1. The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, which is the rule for faith and practice. The Word of God, especially the New Testament, is the standard by which Christians order their lives.
II Peter 1:20-21 2 Tim 3:16
2. God the Father
We believe in one God, the Father, not created, but eternally existing, and that he is Triune, expressed in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor 13:14 Matt. 3:16-17 Matt. 28:19 Gal. 4:4-6 I John 5:1-13
3.God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He is a divine being, God incarnate, (God in the flesh,) not created but begotten. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the virgin womb of Mary. “The word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) Christ as Deity died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. If Christ be not God then we are yet in our sins and without hope.
John 1:1 Matt 1:23
4. God the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, not created but proceeding from the Father and the Son. Not as a mere force, power, or influence but as a person, and that He convicts of sin, effects the new birth, gives guidance, comfort, and empowerment in life. He enables perseverance in faith and holiness and gives gifts to men severally as He wills. We further believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit found in Romans 12 and I Cor. 12 to be valid through the New Testament dispensation, and are to be practiced for the edifying of the body of Christ, and not for personal glory.
John 16:7-11 John 16:13 I Cor. 12:11
5. Fallen Man
We believe that man is a fallen creature, originally created in the image and likeness of God, and mankind through disobedience to God fell to a condition of spiritual death. This death passed upon all people. Humanity is helpless, set only on wickedness continually, and is in need of salvation.
Gen. 3:1-24 Rom. 5:12 Eph. 2:1
6. Heaven and Hell
We believe that heaven and hell are real places. People who die without Christ will exist eternally in a burning lake of fire, being tormented in the flames. People who die in the Lord will live eternally in heaven with Christ, experiencing blessings which no man can utter.
Matt 13:50 Matt. 3:12 Matt. 25:41 Rev. 14:11 Rev. 20:14-15 John 14:1-3 Matt 5:12 Rev. 22:1-21
7. Salvation
We believe that those who believe in Christ shall have eternal life. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He is the sacrifice and payment for the sins of fallen man. Man must respond with repentance toward God, with a change of mind, heart, and will, and with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We further believe in the assurance of salvation for all true believers, but that salvation is conditional, and only those that continue in the faith, and remain pure from the defilement’s of sin and the world will be saved. Believing is a present, continuous act of the will.
I Cor. 15:1–3 John 3:16 Rom. 10:13 Acts 2:21 I Peter 1:5 Acts 4:12
Through Jesus Christ brethren are to be kept free from the sins of the flesh and spirit including all types of witchcraft, sorcery, divining, and other occult practices.
Gal 5:19-21
8. Satan
We believe that Satan exists as a fallen angelic being, who, through rebellion, lost his position in heaven. We recognize this foe and his kingdom of darkness, and that we are in a spiritual battle which demands our continual standing in Christ, our power.
I Peter 5:8 Eph. 6:10-18 II Cor. 10:3-5 Ezek. 28:13-17
9. The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth. He shall come in like manner as He left. We look to, hope for, and expect at any time the return of our Lord. This hope causes God’s people to purify themselves.
John 14:1-3 Acts 1:9-11 I John 3:3 Heb. 9:28
10. Discipleship
We believe that discipleship is a clear characteristic of all true Christians. A disciple bears the cross and denies himself, forsaking those things that hinder his relationship with God. The crucifixion of the flesh is the operation of God by faith; a surrender of ones will to God.
Luke 14:33 Luke 14:26-27 Rom. 6:11-16 Gal. 2:20-21 Col. 2:10-12 Gal. 5:24
We further believe that Christian maturity is attained, maintained, and expressed in a life of devotion to God. The study of God’s Word, meditation, prayer, fasting, and singing from the heart is an expression of that devotion. We believe that the heart which is lifted up to God will bring forth the conduct commanded in the scriptures.
John 4:23-24 Gal. 5:22-23 Rom. 8:4, 16 Col. 3:10 I Peter 3:18
The Great Commission given by Christ to His disciples was a commission to all Christians to go and tell the good news of salvation to a lost world, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded. A disciple of Christ is responsible to share Christ as opportunity arises in daily living.
Matt. 28:19-20 Ps. 126:6 Mark 16:15 Acts 8:4 Acts 5:42
11. The Church
We believe that the church is the Body of Christ, both local and world-wide. The church consists of those persons from all nations who are redeemed by the blood of Christ, and who have responded to the call of salvation and walk in obedience of faith. We also recognize that not all who name the name of Christ are true Christians, only those who manifest true scriptural fruit.
John 3:16 Acts 10:34-35 Rom. 10:13 Rev. 5:9 Acts 20:28 I Cor. 12:27 Eph. 1:22-23 I John 1:1 I John 5:21 Matt. 7:21
We further believe the church must exercise discipline of the erring in order to maintain its purity and for the restoration of a fallen brother or sister.
Romans 1:22-32 I Cor. 5
We believe that the church is given the authority by God and his word to choose its leaders and officials for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Eph. 4: 11-12 I Cor. 12:28
12. Christian Ordinances
We believe that the ordinances were instituted by divine authority for the purpose of drawing our attention toward divine truth. Seven of these ordinances are as follows: