Statement of Faith

The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17), fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts (Psalm 19:7-8), written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit(2 Peter 1:20-21), and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct (John 17:17).

The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4) eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption
(Matthew 28:19).

God the Father

We believe in God, the Father, Creator of Heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1-2). We believe He is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness (Isaiah 6:3), wisdom, power and love (Romans 11:33). We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men (Isaiah 57:15), that He hears and answers prayer (Psalm 3:4), and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4-14).

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16), conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). We believe in His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23), sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), miracles and teachings (Gospels). We believe in His propitiatory death (Romans 3:25), bodily resurrection (John 20:27-28), ascension into Heaven (Acts 1:9), perpetual intercession for His people (Hebrews 2:17) and personal, visible return to earth (Revelation 22:20).

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son (John 14:26) to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ (John 7-15). We believe that the Holy Spirit in-dwells in every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Regeneration

We believe that all men are sinners by nature (Ephesians 2:3) and by choice (Romans 1:24) and are, therefore, under condemnation (Romans 1:18). We believe that those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior (1 Corinthians 12:3).

The Church

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members (Colossians 1:18). We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:1-11), baptized on a credible profession of faith (Matthew 28:18-20), and associated for worship, work and fellowship (Acts 2:42-47). We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world (Habakkuk 2:14).

Christian Conduct

We believe that a Christian should live first for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) and then for the well-being of his fellowmen (James 2:14-20): that his conduct should be blameless before the world (Colossians 4:5); that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions (Colossians 3:17); and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ (Philippians 3:12-21).

The Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to believers in the local church.  They are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Baptism symbolizes repentance, spiritual cleansing and one’s identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). This is enacted by the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Religious Liberty

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority (Romans 14:4); that, therefore, Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other (Luke 20:25).

Church Cooperation

We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization (1 Corinthians 1:10). Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may like-wise cooperate with inter-denominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

The Last Things