. Motivated by love, these spiritual gifts are to be exercised for the common good of the body of Christ. Furthermore we believe special sign gifts, such as speaking in tongues, have continued and are alive and well today.
12. We believe that the local church referred to in Scripture is a congregation of baptized believers, observing the ordinances of Christ, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its scriptural officers are pastors (also called bishops or elders) and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Word of God. (Matthew 18:17; 28:20; I Corinthians 1:1-13; Acts 2:41-42; Titus 1; I Corinthians 11:2; I Timothy 3; Acts 6:3)
13. We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach every believer to live a life of separation unto the Lord and from all worldly and sinful practices; to abide in Christ; to walk in the Spirit; and to enjoy victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:4-7; I John 2:14-17; Colossians 3:1-17)
14. We believe in “That blessed hope,” the personal and imminent return of our Lord in the air for His saints. We believe in the personal, visible and glorious return of Christ to the earth with His saints. We believe that between these events are the seven years of tribulation; followed by the millennial reign of Christ (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Matthew 16:27-28; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 20:4-5)
15. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved with God in heaven and the everlasting punishment of the lost, separated from God in the lake of fire, which is prepared for the Devil and his angels. (John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15; II Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 21:1-8; Matthew 25:41-46)
16. We believe that Satan is a created being, a fallen angel, the prince of demons, the great tempter and liar, the god of this age, and the defeated adversary of Christ and His Church, and that his destiny is eternal punishment in the lake of fire with his demons. (Isaiah 14:12-14; II Corinthians 4:3-4; 11:14; I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9-11; 20:10)
17. We believe that civil government is of divine appointment; and that all who are in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, with the exception of things opposed to the will of our Lord and master Jesus Christ. (Rom. 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; Matthew 23:10)
18. We believe that each church is independent and autonomous, and must be free from any interference by ecclesiastical or political authority; that the church and state have different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from the dictation and patronage of the other. These functions and duties, when scripturally fulfilled, are not in conflict with one another. (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; Colossians 1:16-18)
19. We believe that Israel remains God’s covenant people. Although the Jewish people are partially blinded until completion of the church age, God will fulfill His promises to Abraham concerning His chosen people. (Romans 11:25-32; Isaiah 11:1-12)