Our Core Doctrines
The following is compressed version of our full statement of faith which can be read here.
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men controlled by the Holy Spirit; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its 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 shall be tried.
The True 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; and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person who is 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 judgment, and of righteousness; 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, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification has a two-fold meaning: the setting apart of things, days, or persons specifically for God and that the believer at the time of his regeneration is so set apart by God the Father; the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God, experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory over the old nature, which work will be completed when the believer stands in Christ’s presence.
The Devil or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but that through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions and the chief power behind the present apostasy, the Lord of the Anti-Christ, and the author of all powers of darkness -- destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s OWN image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and begetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.”
All human life is sacred from fertilization throughout the human life continuum. We believe that human beings are created in the image of God and, as such, are to be protected. We believe the weak, vulnerable, infirm, handicapped, pre-born, and needy deserve our respect and our care. Therefore, we oppose those practices, policies, or procedures which undermine or deny the God-given right to life of every human being. We reject the notion that there are some lives not worthy of living, and therefore embrace the belief that we should graciously receive and protect all human life God gives. This means we will give ourselves to providing Biblical, caring ministries to women with unwelcome pregnancies, the mentally and physically disabled, the elderly, and the terminally ill.
The Fall of Man
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, not by constraint, but by choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Savior.
Grace in the New Creation
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 in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and 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 and faith and newness of life.
The Freeness of Salvation
We believe that unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from any human merit; Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only Lord and all-sufficient Savior.
The Church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by a 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 Scripturally designated 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 found in the great commission: First the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men, winning the lost, as we have opportunity; Second, to baptize those born again; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from 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 every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is the believer’s immersion in water; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that in Scriptural order it (baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.; the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of the bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus, “Who spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all,” that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination.
The Grace of Giving
We believe that Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Christian Faith; that it is to be done regularly and proportionately; that we are under grace in the fellowship of giving; that it is part of our worship; and that the local church is the proper repository for offerings; it is required of stewards to be faithful.
The Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
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, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; that all who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
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 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.
The Resurrection, Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value:
- The Bodily Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The High Priesthood
- The Second Coming
The return of Christ includes both the rapture of the church and His return in glory. The first is for His church which is personal, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial and may occur at any moment. The second is His return to earth to establish His righteous reign over the earth. This coming is visible, personal, pre-millennial and in power and great glory.
The Christian’s Privilege
We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to be a personal soul-winner and to do His utmost to give the Gospel of Christ to the whole world.
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men controlled by the Holy Spirit; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its 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 shall be tried.
- By “THE HOLY BIBLE" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not contain and convey 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 supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been, or ever will be, inspired.
The True 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; and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person who is 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 judgment, and of righteousness; 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, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification has a two-fold meaning: the setting apart of things, days, or persons specifically for God and that the believer at the time of his regeneration is so set apart by God the Father; the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God, experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory over the old nature, which work will be completed when the believer stands in Christ’s presence.
The Devil or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but that through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions and the chief power behind the present apostasy, the Lord of the Anti-Christ, and the author of all powers of darkness -- destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s OWN image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and begetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.”
All human life is sacred from fertilization throughout the human life continuum. We believe that human beings are created in the image of God and, as such, are to be protected. We believe the weak, vulnerable, infirm, handicapped, pre-born, and needy deserve our respect and our care. Therefore, we oppose those practices, policies, or procedures which undermine or deny the God-given right to life of every human being. We reject the notion that there are some lives not worthy of living, and therefore embrace the belief that we should graciously receive and protect all human life God gives. This means we will give ourselves to providing Biblical, caring ministries to women with unwelcome pregnancies, the mentally and physically disabled, the elderly, and the terminally ill.
The Fall of Man
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, not by constraint, but by choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Savior.
Grace in the New Creation
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 in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and 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 and faith and newness of life.
The Freeness of Salvation
We believe that unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from any human merit; Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only Lord and all-sufficient Savior.
The Church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by a 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 Scripturally designated 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 found in the great commission: First the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men, winning the lost, as we have opportunity; Second, to baptize those born again; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from 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 every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is the believer’s immersion in water; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that in Scriptural order it (baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.; the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of the bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus, “Who spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all,” that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination.
The Grace of Giving
We believe that Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Christian Faith; that it is to be done regularly and proportionately; that we are under grace in the fellowship of giving; that it is part of our worship; and that the local church is the proper repository for offerings; it is required of stewards to be faithful.
The Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
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, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; that all who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
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 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.
The Resurrection, Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value:
- The Bodily Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The High Priesthood
- The Second Coming
The return of Christ includes both the rapture of the church and His return in glory. The first is for His church which is personal, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial and may occur at any moment. The second is His return to earth to establish His righteous reign over the earth. This coming is visible, personal, pre-millennial and in power and great glory.
The Christian’s Privilege
We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to be a personal soul-winner and to do His utmost to give the Gospel of Christ to the whole world.