STATEMENT OF FAITH
Section 1 - THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is God's Word given to man and is truth. The Bible is the product of verbal, plenary inspiration, and is eternal, inerrant, infallible, authoritative, and complete in all 66 books of the canon equally. We believe the Bible is preserved by God throughout all ages . Therefore, it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Isaiah 8:20; Psalm 12:6,7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:21; John 17:17
Section 2 - THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, eternal and unchanging, the Creator 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
Ghost, equal in every divine attribute, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:2,3; Psalm 90:2; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:8,11; 1 John 5:7.
Section 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 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 seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. We believe that the sign/revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit have fulfilled their purpose and are not applicable to the work of the Holy Spirit today. John 14:16, 17, 26; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1 3; John 16:8 11; Acts 5:30 32; John 3:5, 6; Eph. 1:13, 14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:9, 14, 16, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12; 13:8-10; 14; Heb. 2:2-4.
Section 4 - CHRIST
The Person and Work of Christ. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal, sinless Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8.
We believe that only the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Acts 2:18-36; Acts 4:12; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
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. Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2.
Section 5 - ANGELS
We believe that holy angels are an innumerable host of created beings which are ministering spirits sent by God to minister to the heirs of Salvation and to Christ. They are created higher, more powerful, and more wise than man but are limited. They do not marry, are not to be worshiped, but do have rank. Heb. 12:22; Psalm 148:2-5; Col.1:16; Heb. 1:13, 14; Psalm 34:7; Heb. 2:7; 2 Peter 2:11; 2 Sam14:20; Dan. 10:21; Matt. 4:11; Matt. 22:29-30; Rev 22:8,9; Eph. 1:21, 3:10; Dan. 10:13, 21.
We believe that Satan was of the highest order of angel and was created beautiful. He led a rebellion against God and will be destroyed. In that rebellion he took one third of the angels with him that we know as demons. Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; Rev. 12:4; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41
Section 6 - CREATION
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate, creative acts of God and not from previously existing elements or forms of life, exnihilo - out of nothing, and that all mankind are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human
race. Genesis, chapters 1 and 2; Col. 1:16 17; John 1:3.
Section 7 - MAN
We believe that God created man in His own image to walk with Him and to have fellowship with Him. Man was created from the dust of the ground, was given life by God, and was holy in nature. God gave man the dominion over the earth and all other creatures. Woman was created out of man=s side by God to be a help meet for man.
By voluntary transgression, man fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Gen. 3:1 6, 24; Rom. 5:10 19; Rom. 1:18; Rom.1:32.
Section 8 - SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, and honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying Himself to be our Savior;
that by the shedding of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice 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 the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Savior.
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith. Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14 17; Isaiah 53:4 7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.
Section 9 - GRACE AND THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in 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 by our sovereign God 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. John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20 33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8.
Section 10 - JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any work of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's shed blood. Romans 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9.
Section 11 -SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner: first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior; second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord's return. Hebrews 10:10 14; 3:1; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25 27; Philippians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24, 25; Revelation 22:11.
Section 12 - THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVERS
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. John 6:37; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28, 29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Romans 8:35 39; Jude 1.
Section 13 - THE CHURCH
We believe that a local church is an organized 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 its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications,
claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe 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; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate 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; that on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. 1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:17 28; 1 Tim. 3:1 16; Acts 2:41, 42.
We believe in the unity of all New Testament believers in the Church, which is the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:1 6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13 18.
Section 14 - BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is to be performed under the authority of the local church; and that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.
We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He come, and should be preceded always by solemn self examination. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is Baptism first and then the Lord's Supper, and that participants in the Lord's Supper should be immersed believers. Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3 5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23 28; Matthew 28:18 20; Acts 2:41, 42.
Section 15 - MISSIONS
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations as well as our own, so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations, and not wait for them to come to us. Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20.
Section 16 - SEPARATION
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate ourselves unto God from worldliness
and ecclesiastical apostasy. 2 Corinthians 6:14 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10; 1 Timothy 6:3 5; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9 11.
Section 17 - 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 in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming King of Kings. Romans 13:1 7; 2 Sam. 23:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17, 18.
Section 18 -ISRAEL
We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God's eternal covenant people, that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ. The Church is not Israel. We
believe that God will bless those who bless Israel. We recognize Israel as a nation and Israel's right to the land.
Genesis 13:14 17; Romans 11:1 32; Ezekiel 37.
Section 19 - RAPTURE AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We believe in the premillennial return of Christ, an event which can occur at any moment, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death, and all shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of the Tribulation.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; 1 Corinthians 15:42 44, 51 54; Philippians 3:20, 21; Revelation 3:10.
We believe that the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture of the Church, will be culminated by the revelation of Christ in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish the millennial kingdom. Daniel 9:25 27; Matthew 24:29 31; Luke 1:30 33; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1 9; Acts 2:29, 30; Revelation 20:1 4,6.
Section 20 - 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 are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in hell and in the lake of fire. Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17, 18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34 41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14, 15.
Section 21 - HUMAN SEXUALITY
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God
disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 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; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23.
Section 22 - FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12.
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps.127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7.
Section 23 - DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. Mal. 2:14-17; Matt.19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.
Section 24 - ABORTION
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or
the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44.
Section 25 - LOVE
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of
violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in them. Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18.
Section 26 - LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or against the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. 1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32.
Section 27 - GIVING
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17.
Section 28 - AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
Section 1 - THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is God's Word given to man and is truth. The Bible is the product of verbal, plenary inspiration, and is eternal, inerrant, infallible, authoritative, and complete in all 66 books of the canon equally. We believe the Bible is preserved by God throughout all ages . Therefore, it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Isaiah 8:20; Psalm 12:6,7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:21; John 17:17
Section 2 - THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, eternal and unchanging, the Creator 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
Ghost, equal in every divine attribute, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:2,3; Psalm 90:2; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:8,11; 1 John 5:7.
Section 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 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 seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. We believe that the sign/revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit have fulfilled their purpose and are not applicable to the work of the Holy Spirit today. John 14:16, 17, 26; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1 3; John 16:8 11; Acts 5:30 32; John 3:5, 6; Eph. 1:13, 14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:9, 14, 16, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12; 13:8-10; 14; Heb. 2:2-4.
Section 4 - CHRIST
The Person and Work of Christ. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal, sinless Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8.
We believe that only the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Acts 2:18-36; Acts 4:12; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
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. Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2.
Section 5 - ANGELS
We believe that holy angels are an innumerable host of created beings which are ministering spirits sent by God to minister to the heirs of Salvation and to Christ. They are created higher, more powerful, and more wise than man but are limited. They do not marry, are not to be worshiped, but do have rank. Heb. 12:22; Psalm 148:2-5; Col.1:16; Heb. 1:13, 14; Psalm 34:7; Heb. 2:7; 2 Peter 2:11; 2 Sam14:20; Dan. 10:21; Matt. 4:11; Matt. 22:29-30; Rev 22:8,9; Eph. 1:21, 3:10; Dan. 10:13, 21.
We believe that Satan was of the highest order of angel and was created beautiful. He led a rebellion against God and will be destroyed. In that rebellion he took one third of the angels with him that we know as demons. Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; Rev. 12:4; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41
Section 6 - CREATION
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate, creative acts of God and not from previously existing elements or forms of life, exnihilo - out of nothing, and that all mankind are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human
race. Genesis, chapters 1 and 2; Col. 1:16 17; John 1:3.
Section 7 - MAN
We believe that God created man in His own image to walk with Him and to have fellowship with Him. Man was created from the dust of the ground, was given life by God, and was holy in nature. God gave man the dominion over the earth and all other creatures. Woman was created out of man=s side by God to be a help meet for man.
By voluntary transgression, man fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Gen. 3:1 6, 24; Rom. 5:10 19; Rom. 1:18; Rom.1:32.
Section 8 - SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, and honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying Himself to be our Savior;
that by the shedding of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice 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 the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Savior.
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith. Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14 17; Isaiah 53:4 7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.
Section 9 - GRACE AND THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in 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 by our sovereign God 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. John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20 33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8.
Section 10 - JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any work of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's shed blood. Romans 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9.
Section 11 -SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner: first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior; second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord's return. Hebrews 10:10 14; 3:1; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25 27; Philippians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24, 25; Revelation 22:11.
Section 12 - THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVERS
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. John 6:37; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28, 29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Romans 8:35 39; Jude 1.
Section 13 - THE CHURCH
We believe that a local church is an organized 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 its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications,
claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe 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; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate 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; that on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. 1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:17 28; 1 Tim. 3:1 16; Acts 2:41, 42.
We believe in the unity of all New Testament believers in the Church, which is the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:1 6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13 18.
Section 14 - BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is to be performed under the authority of the local church; and that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.
We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He come, and should be preceded always by solemn self examination. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is Baptism first and then the Lord's Supper, and that participants in the Lord's Supper should be immersed believers. Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3 5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23 28; Matthew 28:18 20; Acts 2:41, 42.
Section 15 - MISSIONS
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations as well as our own, so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations, and not wait for them to come to us. Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20.
Section 16 - SEPARATION
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate ourselves unto God from worldliness
and ecclesiastical apostasy. 2 Corinthians 6:14 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10; 1 Timothy 6:3 5; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9 11.
Section 17 - 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 in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming King of Kings. Romans 13:1 7; 2 Sam. 23:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17, 18.
Section 18 -ISRAEL
We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God's eternal covenant people, that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ. The Church is not Israel. We
believe that God will bless those who bless Israel. We recognize Israel as a nation and Israel's right to the land.
Genesis 13:14 17; Romans 11:1 32; Ezekiel 37.
Section 19 - RAPTURE AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We believe in the premillennial return of Christ, an event which can occur at any moment, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death, and all shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of the Tribulation.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; 1 Corinthians 15:42 44, 51 54; Philippians 3:20, 21; Revelation 3:10.
We believe that the Tribulation, which follows the Rapture of the Church, will be culminated by the revelation of Christ in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish the millennial kingdom. Daniel 9:25 27; Matthew 24:29 31; Luke 1:30 33; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1 9; Acts 2:29, 30; Revelation 20:1 4,6.
Section 20 - 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 are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in hell and in the lake of fire. Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17, 18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34 41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14, 15.
Section 21 - HUMAN SEXUALITY
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God
disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 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; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23.
Section 22 - FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12.
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps.127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7.
Section 23 - DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. Mal. 2:14-17; Matt.19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.
Section 24 - ABORTION
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or
the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44.
Section 25 - LOVE
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of
violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in them. Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18.
Section 26 - LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or against the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. 1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32.
Section 27 - GIVING
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17.
Section 28 - AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith. 2 Timothy 3:16,17