Our Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

         We believe that the Holy Bible was written by supernaturally inspired men; that it is truth without error in its subject matter, and, therefore, is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.  (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:16-21; Acts 3:21; Mt 4:4)

         By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, that not only contains and conveys the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.

        By "Inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were verbally (the very words, not just ideas), and plenarily (completely) inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. (2 Pet 1:20-21) We believe that the Word of God has been preserved in the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and the Textus Receptus of the New Testament from which our English King James Bible has been translated.  (Ps 12:6-7; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Ps 19:7-11, 119:89, 105, 160; Prov 30:5-6; Jn 5:39, 12:48, 17:17; Eph 6:17)

       The English language version which this Church uses in all services for preaching, teaching, counseling, and is recommended for all our members to obtain and use is the “King James Bible.”

       We believe that the Bible is the complete and sole revelation of God to man and that all modern pretence of new revelation through tongues, prophecy, dreams, knowledge, visions, special people, angels, churches, or any other means is not Scriptural.  (Ps 119:89; Prov 30:6; Rev 22:18-19; Deut 18:20; Jer 23:28-36)

       We follow a historical-grammatical (literal) interpretation of the Scriptures. We believe in the Genesis account of Creation, and that the days of Creation were literal twenty-four hour days. We believe every other historical event, as recorded in Scripture, including the world-wide universal flood. We reject evolution and other such attempts to discredit and explain away the clear statements of Scripture.

       We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of a Biblical marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We refuse to accept these and any other form of perversion of God’s plan for the family as set forth from the creation of Adam and Eve. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; 19:5-13: 26:6-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:18-29; I Cor. 5:1,6,9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

       We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

The Tri-Unity of God

       We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, 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.  (1 Jn 5:7; Exod 20:2-3; Eph 2:18, 4:6; Jn 4:24, 10:30, 15:26, 17:5; Ps 83:18, 90:2, 147:5; Jer 10:10; Rev 4:11; Rom 11:33; Mark 12:30; Mt 28:19; 1 Cor 2:10-11, 8:6, 12:4-6, ; Acts 5:3-4; Phil 2:5-6)

God the Father

       We believe that God is the eternal, self-existent, personal spirit; He is infinite in knowledge; infinite in wisdom; and infinite in power. He is everywhere; He is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer. We believe that God is absolutely holy, perfect, righteous, loving and just.  (Jn 4:24; Acts 15:18; Gen 1:1; Eph 1:20; 1 Jn 3:20, 4:8-16; James 1:17)

God the Son - Jesus Christ

       We believe in the eternal deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He is equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and of the same nature (Jn 10:30); that He was active in the Creation (Jn 1:3); that He was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary (Mt 1:20), not having a human father, and is true God and true man; that He was sinless, fulfilling all the righteous commandments of the Law; that He is man's only hope of salvation from sin and judgment (Acts 4:12), being the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5), that He was God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16); that He offered Himself a sacrifice unto death; that He was buried; that He rose again on the third day for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-4); that He ascended into Heaven and is now seated on the right hand of God the Father (1 Pet 3:22).

God the Holy Spirit

     We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the Creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He indwells, seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.  (Jn 1:33, 3:5-6, 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 27, 16:8-11, 13; Mt 3:11, 28:19; Heb 9:14; Luke 1:35, 3:16, 24:29; Gen 1:1-3; Acts 5:30-32, 11:16; 2 Thess 2:7, 13; Eph 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; Rom 8:14-16, 26-27; 1 Pet 1:2)

Satan and Fallen Angels

     We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God, and the orchestrator of the systems of the world. He is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.  (Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:12-18; 2 Pet 2:4; Eph 2:2; 1 Pet 5:8; 1 Thess 3:5; Mt 4:1-3; Luke 22:3-4; Rev 12:7-11, 19:11-20, 20:10)

The Creation and Fall of Man

     We believe that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness. (Gen 1:26-27)

     We believe that Adam and Eve were the first two humans and the progenitors of the entire human race. (Gen 3:20)

     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, both by nature and of their own choice; and therefore are under just condemnation without defence or excuse.  (Gen 1-3; Rom 1:18-32, 3:10-19, 5:12, 19; Eph 2:1-3)

Salvation by Grace

     We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God who, by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honoring the divine Law by His personal obedience. His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but in voluntarily substituting Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree.

     We believe that He has risen from the dead and is now enthroned on the right hand of God the Father. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour.  (Eph 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom 3:24-25; Jn 10:18; Mt 18:11; Phil 2:7-8; Heb 2:14, 7:25, 9:12-15, 12:2; Isai 53:4-12; 1 Jn 2:2, 4:10; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 1:4; 1 Pet 2:24, 3:18)

     We believe that the invitation of the Gospel is universal and that whosoever will may come to Christ for salvation (John 3:16). That a person is saved when by faith he accepts Jesus Christ as His personal Saviour (Rom 10:9,10). The believer is kept by the power of God and is eternally secure in Christ (1 Pet 1:5; John 6:37, 10:28 ).

     We believe that the scope of salvation includes: forgiveness of all sins, past, present, and future; a perfect standing before God in Jesus Christ; and the changing of our earthly body to be conformed like unto the body of our Lord at His return for His own (Phi 3:15, 21; 2Cor 5:17).

     We believe that persevering obedience to Christ is the evidence which distinguishes true believers from superficial professors; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.  (Jn 8:31-32, 10:28-29; Col 1:21-23; 1 Jn 2:19; 1 Pet 1:5; Rom 8:35-39)

     We believe that the attitude either of reconciliation or enmity toward God is eternally fixed at death.

     We further believe that there is an appointed day for the judgment of the wicked when they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, there to remain in everlasting conscious punishment and torment.  (Heb 9:27; Rev 20:11-15, 21:8)

The Church

A. Definition

     We believe that a Christian Church is an organized congregation of regenerated persons, baptized by immersion on a profession of faith in Christ; gathering regularly for the purpose of observing the ordinances, worship, instruction, edification, and evangelism; recognizing Christ as the Supreme Head and the Word of God its only and sufficient rule of faith and practice.  (Acts 2:41-42, 6:5-6; 1 Cor 12:4, 8-12)

B. Ordination

     We believe that only pastors and deacons are ordained, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.

     We believe that the titles "pastor," "elder," and "bishop" given in Scriptures refer to different aspects of the same office, commonly referred to as Pastor.  (1 Tim 3:1-13; Eph 4:11; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:5-6, 20:17, 28;  1 Pet 5:1-5; 1 Tim 5:22; 1Thess 5:12)

C. Self-Government

     We believe that the local Church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit. We believe that in all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local Church is final.  (Mt 18:15-20)

D. Fellowship

     We believe that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, and that each Church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation (1 Corinthians 12:5).

     We believe that it is Scriptural for true churches to be separate from all forms of apostasy and heresy.

     We believe that there are many movements which fit under the umbrella of "Christianity" which need to be identified and rejected as opposed to Biblical teaching.

     We reject the ecumenical movement which seeks the organizational unity of all "Christianity" and ultimately all religions because it encourages the emphasis of unity at the expense of true Bible doctrine.

     We reject modernism (theological liberalism) which denies or questions fundamental doctrines of the faith, such as the inerrancy (no errors) of the Scripture, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the Genesis creation account, the judgment of God upon unredeemed humanity, the substitutionary death of Christ, etc.

     We reject neo-orthodoxy which, while affirming the transcendence of God, the finiteness and sinfulness of man, and the necessity of supernatural divine revelation of the truth, seriously departs from orthodoxy, redefines Biblical terminology, accepts the views of destructive higher criticism, denies the inerrancy of the Scriptures as historic revelation, accepts religious experience as the criterion of truth, and abandons other important truths of the Christian faith. We view the Charismatic Movement to be another form of neo-orthodoxy, although far more deceptive in its seeming adherence to Biblical Christianity.

     We reject neo-evangelicalism and other pragmatic approaches which, for the sake of evangelism, cooperate with modernists, liberals, churches and/or organizations which tolerate false doctrine among its members.

     We believe that it is Scriptural for all Bible believing churches to avoid ecclesiastical association with any person who associates with false doctrine or any organization which tolerates false doctrine among its members.  (Eph 5:11; Acts 2:41, 42; 1 Cor 12:4,5; Jude 3-4; 2Cor 6:14-18; Rom 16:17; Gal 1:6-9; 3 Jn 8-11; 2 Thess 3:14-15)

E.         Church Ordinances

1.         Baptism

     We believe that Christian baptism is by immersion of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit in water, under the authority of the local Church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful way our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour. We believe it symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Baptism has no merit in salvation, but is a step of obedience by the saved person.  (Mt 3:6,16, 28:18-20; Acts 2:41, 8:12, 36-39, Col 2:12; Rom 6:3-5)

2.         The Lord’s Supper

     We believe that the bread and fruit of the vine in the Lord's Supper are symbols of the body and blood of Christ and that the Lord’s Supper should be observed as a remembrance of Christ's death till he comes. The Lord’s Supper was without leaven, therefore, we use unleavened bread and pure grape juice (fruit of the vine) in observance of the Lord’s Supper.

     We believe that in no sense is the Lord's Supper a sacrifice or continuation of the sacrifice of Christ or that there is any change in the nature of the elements during their administration. Observance of the Lord's Supper under the authority of the local Church, is for obedient baptized believers only and should be preceded by solemn self-examination.  (Acts 2:41,42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)

Future Events

A.         The Rapture

     We believe and teach that those who are asleep in Christ (deceased believers) and those believers who are alive at His coming, will be translated to meet the Lord Jesus in the air and shall forever be with the Lord. This event, commonly referred to as the Rapture, is imminent (at any moment) and will precede the tribulation period.

(1 Thess 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Rev 4:1-4)

B.         The Tribulation

     We believe and teach that the Rapture will be followed by the fulfilment of Israel's seventieth week (time of "Jacob's Trouble").  It will be a period of judgment on the house of Israel and the World.  Our Lord called the latter half "The Great Tribulation."  This time will be followed by the Lord's Second Coming.  (Jer 30:7; Dan 7:13-14, 9:27; Mt 24:15-29; Rev 6-18)

 C.       The Second Coming

     We believe and teach the pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ at the end of the seven year tribulation period. It will be a visible and bodily return of "this same Jesus" to the earth with His saints for judgment upon the nations. Christ will then institute His Millennial Kingdom here on Earth in fulfilment of the promises made to Israel.  (Acts 1:11; Rev 20:4-7)

D.        Heaven and the Judgment Seat

     We believe that the spirits of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in Heaven; that their works shall be brought before the Judgment Seat of Christ for the determination of their rewards. (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:6-11; 2 Cor 5:8)

E.         Hell, the Great White Throne, and the Lake of Fire

     We believe that the spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately to hell where they are kept in punishment until the final day of judgment, at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, they shall be judged at the Great White Throne and cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting, conscious punishment.  (1 Cor 15:51-55; Dan 12:2; Luke 16:19-31; Rev 20:11-15, 21:8; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Jude 6-7)

Civil Government

     We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to commands of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the Earth. (Gen 9:5-6; Rom 13:7; 2 Sam 23:3; Exod 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Mt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13-14, 17; Phil 2:10-11; )