STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, who is Creator of all (Deuteronomy 6:4; Colossians 1:16) who created the heavens and the earth, and all that inhabits His creation, in perfection and without sin in six literal 24-hour days, and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:9-11; Romans 5:12). He is eternally existing in three distinct Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14), yet one in being, essence, power, and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (John 10:30). God is eternal (Psalm 90:2), infinite (I Timothy 1:17), sovereign (Psalm 93:1) and unsearchable (Romans 11:33-34). God is omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-13), omnipotent (Revelation 19:6), and unchanging (Malachi 3:6). God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and righteous (Exodus 9:27). God is love (I John 4:8), gracious (Ephesians 2:8), merciful (I Peter 1:3), and good (Romans 8:38).
Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is fully God, the expressed “image of the invisible Father,” who, without ceasing to be God, became man in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (Matthew 1:21; John 1:18; Colossians 1:15). That is why He is worthy to be worshiped (Revelation 5:8-9)
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary; that He lived a perfect, sinless life; that he thought the way of God in truth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; 22:16).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, substitutionary sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5-6) and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; Ephesians 1:7).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:9-10) and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1-2).
We believe that the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven to be the Judge of the living and the dead (Psalm 67:4; 75:7; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:11-14).
Holy Spirit
We believe in the deity and personality of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). He regenerates sinners (Titus 3:5) and indwells believers (Romans 8:9). He is the seal by whom the Father seals His own unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is the Divine Teacher who illumines believers’ hearts and minds as they study the Word of God (I Corinthians 2:9-12).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is ultimately sovereign in dividing to every man the spiritual gifts as He wills. (I Corinthians 12:11)
Man
We believe that man (male and female) came into being by the direct creation of God and that man is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). We believe that the human race sinned in Adam (Romans 5:12), that sin is universal in man (Romans 3:23), and that it is exceedingly offensive to God (Psalm 11:5). We believe the Scripture teaches that man inherited a sinful nature, that he became alienated from God (Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21), that he became totally depraved (Isaiah 38:10), and that of himself, he is utterly unable to remedy his lost estate (Ephesians 2:1-5,12). We believe that all men are guilty and in a lost condition apart from Christ (Ecclesiastes 7:20; John 14:6; Romans 3:9, 19, 23; 11:32; Galatians 3:22; I John 1:8-10).
We believe that, because of our sinfulness, we need a Savior and that we, therefore, cannot trust in our own works and merits, but must trust in Jesus Christ alone and in the sufficiency of His work. (Psalm 33:22; 39:7; 71:5; 119:81; 130:7; Jeremiah 17:7; John 15:5)
Scripture
We believe the Scriptures of the Old (39 books) and New (27 Books) Testaments were given by the inspiration of God and are infallible and the authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. All Scripture is in its original autographs the very Word of God and is therefore without error and utterly reliable with regard to fact and teaching. They rely for their authority upon no church, council, or creed, but are authoritative simply because they are the Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21)
Church
We believe Jesus Christ established His universal Church which is a spiritual organism made up of all the elect of God to worship and serve Him. It is the obligation and privilege of the saved ones to witness by life and by word the truths of the Holy Scriptures and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2)
We believe the establishment and continuance of local churches are clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures “till He come” (Matthew 16:18; Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28; I Corinthians 11:26; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
We believe that the Lord taught us to observe two ordinances: the Lord's Supper and Baptism (Matthew 26:26-28; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:8; I Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; that the gifts of evangelists and pastors and teachers are sufficient for the perfecting of the saints today; and that the new revelations, signs, and wonders ceased as the 66 books of the Bible were completed and their authority became established (I Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-13; II Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Revelation 22:18-19).
We believe in the necessity of maintaining the purity of the church in doctrine and life by the Word of God.
We believe that the ministry of the Gospel proclaimed in this congregation of God's people will help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our God and Savior.
We believe in submitting to the authority of the spiritual leadership of this congregation as those who uphold its Constitution, who care for our spiritual well-being, and who must give an account to the Lord on the last day (Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 4:5).
We believe that it is unbiblical for a female to hold office as Pastor, Elder, or Deacon in the Church. (I Timothy 2:12)
Things To Come
We believe in the “Blessed Hope” (Titus 2:13), the personal, visible, and imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6; I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all people: the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28,29; 11:25,26; Revelation 20:5,6,12,13; Daniel 12:1,2).
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where they await the resurrection to reign with Christ. (Luke 23:43; Revelation 20:4-6; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16,17).
We believe that the souls of the unbelievers remain, after death, in the place of silence(Amos 8:3) until the resurrection, when they shall appear at the Great White Throne of God to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting punishment with Satan and his demons. (Luke 16:19-26; Matthew 25:41-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude Verses 6,7; Mark 9:43-48; Revelations 20:11-15)