Declaration of Faith
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired of God and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore it is truth without admixture of error for its matter. We believe that it is supernaturally preserved; and that it is the true center of Christian union and the only infallible rule for all human conduct, creeds and opinions (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1: 19-21).
The True God
We believe that there is only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent, eternal 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 (Exodus 20:2, 3; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem men (John 1:1, 2, 14; Luke 1:25-38; Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 5:20).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (I Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 27:27-50).
We believe that our 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 Intercessor and Advocate; and that He will come again in keeping with His promises (Acts 1:9-1 I; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2: I; John 14:2, 3).
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 creation, that in His revelation 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; and that He seals, baptizes, empowers, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, fills and helps the believer, indwelling every true child of God (John 14:16, 17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-1 1).
We believe that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than speaking in tongues or other spectacular demonstrations which are not for this age (Galatians 5:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 13).
The Angelic Realm
We believe that God created an innumerable company of sinless spirit beings known as angels; that many of these continued in their holy state and are the ministers of God; that they are a glorious company who worship God, excel in strength and execute His will as ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who are the heirs of salvation, guiding, guarding and defending them; and that they will accompany Christ at His return and at the punishment of the wicked (Colossians 1:16; Psalm 103:20; Hebrews 1: 14; Psalm 9 1:1 1; 2 Kings 6:17; Luke 16:22; Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).
We believe that Lucifer, now known as Satan or the Devil, was created in holiness, but, through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels, becoming the enemy of God; that he is now the prince of the power of the air, the unholy god of this age, the ruler of all the powers of darkness, man’s greatest tempter and the accuser of the saints; that these fallen angels, though defeated in the cross of Christ, still continue to oppose God and His work; and that they will ultimately be judged by God and cast into the lake of fire to suffer everlasting punishment, which is their righteous due (Hebrews 1:4; 12:22; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4: Ephesians 6:11, 12; Revelation 20:10).
Creation
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, “each after its own kind,” by an immediate creative act and not by the process of evolution. We believe that the days of creation were solar days (Genesis 1, 2; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2).
We believe that God created both male and female in His image and after His likeness, and that He designed gender distinctions between men and women, including the Biblically-defined and distinctive roles of husband and wife. Since gender distinctions are rooted in divine order, changing or disguising one’s inherited biological sex (and correlated gender) reflective of this order transgresses God’s design. We believe in the sanctity of life of all human persons, including the unborn, ailing, and aging. (Gen. 1:26-27; Psa. 139:13-16)
The Fall of Man
We believe that man, in the person of the first Adam, was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell into sin, thus plunging the whole race into condemnation and death, so that now all mankind are born in sin and are become practical sinners with the first expression of personal choice (not by constraint, but by choice) and so are without excuse before God (Genesis 3; Romans 1: 1 8-23; 5:10-19).
Salvation
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 came in the likeness of sinful flesh, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death and shed blood made a full and vicarious propitiation for our sins; that His propitiation consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a Martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust; Christ, our Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the cross; and that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be the suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior (Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:1 1; Romans 3:24-26; 8:3; John 3:16; Matthew IS: I 1; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4- 7; 1 John 4:1 0; I Corinthians 15:1 – 4; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation; that the new birth is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life; and that His righteousness is imputed to us, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood (Romans 8.1; Acts 16:31; John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17- 1 9; Colossians 2:13).
We believe that all who take Christ as Saviour are born from above and are eternally secure in Christ (John 10:28, 29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6).
The Church
We believe that the Church universal is a New Testament institution, unknown to the Old Testament prophets; established by Jesus Christ, who is its sole Head, revealed through the apostles, and empowered and perpetuated by the Holy Spirit; His “body” for service, and His “bride” for glory. It began with the New Testament saints at Pentecost and will be consummated at the coming of Christ in the pre-tribulation Rapture (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 41-47; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:23-32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We believe that the local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that it is governed by a democratic, congregational government; that its officers are Pastors and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.
We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only Superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that in all matters, the will of the local church is final (Acts 2:41, 42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4-.1 1; Acts 20-.17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Colossians 1:8; Ephesians 5-.23, 24; Acts 15).
The Ordinances
We believe that there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water, and is properly called, “Believer’s Baptism.” It sets forth in a beautiful and solemn way our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effects in our lives of death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church relation. The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death until He comes, and is an evidence of our continual fellowship with Him. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is Baptism first and then the Lord’s Supper; and that the participants in the Lord’s Supper should be immersed believers who have carefully examined themselves (Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32).
Separation
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of separation, which encompasses the separation of the local church from all affiliation, fellowship, and cooperation with those who deny the true Christian faith; and the separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices that would dishonor the Savior. We believe that the church should refuse to be drawn into compromising alliances, even with well-meaning evangelical people, whereby our testimony would be impaired and our position confused. Specifically, we reject the concept that our church should cooperate with unbelievers and apostate churches, even if by so doing beneficial results may seem to be produced (Romans 16:17-19; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Timothy 3:5; Ephesians 5:11; 2 John 9-11).
The Christian Home
We believe that marriage is ordained of God for mankind’s welfare happiness; that the institution of marriage is honored by the Lord Jesus Christ; that marriage can only be the covenant union of one man and one woman, that the marriage bed is honorable; and that, for the believer, marriage is to be “in the Lord” and only to another believer. God’s order of authority in the Christian family is Christ, the Head, followed by the husband, then the wife, and, finally, the children (Genesis 1:28, 2:18, 23, 24; John 2:1 -1 1; Hebrews 13:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:21-28; 6:4).
We believe it is totally against the command and teaching of the Word of God to in any way change or pervert this order; that homosexuality, lesbianism, or any other sexual relationship outside of marriage is contrary to the Word of God. We do not accept these as alternate lifestyles, nor do we recognize so-called “same sex marriage” as marriage (Romans 1:18-32).
We believe that from the beginning, God never intended for man and wife to either be separated or divorced. The Lord, speaking through Paul, instructed the wife not to leave her husband and the husband not to put away his wife. We believe then, that divorce, or divorce and remarriage, is contrary to God’s perfect will (Matthew 19:6; 1 Corinthians 7:10,11).
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth; and that civil rulers have no rights of control over, or of interference with, religious matters (Romans 13:1-7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Numbers 11:16, 17; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:17-32; 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17, 18).
Things to Come
We believe in the bodily, personal, and pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ; that He will come before the seven-year tribulation period to catch away His Church, coming only into the air; and that He will come with His Church at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and to set up His Kingdom (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11-21).
We believe that the dead in Christ are absent from the body and present with the Lord, and that in the resurrection the bodies of believers who sleep in Jesus will be raised at the coming of Christ for His Church and caught up with transformed, living saints to meet the Lord in the air; and that the wicked dead will be raised at the close of the Millennial Kingdom, and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their final doom to be forever separated from God in conscious suffering in the lake of fire (John 5:21-30; 1 Thessalonians 4-16; Revelation 7:9-17; 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:8).
The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those, who through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and that this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost (Malachi 3:18; Romans 6:17-23; Matthew 25:31-41; Luke 6:25; John 8:21; 2 Corinthians 5:8).
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin; to recognize that the meetings for worship, evangelism, and prayer are a solemn obligation as well as a holy privilege for each of us; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossiping, backbiting, and unrighteous anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and the non-medical use of drugs; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the work of the Lord in this age of grace.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; and to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and being mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.