Our Statement of Faith

Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is God’s revelation to man. The Bible as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired and the product of men controlled by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is inerrant and infallible (John 10:35; Romans 7:12) and is the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which any question which relates to faith and practice shall be adjudicated. We believe that the Bible is historically, geographically, and culturally accurate in every detail.

Of the True God

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite 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 Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; 1 John 5:7).

Of the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe in the absolute deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Eternal Son, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit (John 1:1-3, 10:30; Ephesians 1:4; Micah 5:2). Prior to His incarnation, He appeared in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord (Genesis 16:9-11; 22:11, 15; Numbers 22:22-35; Judges 13:13-21; 2 Samuel 24:16; 2 Kings 1:3, 15). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20, 23-25). He lived a sinless life, and in His death He became the complete and perfect substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, the just dying for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ arose bodily from the grave (1 Corinthians 15), and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) where He now intercedes for us as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). He will return bodily to earth to establish His Kingdom (Revelation 19).

Of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person (Acts 5:3-4), equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in creation (Genesis 1:1-3); that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled (2 Thessalonians 2:7); superintended the writing of Scripture (John 14:26, 2 Peter 1:21); that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8-11); that He does the work of regeneration (Titus 3:5); that He indwells (Romans 8:9), baptizes into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), seals (Ephesians 1:13-14), fills (Ephesians 5.18), teaches (1 John 2:27), leads (Romans 8:14), and prays for (Romans 8:26) believers.

Of the Devil (or Satan) and Angels

We believe that Satan is a person and was created without sin and enjoyed heavenly honors as Lucifer; but that through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels (Isaiah. 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17); that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians. 2:2). He is man’s great tempter (Matthew. 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:5); the enemy of God and His Christ (Revelation 20:1-3); the accuser of the saints (Revelation 12:9); and the author of false religions (2 Corinthians. 11:13-15; Revelation 13:13-14). Satan is destined to final defeat at the hands of Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 24-28), and to the judgment of eternal torment in the lake of fire which was prepared for him and his angels (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 20:10).

Angels are created beings which possess intellect, emotion, and will (1 Peter 1:12; Luke 2:13; Jude 6). They apparently neither reproduce nor die (Mark 12:25; Luke 20:36). They worship God (Isaiah 6:1-3; Hebrews 1:6).They are messengers of God (Daniel 9-12; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-33, 2:13 Revelation); ministers of God (Hebrews 1:6, 7, 14; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; Acts 12:7); and the military of God (2 Kings 6:17; Matthew 13:36-43; 26:53). Fallen angels are those who chose to follow Satan, including demons (Matthew 12:24). They may be divided into those who are free to oppose God (Daniel 10:13: Revelation 16:13, 14) and those confined for later judgment (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6).

Of Creation

We believe that God created all things in the universe during the six literal twenty-four hour days as recorded in the Genesis record. This record is the literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God without any evolutionary process (Genesis 1 & 2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3).

Of Man

We believe that man was created directly by God out of the dust of the ground, and God breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Man is both physical and immaterial. He was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). He was created in innocence. Adam and Eve are the seminal parents of the human race (Genesis 1-2).

By the voluntary transgression of Adam, man fell from his sinless state, so now all men are born with a sin nature received from Adam (Genesis 3:l-6; Romans 5:12). Man is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3), and is totally depraved, having no ability to please God. All men are sinners by nature and by conduct, and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Romans 1:18-3:20).

Of Sin

God is not the author of sin; He utterly abhors sin (Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 34:10; James 1:13). However, He created beings with a capability to sin.

Sin entered into the world with Satan (1 John 3:8; John 8:44). Sin entered into the human race with the fall of man (Genesis 3:1-7).

The word “sin” means to fall short of the standard which God has established. 1 John 5:17 states that “all unrighteousness is sin;” and 1 John 3:4 defines sin as lawlessness. Sin resulted in the separation of the entire human race from God (which is spiritual death) and the separation of the body from the immaterial part of man (which is physical death).

Of Salvation

We believe that the basis of our salvation is the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Romans. 3:24-26). It has been purchased by the Precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:16-19). Christ is the sinless, substitutionary Savior (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24) Who suffered in our place for our sins.

Salvation is totally by the grace of God which is freely given. We cannot earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved by the grace-faith principle. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and convicts of sin, and righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-11), and the sinner repents (Acts 20:21). God gives the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8), the person believes on Christ (Romans 10:13), and the Holy Spirit does the work of regeneration (Titus 3:5).

The results of salvation are manifold. We are redeemed (Romans 3:24). We are reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:19-21). We are delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13). We are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). We are assured of future glorification (Romans 8:30). We are justified or judicially declared righteous (Romans 3:24). We have our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We are of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). We receive the Spirit of adoption and so are heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17; Ephesians. 1:3). We receive the position of sonship and are legal heirs by adoption (Galatians 4:4-7). We are indwelt by the Godhead (Ephesians 4:6; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 6:19). We are positionally sanctified or set apart unto God (1 Corinthians 6:11). We are eternally secure (John 5:24; 10:27-30).

Of the Local Church

We believe that the local church is an organized body of believers who have been immersed and who have covenanted together for the purposes of maintaining the apostles’ doctrine, continuing in fellowship, worship, prayer, and the ordinances (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), and the implementing of the “Great Commission” (Acts 2:41-42; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We believe that these activities are to be carried out by each member through a holy lifestyle and an active verbal witness to build up believers and to reach the unsaved for Christ.

We believe that the two offices of the local church are the bishop (pastor-teacher) and deacons (Philippians 1:1; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Pet. 5). The qualifications for these offices are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:1-10, and clearly indicate that only men can fill these two church offices. We believe that a congregational form of church government has the best support in Scripture (1 Corinthians 5:5; Acts 14:23; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Peter 2:5, 9)

Of Future Events

The Rapture is the next event to occur prophetically. It is the event in which the church, the body of Christ, His Bride, will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians. 4:16-17). There are no signs to be fulfilled before this event can take place. The Rapture will occur before the Tribulation and is not to be confused with the Second Advent of Christ.

Following the Rapture is the seven year Tribulation, which is the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24-25; Revelation 4-19). During this “time of Jacob’s Troubles” on earth the Christians are judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) which takes place in heaven.

At the end of the Tribulation is the Second Advent of Christ (Revelation 19), following which Christ establishes His Millennial Kingdom, His thousand year reign on earth (Revelation 20:4-6).

At the end of the Millennium, Satan is loosed for a “Little Season” at the end of which he is cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:7-10).

The Great White Throne judgment occurs next which is the judgment of the unrighteous (Revelation 20:11-15). Finally, the Eternal State is established (Rev. 21-22).

Of Civil Government

We believe that civil government was established by God for the interests and good order of human society (Romans 13:1-7). Our Biblical responsibilities include praying for those who have authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-2), respecting and obeying them except in those things opposed to the Word of God (Daniel 3:17-18).

We believe that separation of church and state is a principle to follow (Matthew 22:21). God established government (Genesis 9:1-6). God expects believers to be responsible citizens (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). When there is a conflict between God’s Word and government, we are to obey God (Daniel 3; 6; Acts 5:17-42).

Of the Value of Human Life

We believe in the sanctity of human life as God has created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27; 9:6). We believe that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:14-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44), and therefore abortion, the taking of a human life while in the womb, is murder and is morally wrong. Euthanasia, the taking of the life of a person who is considered hopelessly ill or injured, is also morally wrong.

Of Marriage and Family

We believe that God has established marriage and the family (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-33). As God created male and female and gave them the responsibility to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:27 -28), we believe that marriage is between one man who was born genetically a male and one woman who was born genetically a female. As God has given the husband and the wife the responsibility to care for the sexual and intimate needs of one another (1 Corinthians 7:2-5), and the marriage is honorable and the bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4), any and all other sexual relationships including homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex (Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9).

We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce (Malachi 2:14-17; Mark 10:1-12), and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies (Romans 7:1-3). We believe that those believers who have been divorced or divorced and remarried are to unite with a local church (Acts 2:41-47), and they are to serve in the local church and be greatly used of God. However, they are disqualified from serving as a pastor or deacon (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6).

Of Separation

We believe that the Bible teaches personal separation from worldliness (James 4:4), the sinning brother (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) and all appearance of evil (l Thessalonians 5:22) to maintain a proper testimony before the saved and unsaved for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31-32).

We believe the Bible also teaches ecclesiastical separation from those who teach false doctrine (I Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 2:16-18). Therefore, a Biblically sound church can cooperate only with churches of like faith and practice.

Of Sign Gifts

We do not believe that the present day charismatic movement is Biblically based. Sign gifts (tongues, healing) were specifically for the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:22). They were signs confirming God’s choice of an individual and the message he preached. The times when these sign gifts were prominent were limited to a two-generation span during which these gifts were passed on from the first to the second generation, but not passed on to a later generation (Moses – Joshua; Elijah – Elisha; Christ – His disciples).