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Statement of Faith and Doctrine

(NOTE: The intent of providing scriptural support for each section is for the purpose of using representative, but not exhaustive, references from God’s Word. All members must agree with all the essentials of the faith and must respect and teach the entire doctrinal statement. Those sections marked by a double asterisk, (**), are not considered to be essentials of the faith.)

Section 1: Holy Scriptures

  1. Old and New Testaments: We believe the Scriptures, as contained in the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, to be the divinely inspired, verbal plenary, inerrant, Word of God. The Scriptures we have today are the divine and final infallible authority for all Christian faith and life.
  2. God’s Word Revealed to Man: We believe that God is the Divine Author and that the Bible is the only written revelation of God to man and is infallible.
  3. Truth : We believe that God’s Word is Truth and is therefore the Christian’s complete guide on all matters of faith and practice.
  4. Scriptural Support: Proverbs 30:5-6; John 8:31 -32; 17:17 ; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21;

Section 2: The Godhead

The Trinity : We believe in one living, sovereign and true God, an infinite all-knowing spirit, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - all having the same attributes and perfection; that each is equal and worthy of our worship and obedience and that they execute distinct and harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. God is eternal, unchangeable, uncreated, immutable, transcendent, invisible, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, holy, loving, forgiving, merciful and gracious.

  1. The Father : We believe that God the Father is the first person of the Trinity, the Father of Jesus the Son, the Father of all mankind and Spiritual Father of the redeemed, those people who have been saved from their sins. He orders, disposes, upholds, directs and governs all things according to His purpose and has decreed all things that come to pass for his own glory.
  2. The Son : We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, the eternal and unique Son of God, who became fully man without ceasing to be fully God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born by miracle of the virgin birth. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. He accomplished our redemption through His substitutionary, atoning death on the cross, as recorded in the Holy Scriptures. Our justification was made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
  3. The Holy Spirit : We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men of their sin, to regenerate the believing sinner, and to indwell, comfort, gird, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and indwells every believer in Christ, from the moment of salvation, and administers spiritual gifts to them. He is their Abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide.
  4. Scriptural Support: Genesis1:1, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; I Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 45:5-7; Matthew 1:18-25; 28:19; Luke 1:26-38; 10:21-22; 24:38-39; John 1:1-2, 14; 3:16; 4:24; 10:30; 14:9-11, 16, 26; 15:27; 16:7-11;13-14; Acts 1:8-9; 2:30-33; 4:31; 5:1-4; 10:44-45; Romans 1:19-20; 3:24-25; 5:8; 8:9-11; 14, 34; 11:36; I Corinthians 3:16; 8:6; 15:27-28; II Corinthians 3:6; 6:18; 13:14; Ephesians 1:3,11, 13,17, 22-23; 4:5-6; Philippians 2:5-9; Hebrews 6:20; 7:25; 8:6; 9:11, 24-28; I Peter 1:3-5, 2:24; I John 2:1-2, 20, 27

Section 2: Man

  1. Creation of Man: We believe that man, both male and female, was created in the image and likeness of God.
  2. Fall of Man: We believe that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to God, man fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God. We believe, as a result of sin, man is totally depraved and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition, apart from God’s grace and mercy.
  3. Value of Life: We believe that all life is sacred, special and valued by God, including the unborn, the physically and/or mentally impaired , the sick, and the elderly.
  4. Institution of Marriage: We believe that God instituted marriage and that He ordained marriage to be permanent and only between one man and one woman.
  5. Scriptural Support: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7; 15-25; 3:1-19; Exodus 20:13-14; Leviticus 24:17; Deuteronomy 5:17-18; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Matthew 19:4-6; Acts 17:25-26, 28; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 7:2-3; I Corinthians 7:7-16; 39; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12; James 3:9

Section 3: Salvation

We believe that salvation is an act of grace by God through His Son, Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed on the cross for the redemption of sin. Salvation is appropriated by individual faith and not on the basis of human merit or works.

  1. Redemption: Redemption is the atoning work of Christ, through the shedding of His blood on the cross and is the sole payment of the price to redeem man from the penalty for sin.
  2. Regeneration: Regeneration isthe supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that gives new life to one who is spiritually dead unto God. Those who are spiritually born again repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as Savior. One who is born again will manifest their new life by bearing fruit and living in a manner that honors God.
  3. Justification: Justification is an act of God in which he declares righteous those who have repented of their sins, who by faith have trusted Christ as their Savior.
  4. Sanctification and Separation: We believe that all who have trusted Christ as their Savior are sanctified, set apart unto God and therefore identified with Christ as His saints. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer transforms them into the likeness of Christ, enabling them to live in a manner that honors and pleases God. Scripture exhorts all who are saved to live in a manner that does not bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord or His church. We believe God commanded separation from all religious apostasy and from all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations.
  5. Eternal Security and Assurance: We believe in the eternal security of all true believers and in the full assurance of eternal life. All believers, based solely on the work of Christ on the cross, are saved forever and can not lose their salvation. Based on the promise God makes in His Word, everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ alone and holds fast to Him for salvation has assurance of eternal life.
  6. Scriptural Support: Matthew 5:2-12; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 8:33, 35, 38, 39; 12:1-2; 14:13; I Corinthians 1:2,30; 5:9-13; 6:11, 19-20; II Corinthians 3:18; 6:14, 17-18; Galatians2:16;3:7-9;Ephesians 1:4-7,13; 2:8-10; 5:17-21; Philippians 1:6; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Thessalonians 1:11; 2:13; II Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 3:5, 7; Hebrews 2:11; 7:25; I Peter 1:4-5;18-19; I John 2:15-17; 5:12-13; II John 9-11.

Section 4: Church

  1. Body of Christ: We believe in the true and invisible church that began on the day of Pentecost. Each person who receives Jesus Christ as their personal Savior is redeemed from the penalty of sin and is a member of that invisible church, the body of Christ. Each member is called to serve Christ.
  2. Purpose: The primary function of the church is to glorify God, through Christ, making Him known and to gather frequently for the purpose of worship, encouragement of one another, spiritual growth, fellowship, instruction in the scriptures, prayer and the breaking of bread (communion).
  3. Governance: The head of the church is Christ. Elders and deacons are called by God to lead and serve His church under His lordship.
  4. Ministry and Spiritual Gifts: We believe that the gifts of evangelist, pastor and teacher are for the perfecting of the saints today to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up. God supernaturally and graciously grants spiritual gifts to every believer for the purpose of serving the body of Christ. The miraculous gifts of healing, signs and wonders, tongues and intrepretation of tongues, during the apostolic era, were for the purpose of authenticating the apostle’s message. (These miraculous gifts gradually diminished as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and the authority of the scriptures became established. **) In accord with His will, we believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith for the sick and afflicted.
  5. Missions: We believe it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and word to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all mankind.
  6. Ordinances : We believe that our Lord committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Neither is considered essential to receive salvation, but both are acts of obedience toward God and a means of public testimony for one who has been saved. Both signify union with Christ and fellowship with Christ in newness of life.
  7. Scriptural Support: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; John 15:7; Acts 1:8; 2:38-42, 47; 8:36-38; 20:28; 12:4-8; I Corinthians 6:19-20; 11:23-26; 12:4-27; 15:58; II Corinthians 12:12; 5:19-20; 12:12; Ephesians 1:22; 2:11- 3:6; 4:7-12; Philippians 2:27; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-13; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 2:3-4; 10:25; James 5:15; I Peter 4:10 ; 5:1-4; Revelation 22:12

Section 5: Angels

  1. Holy Angels: We believe that angels are spirit beings created for the purpose of serving and worshipping God. They are ministering spirits to help those who inherit salvation and are not to be worshipped.
  2. Fallen Angels: We believe that Satan is an angel created by God, rebelled against God and is therefore a fallen angel. In his fall, many angels, along with Satan, fell into rebellion against God. These are described as demons, unclean spirits, evil spirits and spiritual forces of wickedness. Satan is the author of sin and the instigator of the fall of man; he is the open and declared enemy of God and man and he will be eternally punished in the lake of fire.
  3. Scriptural Support: Genesis 3:1-15; Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 4:1-11; 10:1; 18:10; 25:41; Luke 2:9-14; 7:21; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:18; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 2:1-14; 5:11-14; 20:10.

Section 6: Last Things

  1. Rapture: We believe in that “Blessed Hope,” the personal, bodily, imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones.**
  2. Return: We believe that Jesus Christ will subsequently return to earth with His saints to save believing Israel and establish His Millennial Kingdom.
  3. Eternal State : We believe in the bodily resurrection of all who are saved, the believers, to eternal bliss and the unsaved to judgement and conscious, everlasting punishment. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are at death separated from the body and the soul immediately passes into the presence of the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection at His coming, when spirit, soul and body will be reunited. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne of Judgment for everlasting conscious punishment in hell, the lake of fire.
  4. Tribulation: We believe in the tribulation, the fulfillmentof Daniel’s prophecy concerning Israel ’s seventieth week, a literal seven year period
  5. Millennial Reign: The millennial reign is the period of time after the tribulation when Christ will come with great power and glory to reign with His bride, the church, for 1000 years.
  6. Heaven: The third heaven is the abode of the Triune God and will be the abode of the raptured saints when Christ returns for them. Those who enter heaven will be perfected for eternity and made partakers of the fullness of Christ. It is a place of beauty, life, service, worship and glory.
  7. Hell: Hell is the place of future punishment for the conscious suffering of the wicked, the eternal abode of those who reject Jesus Christ. It is described to be a place of everlasting punishment by fire, the lake of fire.
  8. Scriptural Support: Psalm 19:7; Zechariah 14:4-11; Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 6:9; 10:28; 25:46; Luke 10:20-21; 16:19-26; John 1:16; 5:28-29; 14:1-4; Acts 2:31; II Corinthians 4:17; 5:8; I Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:9-10; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; I Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 10:14; Revelation 3:10;19:11-16; 19:1-3; 20:1-6; 11-15; 21:1-22:7; 22:3.