Bible

1)

We believe the 66 books of the Bible to be divinely inspired , written revelation of God to man, and the only inerrant, infallible Word of God, in their original manuscript.⁽¹⁾ 

⁽¹⁾ 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21

2)

We believe and teach the Bible is the only authoritative rule, given to mankind, in all matters of faith, practice and conduct.  This includes not only salvation⁽¹⁾ from the penalty of sin, but instruction in righteousness for present sanctification and victorious living, to the glory of God and for the edification of the church⁽²⁾.  Its authority is not limited to spiritual, religious or redemptive themes, but is inclusive in its assertions in such areas as history, science, marriage, rearing of children, culture responsibilities etc.⁽³⁾.

⁽¹⁾ 1Peter 1:23;  ⁽²⁾ John 15:3;  ⁽³⁾ Romans 15:4; 1 Peter 4:11

3)

We believe the final guide to the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself⁽¹⁾.

⁽¹⁾Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21

God

4)

We believe that there is one God⁽¹⁾ eternally existent in three Persons (the Godhead being Triune) – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit⁽²⁾.  He is omnipotent⁽³⁾, He is omnipresent⁽⁴⁾, He is omniscient⁽⁵⁾ and immutable⁽⁶⁾.

⁽¹⁾Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6;  ⁽²⁾Genesis 1:26; Genesis 11:7; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14;  ⁽³⁾Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; ⁽⁴⁾Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24; 2 Chronicles 6:18; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:8 ⁽⁵⁾Psalm 139:1-6; 1 John 3:20; Proverbs 5:21;  ⁽⁶⁾Numbers 23:19; Psalm 102:26-27; James 1:17

5)

We believe the God we serve is holy⁽¹⁾, righteous⁽²⁾, good⁽³⁾, just⁽⁴⁾, loving⁽⁵⁾ and full of mercy⁽⁶⁾. He is the Creator of everything that has been created, both visible and invisible⁽⁷⁾.

⁽¹⁾Psalm 99:5, 9; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; ⁽²⁾Psalm 145:17; John 17:25; ⁽³⁾Psalm 25:8; Psalm 119:68; Luke 18:19; ⁽⁴⁾Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 45:21;  ⁽⁵⁾1 John 4:8, 16;  ⁽⁶⁾Psalm 145:8; 1 Peter 1:3;  ⁽⁷⁾1 Chronicles 29:11

Christ

6)

We believe in the true deity⁽¹⁾ and full humanity⁽²⁾,  being both wholly God and wholly man⁽³⁾, of our Lord Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾John 10:30;  John 14:10-11;  ⁽²⁾John 1:14; ⁽³⁾Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:9-18, ⁽⁴⁾Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35

7)

We believe in the sinless life⁽¹⁾ of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His miracles, in His atoning death⁽²⁾ through His shed blood – bearing the judgment demanded by God’s holy justice against sin for all man⁽³⁾, thus making it possible for God to remain just and at the same time to justify those who believe in Christ Jesus.⁽⁴⁾

⁽¹⁾2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5; ⁽²⁾John 10:15; ⁽³⁾Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter:2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; ⁽⁴⁾Romans 3:21-22; Romans 3:26

8)

We believe in the bodily resurrection⁽¹⁾ of the Lord Jesus Christ, never to die again; and in His ascension⁽²⁾ to the right hand of the Father⁽³⁾.

⁽¹⁾Matthew 20:19; John 2:19-22; Acts 1:3; Acts 2:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:4;  ⁽²⁾Acts 1:2;  ⁽³⁾Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22

Holy Spirit

9)

We believe in the full deity of the Holy Spirit⁽¹⁾, acknowledging Him together with the Father and the Son as Creator and Redeemer⁽²⁾.

⁽¹⁾Acts 5:3-4;  ⁽²⁾Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

10)

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit⁽¹⁾, baptizing all true believers⁽²⁾  into the one true church, the body of Christ⁽³⁾ and that He indwells them eternally, bestowing spiritual gifts upon them⁽⁴⁾, teaching all things necessary, and empowering them, to produce fruits of righteousness through service and holy living⁽⁵⁾.

⁽¹⁾John 14:16-17, 26;  ⁽²⁾ 1 Corinthians 12:13;  ⁽³⁾1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27;  ⁽⁴⁾ Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-30;  ⁽⁵⁾ John 16:13; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12

Sin

11)

We believe that because of Adam’s sin, all mankind is in rebellion^{(1)  ___} inherently from Adam and individually through choice⁽²⁾, and are therefore subject to God’s wrath and condemnation⁽³⁾.  And that there was no sin, suffering or death prior to the event of Adam’s sin⁽⁴⁾ but entered the world after the sin of Adam⁽⁵⁾ and is the basis for the necessity of salvation for all of mankind.

⁽¹⁾ Romans 5:12;  ⁽²⁾ Matthew 15:18-19; James 1:14-15;  ⁽³⁾ Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5-8; Romans 5:18;  ⁽⁴⁾ Genesis 1:31;  ⁽⁵⁾ Romans 5:12

12)

Death (both physical and spiritual) entered into this world subsequent to, and is a direct consequence of, man’s sin⁽¹⁾.

⁽¹⁾ Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23

Salvation

13)

Freedom from the penalty and power of sin is available to man only through the sacrificial death and shed blood of Jesus Christ⁽¹⁾, and His complete and bodily resurrection from the dead⁽²⁾.  We believe the sacrifice of Christ and the substitutive covering of sin by His shed blood is for all of man⁽³⁾, for him that believes in Christ⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾ Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 9:11-22; 1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 2:21-24;  ⁽²⁾ Luke 24:46; Acts 26:23; Romans 4:23-25; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-20;  ⁽³⁾ John 3:15-17; John 12:47; 1 John 2:2; ⁽⁴⁾ John 3:16, 36

14)

We believe that the salvation of man is a free gift received by faith alone, in Christ alone⁽¹⁾, and through no merit of their own⁽²⁾, receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.   They are miraculously born again of the Holy Spirit⁽³⁾, and as children of God⁽⁴⁾, become partakers of His divine nature having escaped the corruption that is the world⁽⁵⁾, and are eternally secure in Him⁽⁶⁾.  This faith will be and is expressed in the individual’s repentance, recognition of the death of Christ as full payment for sin, and acceptance of the risen Christ as Savior, Lord and God.

⁽¹⁾Romans 6:23;   ⁽²⁾Ephesians 2:8;  ⁽³⁾John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5;  ⁽⁴⁾1 John 5:1-2;  ⁽⁵⁾2 Peter 1:4;  ⁽⁶⁾1 John 5:20; John 6:47; John 17:2-3

Physical Death

15)

We believe that at death the soul and spirit of the redeemed pass immediately into Christ’s presence⁽¹⁾ to remain there until the resurrection of the body⁽²⁾ at Christ’s return for the church⁽³⁾.  We also believe that at death the soul and spirit of the lost go to hell⁽⁴⁾, where they remain until they are brought before Christ at the Great White Throne⁽⁵⁾ final judgment to be judged⁽⁶⁾   according to their works⁽⁷⁾ and cast into the lake of fire⁽⁸⁾, there to remain eternally, being subjected to everlasting conscious punishment⁽⁹⁾, called the second death⁽¹⁰⁾.

⁽¹⁾2 Corinthians 5:6, 8;  ⁽²⁾Acts 24:15;  ⁽³⁾1 Thessalonians 4:15-16;  ⁽⁴⁾Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:8;  ⁽⁵⁾Revelation 20:11;  ⁽⁶⁾John 5:29;  ⁽⁷⁾Revelation 20:12-13;  ⁽⁸⁾Revelation 20:14-15;  ⁽⁹⁾Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46;  ⁽¹⁰⁾Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:8

Future

Times

16)

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the redeemed⁽¹⁾ at the premillennial return of Christ for His one true church when the soul and spirit of those who have died (now immortal), will be reunited with their bodies⁽²⁾.  The bodies of believers who are alive at that time will likewise be transformed into immortality, being caught up together⁽³⁾ with those that have died in Christ, to meet Christ in the air and to be forever with Him⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾1 Corinthians 15:42-49;   ⁽²⁾1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52; ⁽³⁾1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17;  ⁽⁴⁾Revelation 22:3-5

17)

We believe in the bodily return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (His return being personal, in power and glory), to rescue Israel at Armageddon⁽¹⁾  and to establish His millennial kingdom.  He will reign over this earth, from His father David’s⁽²⁾  throne⁽³⁾  in Jerusalem; and that His redeemed will reign with Him in resurrected bodies for 1,000 years⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾Revelation 16:16;  ⁽²⁾2 Samuel 7:13; Matthew 9:27;  ⁽³⁾Psalm 89:26-29; Luke 1:32;  ⁽⁴⁾1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4

Baptism  and the Lord’s Supper

18)

We believe that water baptism⁽¹⁾ and the Lord’s Supper⁽²⁾ are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age.  They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation . . . but are signs of obedience and submission to the Lord.

⁽¹⁾Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:13-24, 36-39; Acts 10:47-48; ⁽²⁾Matthew 26:26-28; Luke22:17, 19-20; Acts 2:38-42, 46; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 21; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

19)

We believe that the ordinance of baptism is followed only after the acknowledgement and belief⁽¹⁾ in the personal need for a savior, believing that Christ was the substitutive sacrifice for the sin of man.

⁽¹⁾Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 18:8

Satan

20)

We believe that Satan is real, and is the personal, spiritual adversary of both God and man.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9-10

21)

We believe Satan to not have the attributes of omnipotence, omnipresence, nor of omniscience, as he will be judged⁽¹⁾, bound⁽²⁾, restrained⁽³⁾ and cast into hell⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾John 16:11;  ⁽²⁾Revelation 20:2;   ⁽³⁾Revelation 20:3,7;  ⁽⁴⁾Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10, 14

Creation

22)

We believe the Genesis account of creation to be actual, literal and historical, with creation to have taken place over a literal six day period of time, and that the entirety of creation is recent in its origin.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9

23)

We believe the cataclysmic flood of Genesis was an actual historical event, was global in its extent and effect, being evidenced by the fossil record.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Genesis 6:13, 17; Genesis 7:4, 10-12, 19-24; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:5-6

Church

24)

We teach that the church is not a building, a religion or a denomination.  The church is made up of whoever believes in Him⁽¹⁾ being born again⁽²⁾ and becoming one of the elect, immediately being placed by the Holy Spirit into the one unified spiritual body in Christ through faith⁽³⁾, with Christ alone as its head⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾John 3:16;  ⁽²⁾John 3:3;  ⁽³⁾Galatians 3:26-28; ⁽⁴⁾Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23

25)

The church is one united spiritual body, the body of Christ, yet with many members⁽¹⁾. Denominationalism, sectarianism, and ecumenicalism are foreign and an abuse to the Scriptural design of the body⁽²⁾; and are evidences of division within the body. The true church is to be like minded⁽³⁾, of one faith⁽⁴⁾, one body⁽⁵⁾, being in genuine biblical fellowship⁽⁶⁾ together under the headship of Christ.

⁽¹⁾Ephesians 2:11--3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27;  ⁽²⁾1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13;  ⁽³⁾1 Peter 3:8; ⁽⁴⁾Ephesians 4:3-6;  ⁽⁵⁾Ephesians 4:3-6;  ⁽⁶⁾Acts 2:42-47

26)

We believe the specific purpose of the church meeting is mutual exhortation⁽¹⁾ and edification⁽²⁾ of the saints; where every believer is to strive for maturation⁽³⁾, functioning in the exercise of his or her spiritual gifts⁽⁴⁾.

⁽¹⁾Hebrews 10:24-25; ⁽²⁾1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:12; ⁽³⁾Ephesians 4:13-15; Hebrews 6:1; ⁽⁴⁾1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:16

27)

We believe that each local gathering of the visible church is to be led and served by a plurality of men called elders, each of whom must meet the requirements for church leadership⁽¹⁾.

⁽¹⁾ 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4

28)

We deny that someone can be called by God to such leadership when his life or family is not in order.  Seminary training, long experience, and gifts of leadership or communication are no substitute for obedience.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾1 Samuel 15:22-23; Proverbs 1:28; Isaiah 1:10-17; Jeremiah 11:7-14; Romans 6:16-18; 1 Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:5-9; Titus 1:10-16; James 4:1-17

29)

We believe that the gifts of leadership within the body are functional, and are not positional or hierarchical.  All authority given to man, to lead within the body of Christ, comes only from the Word of God, as taught by the Word of God.  Man has no authority within the church except that authorized by God.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Matthew 20:25-28; Matthew 23:10-12; Mark 9:35; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; 1 Peter 5:1-3

Separation

30)

We believe that Scripture clearly mandates separation from sin⁽¹⁾, and that Scripture clearly teaches that heresy, apostasy and worldliness will increase⁽²⁾ through the last day⁽³⁾ (last hour); the last days being from the time of  Christ's first coming⁽⁴⁾ to that of His second coming⁽⁵⁾.

⁽¹⁾Matthew 25:32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 4:17-19, 25, 29-32, 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:5; Hebrews 7:26; Revelation 18:4; ⁽²⁾Romans 13:11; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Philippians 3:19; 1 John 2:18; ⁽³⁾ Matthew 24:36-39; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 4:1-2; 2 Peter 3:3-4; ⁽⁴⁾ Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 9:26; ⁽⁵⁾ Matthew 24:3; Matthew 28:20; Revelation 19:11-16

31)

We believe the Scriptures clearly teach and warn that the greatest dangers of heresy(factions)⁽¹⁾, apostasy⁽²⁾ and worldliness⁽³⁾ will come from within (not externally); secretly infiltrating, and will grow and are growing in rank within the assembly of the church⁽⁴⁾, being manifested as the body of Christ⁽⁵⁾.

⁽¹⁾2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 11:19; Galatians 5:20; Titus 3:10; ⁽²⁾ 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; Acts 28:25-27; ⁽³⁾John 7:7; James 1:27;  Colossians 2:8; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 4:5; 1 John 5:19; Jude 10-13, 16-19; ⁽⁴⁾Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; Galatians 2:4; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 7; Jude 4; ⁽⁵⁾2 Timothy 4:2-3

32)

We believe that members of the body of Christ are to separate unto the Lord Christ Jesus⁽¹⁾, living a life that reflects our genuine love⁽²⁾, devotion⁽³⁾ and obedience⁽⁴⁾ to our God.  We are to do this by self examination⁽⁵⁾ through Scripture examination⁽⁶⁾  and study⁽⁷⁾.

⁽¹⁾Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10; Ephesians 4:1; ⁽²⁾Mark 12:30; ⁽³⁾John 4:22-24; 1 Chronicles 16:29-30; ⁽⁴⁾John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-5; Romans 6:16-18; ⁽⁵⁾2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Corinthians 11:28; ⁽⁶⁾Acts 17:11; ⁽⁷⁾2 Timothy 3:15-17

33)

Separation from any association with religious apostasy, worldliness, and sinful practice is commanded by God for each member of His church.⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾Matthew 7:6; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 5:6-12; Titus 2:12; Titus 3:10-11; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11

Persecution

34)

We believe the genuine members of His church, those truly born again, will be distinguished in nature and character from those that are not His, being a peculiar people, chosen for God's own possession⁽¹⁾.  His people, those who abide in Him, ought to walk as He walked⁽²⁾; and He always does the things that are pleasing to Him⁽³⁾ (God the Father).

⁽¹⁾Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9; ⁽²⁾1 John 2:6; ⁽³⁾John 8:29

35)

We believe being distinguished in nature and character, genuinely abiding in Him in faith and practice, the believer will be persecuted⁽¹⁾ and hated⁽²⁾.  For Christ came to grant division on earth⁽³⁾, being also evidenced among family members⁽⁴⁾, separating His chosen for His own possession⁽⁵⁾.

⁽¹⁾Matthew 5:10-11; John 15:20; Galatians 4:29; 2 Timothy 3:12; ⁽²⁾Luke 6:22; Luke 21:16-17; John 15:18-19; ⁽³⁾Matthew 10:34; Luke 12:51; ⁽⁴⁾Matthew 10:35-37; Luke 12:52-53; ⁽⁵⁾Exodus 34:12; John 3:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 1:6; John 8:12; John 12:46; Luke 6:24-26

36)

We believe that while being separate, we are to forgive⁽¹⁾, love and pray for those those that persecute, hate and mistreat those of biblical faith and practice⁽²⁾.

⁽¹⁾Matthew 6:12-14; ⁽²⁾Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 23:34

Understanding Statements:

Regarding Faith, Practice and/or Conduct

Creeds, statements of faith, doctrinal statements, confessions of faith, catechisms, etc., of various individuals, groups, denominations or religions must be placed and kept in proper perspective. To do so we must keep before us several important points:

A. These professions are never to be taken and held as Scripture.

B. They are to be examined for scriptural accuracy by the revealing light of God’s word as are any teachings regarding faith, practice or conduct.

C. None are inspired works of God through revelation. Such professions are nothing more than an individual’s or group’s understanding (right or wrong) regarding faith, practice or conduct given in the Scriptures . . . regardless of tradition that may be applied to them by man.

Creeds, statements of faith, doctrinal statements, confessions of faith, catechisms, etc., are beneficial in that they are likely indicators that reveal the spiritual foundation and spiritual condition of those with such statements. Give them due consideration whenever they are available.