Beliefs

The Scriptures

We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God; that the very words were spoken by God to holy men of old; that divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the Scriptures in the original manuscripts. Further, God has promised to preserve His pure Word free from loss or corruption throughout all generations. The Scriptures are the only complete and final revelation of the Word of God to man and are therefore our only rule for faith and practice. We believe that in English the King James Version is a very faithful translation of the original languages. Basically, all Modern English translations of the Bible are not faithful translations, among other reasons, because they are translated from corrupted sources. Therefore, we exclusively use the King James Version, seeing undoubtedly God’s hand of blessing upon it. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Mark 12:36; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Proverbs 30:5-6; Psalm 119:89, 160; Revelation 22:18, 19; Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 12:6, 7; I Peter 1:23-25

The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God: an infinite, intelligent, perfect spirit and personal being; the creator, preserver, and supreme ruler of the universe; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and all other perfections and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three (3) persons: God 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. John 4:24; Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Exodus 15:11; Mark 12:30; Ephesians 2:18

The Person of Christ

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He is the very God by Whom and for Whom all things were created; that He was virgin born; that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and is God manifest in the flesh; that He lived a perfect, sinless life and gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men; and that He rose bodily from the grave. John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 9:14, 28; John 1:29; I Corinthians 15:4-8

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person and not just an influence. We believe that He is equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He was active in creation; that He convicts of sin, judgment, and righteousness; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer; and that He calls individuals into Christian service and empowers and directs them in that service. We reject the modern charismatic movement with its unscriptural emphasis on speaking in tongues and other sign gifts. John 14:16, 17; John 16:7-14; Genesis 1:2; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:49; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:14-16, 26; II Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 13:2-4; I Corinthians 12-14

Creation

We believe that the Genesis account of creation is literal and is the accurate historical record; that man, the universe, and all that is in it were created by God and not some process of evolution; that the six days of creation were literal twenty- four hour days. Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:7, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 27; Exodus 20:11; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3

Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners not by constraint, but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse. Genesis 1:27-31; Genesis 3:6-24; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 1:20; Romans 5:12, 19-20

Salvation

We believe that God in His love and mercy has provided eternal salvation through the perfect redemptive and substitutionary atonement of our Lord Jesus who bore all the sins of the world in His own body. The conditions of salvation are repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ; that it is totally of grace through faith, apart from any human works or effort, plus or minus nothing; that it is freely given to all who will receive it. Man cannot obtain salvation apart from the convicting and renewing work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Romans 5:8; I Peter 2:24; I John 2:2; Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:37,44; John 3:5; Romans 10:17

Blessings of Salvation

We believe that all who are in Christ are justified, forgiven, imputed with Christ’s righteousness, regenerated, given eternal life, adopted into the family of God, redeemed, given spiritual gift(s), sanctified, sealed, and eternally secure in Him. Therefore, all true believers will endure to the end. Romans 5:1-9; Hebrews 10:17; I John 1:9; Romans 4:5-8; Titus 3:5; John 3:3-5; John 10:28; Ephesians 1:5,13; Colossians 1:14; I Corinthians 12:4-11; Hebrews 10:10; John 5:24; I John 5:4

The Local Church

We believe that the local New Testament church is a visible assembly of baptized believers, associated by common faith and fellowship in the Gospel; observing the ordinance of baptism by immersion and the Lord’s supper, governed by His Word, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles 1 Timothy and Titus; that the mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; that each local church has the absolute right of self-government with Christ as the Head, free from the interference of any hierarchy of any individuals, churches, or organizations. Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 5:23-24; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 6:3-5; Acts 15:22

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that it is commanded by our Lord and is to be practiced by the church; that it pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and also the believer’s death to sin and his resurrection to a new life. We believe that the communion of the Lord’s Supper is a privilege and responsibility intended only for those who are baptized believers in Christ; that the sacred use of the bread and fruit of the vine are symbolic only, commemorating together the death of Christ. It is to be preceded by solemn self- examination. Acts 8:36-39; Acts 10:48; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41,42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31

Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; that civil authorities are to be prayed for, honoured, and obeyed, except only in the things opposed to God’s Word; and that the Church and state should be separate, the state owing the church protection and full freedom. Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; Daniel 3:12-18; 1 Timothy 2:1-2

The Righteous and Wicked

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the righteous (saved) resulting in their everlasting blessedness with Christ and in the bodily resurrection of the wicked (unsaved) resulting in their everlasting, conscious punishment in the Lake of Fire. 1 Corinthians 15:12-54; John 5:28-29; John 14:2-3; Revelation 20:5-6, 10-15; Luke 16:24

Things to Come

We believe in the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, and pre-millennial coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones (the Rapture), immediately followed by the tribulation. Christ subsequently returns to earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom. Acts 1:6,7,11; I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Matthew 24:15-31; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:1-3; I Thessalonians 1:10

Contemporary Issues

A. The Family and Sexuality

We believe that God has ordained marriage and the family; that marriage is one man and one woman lawfully joined together for life; that marriage is to continue until death and that divorce is not the plan of God. For the protection of society and the family, God commands that sexual relations are only lawful between a husband and wife in the bonds of marriage; therefore, adultery, homosexuality, and fornication are sinful. Realizing many individuals have violated God’s standard, we desire to reach out in love and help them find deliverance and freedom from sin through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 19:3-9; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

B. Gender Distinctions

We believe that God views men and women equal in importance, but distinct in roles; that the spiritual leadership and offices of pastor and deacon are limited to qualified men. Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18-23; 1 Timothy 2:12; 3:2, 12

C. Separation and Co-operation

We believe that fellowship is to be based upon obedience to the Word of God; therefore, we must separate from all churches and movements that deviate from the Scriptures. We do seek to co-operate with Bible-believing churches of like faith and order. Psalm 133:1-3; Amos 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 John 1:6, 7; Jude 3

D. Sanctity of Life

We believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all human life; therefore, all mankind has purpose. We believe that God has made us in His image; therefore, all mankind has intrinsic value. We believe that God is the Sovereign Lord of life; therefore, all mankind has the inherent right of life from conception to natural death. We believe that abortion, murder, suicide, and euthanasia are sinful. Genesis 1:26; 9:6; Exodus 20:13; Job 1:21; Psalm 139:13-18; Jeremiah 1:5; Acts 17:24-28