Our Church Statement of Faith
We believe:
Scripture
1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:21).
God
2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing.
Jesus
3. That Jesus Christ is a true God who became flesh, (John 1:14) having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on high, He now is our High Priest and Advocate (Luke 1:26-27, I Peter 3:18, I Corinthians 15:3-8, Hebrews 8:1-2).
Holy Spirit
4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 14:26-27, 16:5-15, Ephesians 5:18-20).
Man
5. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:27, 3:17-19, Romans 3:10-12, 5:12, Titus 3:4-7).
The Blood
6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God (I Peter 1:18-19, Acts 4:10-12, John 1:12, Ephesians 2:4-5).
Water Baptism
7. That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age as Jesus commanded. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation (Matthew 28:17-20, I Corinthians 11:23-28, Romans 6:1-11).
Universal Church
8. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head (Ephesians 4:1-6, I Corinthians 12:12-13, Colossians 1:18).
Local Church
9. That only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25).
The Right of Local Church
10. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and that every local church has the right under
Christ to decide and govern its own affairs (Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18).
Hereafter
11. In the personal and premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this blessed
Hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (Acts 1:11, I Thessalonians 4:16-
17, John 14:2-3, Titus 2:11-14).
The Rapture
12. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (Philippians 3:20, II Corinthians 5:1, Revelation 7:13-17, Luke 16:22-24, Revelation 21:8, II Thessalonians 1:9).
Satan
13. That Satan is the enemy of God and all righteousness and is at work in the world today through demonic emissaries who attack the mind, body, will, heart, and conscience. Satan is the roaring lion seeking to deceive, destroy, rule, and accuse (John 8:44, Matthew 13:36-43, Ephesians 6:10-20).
The Calling
14. That all believers are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices and to a positive, sanctified, consistent life (James 4:4, Romans 12:1-2, I John 2:15-16, II Corinthians 6:14-18).