WE BELIEVE IN

We believe that as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our supreme desire should be to know Christ, be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit, and glorify Him with our whole beings. From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our church as guided by Scripture. Our Statement of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity

in Christ, and guards the church from error.

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I. SCRIPTURE

We believe that the Bible is God’s Word to humanity and that it is trustworthy and without error in the original manuscripts, which in the providence of God can be ascertained from available manuscripts with great accuracy. The Word of God is the infallible rule of faith and practice and is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis for which this church is governed. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is himself the focus of divine revelation. Therefore, we seek to hear, read, pay attention to, believe, receive, and obey God’s Word to us. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.

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Psalm 19:7-10, Proverbs 30:5-6,  Matthew 5:17-20, Luke 21:33, Luke 22:44-47, John 5:39, John 17:17, Acts 5:27-29, II Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 4:12, I Peter 1:23-25, II Peter 1:20-21

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II. GOD

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, the infinite, all-knowing Spirit, whose name is the LORD (Yahweh). God is the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all honor, confidence, and love. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are equal in every divine perfection, executing distinct but harmonious offices

in the great work of redemption.

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Genesis 1:1, Exodus 3:13-15, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Psalms 90:2, Psalms 102:27, Psalms 147:5, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 57:15, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, John 15:26, II Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 3:4, Hebrews 9:14, I Peter 1:1-2, I Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 4:6-11

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A. GOD THE FATHER

We believe in the person of God the Father who reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.

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Deuteronomy 32:6, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 23:9, John 4:23-24, John 14:6-13, John 17:1-8, Acts 17:26-29, I Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 4:6, I Timothy 1:17, Hebrews 12:9, I Peter 1:17-19

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B. GOD THE SON

We believe Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is truly God and truly man, he is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon himself human nature, yet without sin, he perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered, and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, rose again the third day, and ascended to his Father, at whose right hand he ever lives to make intercession for his people. He will return again visibly and bodily to judge the world and to consummate his redemptive mission. He is the only Mediator; the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church; and Sovereign of the Universe. He now dwells in his church as the living and ever-present Lord.

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Psalms 2:7, Psalms 110, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Daniel 7:13-14, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 5:17-20, Matthew 16:13-17, Mark 16:19, Luke 1:26-38, John 1:1- 14; John 8:58, John 14:20-23, John 17:20-23, Acts 1:9-11, Romans 1:3-4, Romans 3:23- 26, Romans 8:33-34, I Corinthians 15:3-4, II Corinthians 5:18-21, Galatians 4:4-5, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:13-22, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 1:1-13, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:24-28

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C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every

believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of the biblical gifts of the Spirit.

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Genesis 1:2, Psalms 139:7, Luke 12:8-12, John 14:16-17, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-21, Acts 2:37-39, Acts 5:3-4, Acts 13:2, Romans 8:1-27, Romans 15:13, Romans 15:16, I Corinthians 2:9-13, I Corinthians 3:16, I Corinthians 12:3-13, II Corinthians 3:17-18, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 2:18

 

III. THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that people were created in holiness, under the law of their Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state. In consequence, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil. Therefore, all are under just condemnation to eternal judgement without defense or excuse.

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Genesis 1:27, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6-24, Genesis 6:12, Psalms 51:5, Isaiah

53:6, Romans 1:18-2:16, Romans 3:9-19, Romans 5:12-19, Galatians 3:22, Ephesians 2:1-3

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IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. By the appointment of the Father, Jesus freely took upon Himself our nature yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience and, by His death, He made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in

heaven. Uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

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Psalms 34:15-22, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 20:28, John 1:1-18, John 3:14-17, Romans 3:21-26, I Corinthians

15:1-4, II Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 4:4-5, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 2:6-8, I Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews

1:3, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25-26, Hebrews 9:12-15, I John 4:9-10

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V. JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness. It is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. By faith, His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God. Justification brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

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Isaiah 53:11-12, Acts 10:42-43, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 3:24-26, Romans 4:3-5, Romans 4:23-5:2, Romans

5:9-11, Romans 5:17-21, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 1:3, Philippians 3:7-9, Titus 3:4-7, II Peter 1:1-4

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VI. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a warm-hearted, repentant, and obedient faith. It is certain that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. Voluntarily rejecting the gift of salvation rightfully

aggravates his condemnation before a just God.

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Isaiah 55:1-7, Matthew 11:20-24, Matthew 12:39-42, Matthew 23:37, Mark 1:14-15, John 3:14-21, John

5:39-40, Acts 13:46, Romans 6:23, Romans 9:30-32, Hebrews 10:26-31, Revelation 22:17

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VII. NEW BIRTH

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, born again. Regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind. The cause of regeneration is above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit not man’s free will, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. The evidence of regeneration appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.

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Deuteronomy 30:6, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Matthew 3:8-10, Matthew 7:15-27, John 1:12-13, John 3:3-8, Acts 2:36-47, Romans 2:28-29, II Corinthians 4:5, II Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:16-24, Ephesians 4:20-24, Philippians 2:12-13, James 1:17-18, I Peter 1:22-25, I John 1:6-7, I John 4:7-8

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VIII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are urgent duties and also inseparable graces, shaped in our souls by the Spirit of God. Through His Spirit, we are deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, and we turn to God with genuine remorse, confession, and supplication for mercy. At the same time, we are heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

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Psalms 51, Psalm 110, Mark 1:15, Luke 15:18-21, Luke 18:13-14, John 16:7-11, Acts 2:36-47, Acts 3:18-

26, Acts 11:18, Acts 16:30-34, Romans 10:9-13, I Corinthians 12:3, II Corinthians 7:10-11, Ephesians

2:8, James 4:6-10, I John 1:9

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IX. ELECTION AND FREE AGENCY

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners — not because of foreseen merit or foreseen faith in them, but of his mere mercy in Christ. Election is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man. It empowers the believers with all the necessary means to continue faithfully. It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable. It utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy. Its effect may be known with certainty in all who truly believe the Gospel, and it is the foundation of Christian assurance. Without contradiction, God has ordained the free agency of man. Inasmuch, men and women make real choices and perform real actions that have real effects. Therefore, with regard to ourselves, the assurance of election demands and deserves our utmost diligence.

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Exodus 33:18-19, Deuteronomy 30:17-20, Joshua 24:14-15, Matthew 7:7-11, Mark 5:25-34, John 6:37-40, John 6:44-45, John 10:16, John 15:15-16, Acts 13:48, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9, Romans 10:5-11, Romans 11, I Corinthians 1:26-31, I Corinthians 3:5-7, Galatians 1:15-17, I Corinthians 9:19-23, Ephesians 1:3-14, I Thessalonians 1:2-10, II Thessalonians 2:13-14, Hebrews 6:9-12, I Peter 1:1-2, I Peter 2:9, II Peter 1:10-11

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X. SANCTIFICATION

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness. It is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, and in the continual use of God’s appointed means – especially, the Word of God, self- examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

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Exodus 33:18-19, Deuteronomy 30:17-20, Joshua 24:14-15, Matthew 7:7-11, Mark 5:25-34, John 6:37- 40, John 6:44-45, John 10:16, John 15:15-16, Acts 13:48, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9, Romans 10:5-11, Romans 11, I Corinthians 1:26-31, I Corinthians 3:5-7, Galatians 1:15-17, I Corinthians 9:19-23, Ephesians 1:3-14, I Thessalonians 1:2-10, II Thessalonians 2:13-14, Hebrews 6:9-12, I Peter 1:1-2, I Peter 2:9, II Peter 1:10-11

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XI. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe all those whom God has regenerated will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace but shall certainly persevere to the end. Though they may fall into sin through neglect and the temptation of Satan, the world, or corruption remaining within, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again to repentance and be kept by the power of God through faith to salvation. A special Providence watches over their welfare, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. A true, personal assurance of knowing Christ comes by joyful obedience to His commandments and a growing conformity to His image.

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Matthew 6:30-33, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 24:12-13, Matthew 13:20-21, John 8:31-32, John 15:10- 11, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:28-39, Philippians 1:6, II Timothy 2:19, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 6:9-12, Hebrews 7:24-25, Hebrews 10:19-23, Hebrews 10:35-39, Hebrews 13:5, I Peter 1:3-5, I John 2:3-6, I John 2:19, I John 2:24-29, I John 3:6-10, I John 3:18-24, I John 4:4, I John 5:13, I John 5:18, Jude 24-25

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XII. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

We believe that the kingdom of God, already present but not fully realized, is the exercise of God’s blessed reign in the world toward the reversal of the curse on all creation. It is an invasive power that regenerates and renovates the lives of individuals through repentance and faith, thus plundering Satan’s kingdom. It establishes a new community of human life together under God. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.

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Isaiah 9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Matthew 13:1-52, Luke 12:31-32, Luke 17:20-21, John 3:3, John 18:36, Acts 1:6-7, Colossians 1:13, Hebrews. 12:28, 1 Peter 2:4-10, Revelation 21-22

 

XIII. THE CHURCH

We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are members. In conjunction with the universal church, the local church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by the new covenant in the blood of Christ and fellowship of the gospel. The congregation of believers observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by His laws, and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them

by His word. The church’s only scriptural officers are Elders (also called Pastors or Bishops/Overseers), and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. The office of Elder (overseer/pastor) is limited to men above

reproach and able to teach. Christian unity is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ’s people. Cooperation is desirable when the goal is justified and involves no compromise toward the word of Christ.

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Matthew 16:13-19, Matthew 18:15-20, Matthew 28:18-20, John 10:16, John 15:12-14, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:1-35; 20:17, 28, Romans 16:17-20, I Corinthians 4:17, I Corinthians 5, I Corinthians 12, I Corinthians 14, II Corinthians 6:14-18, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:1-16, Ephesians 5:23, Philippians 1:1, II Thessalonians 3:6, II Thessalonians 3:14-16, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Titus 1:5-9, Hebrews 10:24-25, I John 4:20-21

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XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S TABLE

We believe that Christian baptism is an ordinance of Jesus Christ in the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism shows forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. We believe the Lord’s Table is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, and to be

observed by his churches till the end of the world. It is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge, and renewal of their communion with him.

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Matthew 26:26-29, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, Acts 2:38-42, Acts 16:32-

34, Romans 6:3-6, I Corinthians 10:16-17, I Corinthians 11:17-34

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XV. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. Church and state have separate jurisdictions. The state owes to every religious group protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. Government officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

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Exodus 18:21-23, II Samuel 23:3-4, Psalms 72, Daniel 3:14-18, Daniel 6:7-10, Matthew 22:21, Acts 4:18-20, Acts 5:27-29, Romans 13:1-7, Romans 14:1-13, I Timothy 2:1-4, Titus 3:1, I Peter 2:13-14, Revelation 19:16

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XVI. FAMILY

We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is a witness to the eternal love of Christ for his Church; it is therefore the public lifelong covenant union of one man and one woman. God gave them the good gift of sex as a whole person bonding activity between husband and wife to confirm and deepen their marital relationship. Since the Christian attitude to sex is, as in all other things, not self-satisfaction for the sake of self but self-denial for the sake of others, Christians, bearing true witness to their natural sex as God created them, are to pursue chaste singleness outside of marriage and exclusive faithfulness within it. This is the reason for the clear and unambiguous commands of Holy Scripture to this effect, and for the consistent, unchanging submission to this teaching by the Church in all ages. God has designed marriage to be a covenantal, channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, means for procreation of the human race, lifelong union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife, and is meant to signify the covenant love between Christ and his bride the church. 

 

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God since both are created in God's image. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. Great blessings flow to all people when marriage is widely honored. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

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Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:15-25, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalms 78:1-8, Psalms 127:3-5, Psalms 139:13- 16, Proverbs 5:15-19, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 31:10-31, Jeremiah 1:5, Malachi 2:13-16, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-12, Mark 10:2-12, Luke 1:39-45, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 8:14-17, I Corinthians 7:1-17, Galatians 4:4-7, Ephesians 5:22-33, Ephesians 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21, Titus 2:3-5, Hebrews 12:5-11, Hebrews 13:4, I Peter 3:1-7

 

XVII. LAST THINGS

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The wicked will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting and conscious punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and

glorified bodies will receive their reward and shall go into everlasting life in

the new creation with the Lord.

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Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 11:9, Matthew 16:27, Matthew 18:8-9, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 24:27-44, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 26:64, Mark 8:38, 9:43-48, Luke 12:35-48, Luke 16:19-31, Luke 17:22-37, Luke 21:5-36, John 14:1-3, Acts 1:11, Acts 17:31, Romans 14:10-12, I Corinthians 4:5, I Corinthians 15:24-58, II Corinthians 5:1-10, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 1:5, Colossians 3:4, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, I Thessalonians 5:1-11, II Thessalonians 1:3-12, I Timothy 6:14, II Timothy 4:1-8, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:27-28, James 5:8, II Peter 3:3-13, I John 2:28, I John 3:2, Jude 14, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 20, Revelation 21:1-8, Revelation 22:11-15