About

Our Beliefs

I. God

We teach that there is only one true God (John 17:3, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), Who created all things (Revelation 4:11), and upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3), in Whom we love and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He (Deuteronomy 32:4), and He shall judge the world (Psalm 9:8).  We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6).

II. God the Father

We believe in God the Father, and teach that He is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love.  We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.  (Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1-2, 2:5-6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6).

III.  God the Son

We teach the deity of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit.  We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death, resurrection and teachings.  We believe He is fully God and fully man.  We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth.  (Matthew 1:18-25, 20:28; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1, 20:28-31; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8, 6:9-10, 8:46, 9:5; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:4; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 7:25, 9:28; I Peter 2:21-23).

IV. God the Holy Spirit

We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, uncreated possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect (I Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (I Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:1-3).  In all the divine attributes He is co-equal and co-substantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 12:4-6; II Corinthians 13:14.)

V. The Trinity

We teach that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption.  (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3, 4:24; Romans 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:5-6).

VI. Scripture

We teach that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the people of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17).  We believe that the 66 books of the Bible are all given by the inspiration of God (and, therefore, inerrant in the original autographs) in the sense that the Holy Spirit guided men of old in their choice of the very words of the sacred writings; and that His divine inspiration is not in different degrees, but extends equally and fully to all parts of these writings; historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical, and to the smallest word, provided such word was present in the original manuscripts (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21).  The public reading of the Bible is to be from either the KJV or the NKJV except for quotes from other translations during teaching and preaching.

VII.  Spirit Beings

Angels – We believe that God created an innumerable company of sinless spirit beings.  Although they are a higher order of creation than humanity, they were 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 and Satan – We believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin.  He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator, by taking numerous angels with him in his fall, and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve.  He is the open and declared enemy of God and mankind.  He is the prince of this world, who was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and he will be eternally punished in the lake of fire.  (Genesis 3:1-15; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 4:1-11, 25:41; II Corinthians 4:3-4; Revelation 12:1-14; 20:10.)

VIII.  Creation

We believe that the creation of the universe from nothing is neither allegory nor myth but a literal, historical event.  The existence of all things is the result of the direct, immediate, creative acts of the triune God over six literal days.  (Genesis 1) Humanity – body and soul/spirit – was created by a direct work of God.  Humans did not evolve from previously existing forms of life.  The entire human race descended from the historical Adam and Eve, the first parents of the entire human race. (Genesis 1-2; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17).

IX. Man

We teach that man, created in the image of God, fell from his state of innocence by eating the forbidden fruit, and as the consequence of his disobedience, the threatened penalty of death was then and there applied, so that his moral nature was not only grievously injured by the fall, but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil (Genesis 1:26, 3:17; Ephesians 2:1-3; I John 3:8).  We teach that by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned (Romans 5:12), and judgment came upon all men to condemnation (Romans 5:18), for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

X. Of the Way of Salvation

We teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Matthew 18:11; Acts 15:11; Ephesians 2:5; I Corinthians 3:5-7; I John 4:10) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (John 1:1-14, 3:16; Hebrews 4:14, 12:24) who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:9-14) honored the divine law by his personal obedience (Isaiah 42:21; Romans 3:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:8) and by his death made a full atonement for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25, 3:21-26; I Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; I John 2:2, 4:10) that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven (Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 1:8, 8:1) and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (Psalm 14; Psalm 89:19; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18, 7:25-26). 

XI. Regeneration

We teach that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again (John 3:3, 6-7; I Corinthians 1:14); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 2:28-29, 5:5; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 4:7); and is effected in a manner above our comprehension or calculation, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (John 1:13, 3:8; I Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 2:13; James 1:16-18); so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:9-11; I Peter 1:22-25; I John 5:1); and that its proper evidence is found in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life (Matthew 3:8-10, 7:20; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-21, 5:9; I John 5:4, 18).

XII.  Of Repentance and Faith

We teach that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; I John 5:1); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38, 16:30-31); we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (Psalm 51; Luke 15:18-21, 18:13; Romans 10:12-13; II Corinthians 7:11; James 4:7-10); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (Psalm 2:6; Acts 3:22-23; Romans 10:9-11; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 1:8, 4:14, 8:25).

XIII.  The Freeness of Salvation

We teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel (Isaiah 55:1; Luke 14:17; Revelation 22:17); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by an affectionate, repentant, and obedient faith (Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17, 16:26); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17, 16:26), which refusal will subject him to a worse condemnation (Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; John 3:19; II Thessalonians 1:8).

XIV.  Of God’s Purpose of Grace

We teach that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners (Hosea 12:9; John 15:15; Romans 11:5-6; Ephesians 1:3-14; II Timothy 1:8-9; I Peter 1:1-2; I John 4:19); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (Matthew 20:16; John 10:16; Acts 13:48, 15:14; II Thessalonians 2:13-14); that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (Exodus 33:18-19; Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 20:15; Romans 9:23-24, 11:28-36; Ephesians 1:11; II Timothy 1:9; James 1:17-18); that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Acts 1:24; Romans 3:27, 4:16; I Corinthians 1:26-31, 3:5-7, 4:7, 15:10; Ephesians 1:16; Colossians 3:12; I Thessalonians 2:12-13; I Peter 2:9, 5:10) ; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (John 6:37-40; Romans 8:28-30; I Corinthians 9:22; II Timothy 2:10; II Peter 1:10); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (I Thessalonians 1:4-10); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (Isaiah 42:16; Romans 8:28-30, 11:29); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 6:11, II Peter 1:10-11).

XV. Justification

We teach that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares us to be righteous through faith in Christ Jesus; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation of God’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer (Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:12; Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1-9, 8:1; I Corinthians 5:18-21).

XVI.  Sanctification

We teach that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner – first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior (I Corinthians 6:11) – second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the believer’s life (I Thessalonians 4:3-8) – third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord’s return (Ephesians 5:26-27).

XVII.  The Perseverance of the Saints

We teach that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (John 8:31; I John 2:27-28, 3:9, 5:18); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (Job 17:9; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69, 13:18; I John 2:19); that a special providence watches over their welfare (Psalm 91:11-12, 121:3; Jeremiah 32:40; Matthew 6:30-33; Romans 8:28); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (II Kings 6:16; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Hebrews 1:14, 13:5; I John 4:4; Jude 24-25).

XVIII.  Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

We teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government (Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:20, 31, 4:15); that it is holy, just, and good (Psalm 119; Romans 7:7, 12-14, 22; Galatians 3:21); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (Joshua 24:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 5:44, 6:44; Romans 8:7-8); to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church (Matthew 16:17-18; Romans 8:2-4, 10:4; I Corinthians 12:28; I Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 8:10, 12:14; Jude 20-21).

XIX.  The Church

We teach that there is the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members.  We teach that there are local churches, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship.  We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary tasks of helping other believers emulate Christ and giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world (Acts 1:8, 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-22, 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:23-25).

XX. The Ordinances

We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  We teach that Biblical baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit under the authority of the local church (Matthew 28:18-20); to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership (Acts 3:40-41, 8: 36-39).  We teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes (I Corinthians 11:26) and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination (I Corinthians 11:27-28).  The elements themselves represent the body and blood of the Savior in symbol only.  There is neither common nor efficacious grace extended to the recipient of these ordinances.

XXI.  Of the Lord’s Day

We teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, the day appointed for the regular assemblies of the church.  We teach that Christians should meet with the church on the Lord’s Day for public worship, fellowship, instruction and observance of the ordinances, and that it should be utilized to cultivate personal spiritual growth and as a testimony before the world (Matthew 28:1-6; John 20:19; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2).

XXII.  Of Civil Government

We teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (Exodus 18:23; Deuteronomy 16:18; I Samuel 23:3; Jeremiah 30:21; Romans 13:1-7); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed (Matthew 22:21; I Timothy 2:1-8; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Daniel 3:15-18, 6:7-10; Matthew 10:28; Acts 4:18-20, 5:29); who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (Psalm 2, 72:11; Matthew 23:10; Romans 9:13, 14:4; Revelation 19:16).

XXIII.  Christian Conduct

We teach that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should see to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.  (John 14:15, 23-24; Romans 12:1-3; I Corinthians 4:2, 10:31; II Corinthians 9:6-9; Colossians 1:9-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; I John 2:3-6).

XXIV.  Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 15:19; Malachi 3:18; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:16); that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem (Proverbs 11:31; Romans 1:17, 6:18, 22; I Corinthians 11:32; I Peter 4:17-18; I John 2:29, 3:7); while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse (Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 55:6-7, 57:21; John 3:36; Galatians 3:20; I John 5:19); and this distinction holds among all people both in and after death (Proverbs 10:24, 14:32; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 9:23-26, 12:4-5, 16:25; John 8:21-24; 12:25-26).

XXV.  Last Things

We believe that Christ will return to earth in His glorified body; that the dead will be raised from their graves; that the righteous will be received into endless joy; that the wicked will be assigned to endless punishment, according to principles of righteousness; that the present world will be destroyed and that a new heaven and a new earth will be instituted wherein dwells perfect righteousness.  1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 13:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13.  Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11.  Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42.

XXVI.  Moral Issues

Abortion – We believe that human life begins at fertilization and that the unborn child is a living human being.  Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn God-given human life.  God is the author of life and death. Therefore, abortion is murder (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14–16; Isaiah 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15–18; Luke 1:44).

Euthanasia – We believe that God is the author of life and death.  The direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of intention.  Life is a gift of God and must be respected from fertilization to natural death (Exodus 20:13, 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28).

Human Sexuality – We believe that sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman is sin.  Any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgender, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.  God has created us male and female, and He desires that we find joy and contentment in His design (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8–9; Leviticus 18:1–30; Romans 1: 26–29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1Thessalonians 4:1–8; Hebrews 13:4).

Marriage – We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22–23).

Gender Relationships – We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate functions for men and women in the home and the church.  The husband is the head of his household, serving as a shepherd/leader in the home.  Likewise, men are to hold the offices of authority in the church.  Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church and qualified to exercise their authority by leading mixed adult worship services and adult Christian education classes (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8–15; 3:4–5, 12).

Family Relationships – We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.  The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church.  The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural leadership of her husband as the Church submits to the headship of Christ.  Children are a heritage from the Lord, and parents are responsible to oversee their children’s spiritual and moral instruction, which includes a consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including scriptural corporal correction (Genesis 1:26–28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Psalms 127:3–5; Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:13–14; Mark. 10:6–12; 1 Corinthians 7:1–16; Ephesians 5:21–33; 6:1–4, Colossians 3:18–21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1–7).

Divorce and Remarriage – We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until the death of a spouse. Divorce and remarriage are regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication and spousal abandonment.  Divorce is also permissible to end civil unions or legal marriages which violate Scriptural marriage as defined above (such as polygamous or homosexual unions).  However, marriage to an unbeliever is not solely a legitimate ground for divorce (Malachi 2:14–17; Matthew 19:3–12; Romans 7:1–3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).