Statement of Faith

1. The Scriptures

We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired by God and without error in the original manuscripts. They are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. Through the providence of God, the Scriptures have been preserved (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

2. God

We believe in one eternal God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct in person and function, yet all having the same nature, perfections, and attributes, and each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience (Exodus 20:2-3; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 8:6).

3. God the Father

We believe that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6).

He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36).

4. God the Son

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, has existed eternally, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, a virgin, and is true God and true man. That He shed His Blood on a cross at Calvary as a vicarious substitute, was buried, rose again bodily, and ascended to the Father according to the Scriptures (John 1:1,14; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Colossians 1:13-22 ).

5. God the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, very God, coexistent with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the chief agent in regeneration, the chief convictor of sin, and the chief comforter of the believer. Simultaneous with regeneration, the Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Christ. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.

We believe that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers.

Moreover, that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (Matthew 28:19; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3,4; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:17,18; 5:18; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12; 1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21,22)

6. Creation

We believe that in the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world and all things in it both visible and invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female, with reasoning and immortal souls, rendering them fit to live that life for Him for which they were created. Being made in the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and having the power to fulfil it; - and yet living under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will which was subject to change. ( John 1:2, 3; Hebrews 1:2; Job 26:13; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:26; Romans 2:14, 15; Genesis 3:6)

7. Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby brought upon himself physical death and spiritual death which is separation from God, and that all human beings are totally depraved, born with a sinful nature and are sinners in thought, word and deed (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-13, 23; 5:12, 19; Jeremiah 17:9).

We believe that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8).

8. Salvation

We believe that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; Philippians 3:9; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

9. Election

We believe that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2).

We believe that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17).
Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith, and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).

10. Regeneration

We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24; Romans 10:17) when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of regeneration. This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10).

11. Eternal Security

We believe that salvation is not only a gift from the Lord, but also is sustained by the Lord. The Holy Spirit permanently indwells the believer and seals him in salvation for eternity. Therefore, since salvation is wholly of the Lord, apart from the works of man, we hold that the believer shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. This security in no way gives professors in Christ a license to sin. It is our conviction that all who are preserved by God's eternal power should and will pursue holiness (John 6:39, 10:28; 14:16-17; Romans 6:22, 8:35-39; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:4; 1:13; 2:8,9; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24,25).

12. Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded of God.

We believe in the separation of church and state.

We believe that we are free to enjoy spiritual fellowship with all believers in Christ, but that we should not partnership in spiritual work with any ecumenical endeavour, neo-orthodoxy, or any such efforts that compromise Bible truth (Matthew 22:21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

13. Marriage

We believe that marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman as outlined in Scripture, according to God's plan (Gen 2:23-24; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Mark 10:6-9)

Biblical marriage is God's provision for mankind to preserve and protect society and provide a safe environment for the rearing of children. Any sexual or intimate relationship outside of marriage is sin before God and demands repentance. Those illicit relationships include fornication (sex with a partner while not married), adultery (sexual relations with someone other than your spouse), polygamy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pedophilia, incest and bestiality. (Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 18; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Leviticus 18:6-18).

We believe a healthy marriage will be honoring to God and void of worldly influence, including pornography and worldly practices that destroy the beauty of the relationship as God has intended. (Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5: 22-33).

14. The Church

We believe that the Church, which is Christ’s body, is the spiritual organism consisting of all born again believers of this New Testament age (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

We believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).

We believe that it is God’s plan to work through the local church in this age. A biblical church is an organized body of believers, baptized by immersion upon a credible confession of faith in Jesus Christ, self-ruling and independent of outside leadership, and banded together for spiritual service, worship, edification, the observance of Baptism and Holy Communion, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 3:10; Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:11-12).

We believe the biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (males, also called bishops, pastors, and pastor/teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5).

We believe that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

We believe in the priesthood of all believers so that every Christian has direct access to God in prayer through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, and that there is no mediator between God and man other than Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 1:6).

15. The Gospel of Jesus Christ

We believe that there is but one gospel message (Galatians 1:6-9). That Gospel is the joyous declaration that God is redeeming the world through Christ (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:68; Eph 1:7; Col 1:20), and that he calls everyone everywhere to repent from sin and trust Jesus Christ for salvation (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 17:30).

Each of us has sinned against God (Rom 3:23), breaking His law and rebelling against His rule, and the penalty for our sin is death and Hell (Rom 6:23).

Yet, because He loves us, God sent his Son Jesus (John 3:16; Eph 2:4; 1 John 4:10) to live for His people’s sake the perfect, obedient life God requires (Rom 8:4; 1 Cor 1:30; Heb 4:15). And to die in their place for their sin (Isa 53:5; Mat 20:28; 26:28; Mark 10:45; 14:24; Luke 22:20; John 11:50-51; Rom 3:24-25; 4:25; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:14; 1 Pet 3:18).

On the third day, He rose bodily from the grave (Mat 28:6) and now reigns in heaven (Luke 22:69; 24:51; Heb 8:1), offering forgiveness (Eph 1:7), righteousness (Rom 5:19), resurrection (Rom 8:11), and eternal blessedness in God’s presence (Rev 22:4) to everyone who repents of sin and trusts solely in Him for salvation.

16. Ordinances

We believe that the scriptural ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord's Supper and are to be administered by the local church. That baptism by immersion should be administered to believers as a symbol of their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as a testimony to the world of that belief and of their death, burial, and resurrection with Him. Baptized believers to show forth His death should partake of the Lord’s Supper "till He come" (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).

17. Baptism

We believe that Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person who is baptized - a sign of his fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection. Of his being engrafted into Christ; of remission of sins; and of that person's giving up of himself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2; 12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4)

Those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects for this ordinance. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8)

The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the person is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38)
Immersion - the dipping of the person in water - is necessary for the due administration of this ordinance. (Matthew 3:16; John 3:23)

18. The Lord's Supper

We believe the Supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by Him the same night on which He was betrayed to be observed in His churches until the end of the world for the perpetual remembrance, and showing forth of the sacrifice of Himself in His death. It was also instituted by Christ to confirm believers in all the benefits of His death; - for their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him; - for their further engagement in and commitment to all the duties which they owe to Him; - and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Him and with their fellow believers. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17, 21)

We believe all ignorant and ungodly persons who are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ are equally unworthy of the Lord's Table, and therefore cannot without great sin against Him, take a share in these holy mysteries or be admitted to the Supper while they remain in that condition. Indeed those who receive (the elements) unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment to themselves. (2 Corinthians 6:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew 7:6)

19. The Lord’s Day

We believe that the New Testament Church gives the example of assembling on the Lord’s Day (i.e. Sunday) for the reading and teaching of the Word of God, worship, prayer, and mutual encouragement - stimulating one another to love and good deeds. It is fitting to view the Lord’s Day as a celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the redemption of His people (1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10).

20. Angels

Holy Angels:
We believe that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).

Fallen Angels:
We believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15).We believe that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:9-10). That he is the prince of this world, who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

21. Israel

We believe in the literal fulfillment of the prophecies and the promises of Scripture, which foretell and assure the future regeneration and restoration of national Israel (Genesis 13:14-17; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 30:6-11; Romans 11).

22. Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life in Heaven, and unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment in Hell (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

23. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

We believe in the literal, visible, personal, pre-millennial, pre-tribulation return of Jesus Christ for His Church. At this event, the dead in Christ and living believers will be translated to meet Him in the air. At the end of a seven-year tribulation, Christ will visibly descend with the saints to establish His earthly millennial Kingdom (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:1-6).

24. The Judgement of the Lost

We believe at the close of the Millennium comes the judgment of unbelievers. The saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God (Revelation 20-22). We believe that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment (John 5:28-29), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15).

25. Eternity

We believe that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15). The saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15; 21:1-27; 22:1-21). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Revelation 21-22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28), that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).