I. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; 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 standards by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
1. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God but IS the very Word of God.
2. 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 and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II Tim 3:16-17; II Pet 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psalms 119:160; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psalms 119:89; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 3:4; I Pet 1:2-3; Rev 22:19; John 5:45-45; John 5:39
II. OF THE true God
We believe that there is one and only living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth: inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equaling every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 20:2-3; Genesis 17:1; I Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6; John 4:24; Psalms 147:5; Psalms 83:18; Psalms 90:2; Jer10:10; Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; I Tim 1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6; Eph 2:18; II Cor 13:14
GOD THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father is the Father of all creation, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal spiritual Father of all who believe in Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:3; Heb. 12:9.
GOD THE SON
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is absolute deity, the image of the invisible God. He existed with God the Father in eternity past and came into this world fully human without ceasing to be God. He was begotten of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Christ lived as a man yet without sin.
Isa. 7:14; Mat. 1:22-23; Luke 1:26-27, 35; John 1:1-2, 14; Col. 1:15-20, Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalms 2:7; Galatians 4:4; John 5:20; I Cor 15:47
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven in His glorified, resurrected body, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He acts as the only true Mediator between God and man fulfilling the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate.
Acts 1:9-10; Rom. 8:34; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25, 8:1; 1 John 2:1-2.
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; and in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's Purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, indwells, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.
John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; II Thess 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph 1:13-14; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:16; II Thes 2:13; I Peter 1:2; Romans 8:26-27; I Cor 13:8-13; Heb 2:3,4
III. OF THE CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution of evolutionary change of species, or developments through interminable periods of time from lower to high forms; that all animals and vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was they should bring forth only "after their kind".
Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:2; Acts 17:23-26; Jeremiah 1:12; Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:24; Genesis 2:21-23
VI. Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:19; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18; Ezek 18:19-20; Romans 1:32; Romans 1:20; Romans 1:28; Galatians 3:22
V. Of the Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; 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; 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; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tender most sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.
Eph 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor 15:23; II Cor 5:21; John 10:18; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 1:4; I Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:11-12; Hebrews 12:2; I Cor 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 9:12-15; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:2
VI. Of Grace and the New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous and not a process; 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; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Cor 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; Acts 13:30-33; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Cor 5:19; Col 2:13; John 3:8; John 1:12-13; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9
VII. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all in the Gospels; that is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
I Thess 1:4; Col 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 2:38; Isaiah 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Timothy 1:15; I Cor 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36
VIII. 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; that it 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 into us.
Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zech 13:1; Romans 5:9; Romans 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 1:17; Hab2:4; Galatians 3:11; Romans 4:1-8; Hebrews 10;38; RPM 8:1
IX. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening spirits of God; 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; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confess Him as our only and all sufficient Savior.
Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:13; Psalms 51:1-4; Psalms 51:7; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-11
X. Of the Local Church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of Scripturally baptized believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in Scriptures; and we believe the true mission of the Church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have the opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of an hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its corporations; on all matter of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41-42; I Cor 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11; I Cor 12:4,8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Timothy 3:1-13; II Cor 8:23-24; I Cor 16:1; Malachi 3:10; Revelation 27:32; I Cor 16:2; I Cor 6:1-3; Matthew 28:19-20; Col 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; I Peter 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3:4; I Cor 6:1-3; I Cor 5:11-13
XI. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water 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; that is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation. We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; I Cor 11:23-28
XII. OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:31-32; Colossians 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matthew 13:19-21; Romans 8:23; 10:29; John 16:8; Romans 8:35-39; Matthew 6:30; Psalms 121:3; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28
XIII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; and that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ; that such only as through faith are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; 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.
Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 4:18; Romans 1:17; I Cor 5:22; Acts 30:34-35; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Romans 7:6; I John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; Romans 7:6; Romans 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25: Matthew 25:34,41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt 7:13-14
XIV. ANGELS: Our spiritual helpers
Angels are created, spirit beings which are immortal, intelligent, powerful and glorious. They are the servants of God and minister to the members of the Body of Christ
Psalm 103:20; Mat. 24:36; Luke 9:26; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:13-14.
XV. OF THE DEVIL AND DEMONS
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels, that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of the world. We hold him to be man's greatest tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezek 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Eph 2:2; John 14:30; I Thes 3:5; Matthew 4:1-3; I Peter 5:8; Zech 1:3; I John 3:8; Matthew 13:25; Luke 22:3-4; Revelation 12:10; 2:22; II Cor 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John 1:7; I John 2:22; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41
XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for; conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of earth.
Romans 13:7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14, 17; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:10; Revelation 10:6; Philippians 2:10-11; Psalms 72:11
XVII. 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. Of the resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures"; that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God", that he alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God"; "That this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in the like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" - bodily, personally and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the living saints "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump"; "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David"; and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until he hath put all enemies under His feet".
Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2,4-6; Acts 1:9,11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:1, 12:2, 8:6; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thes 4:16; Matthew 24:27, 25:13; Jas 5:8; Matthew 24:42; Hebrews 9:28; I Thes 4:16; I Cor 15:42-44; I Cor 15:51-53; I Thes 4:17; Philippians 3: 20-21; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7; II Cor 15:25; Isaiah 32:1, 11:4-5; Psalms 72:8; Revelation 20:1-4, 20:6
XVIII. OF MISSIONS
We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:1; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:12,14-15
XIX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
We believe that God's method of financing the work of spreading the Gospel to all nations; the care of the churches and the support of the ministry is by the tithes and offerings of His people. That is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
II Cor 8:7; I Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 9:6,7; Hebrews 7:2,4; Lev 27:30; Matthew 23:23; Acts 4:34-35, 37
