Statement Of Faith
We believe that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the Old and New Testaments forming the sixty-six (66) books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (lCor. 2:7-14; 2Pet. 1:20-21). The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the Church.
We believe that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (l Cor. 2: 13; lThess. 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2Tim. 3:16), absolutely inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed . We believe the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture (Gen. 1:31; Ex. 31:17).
We believe that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Ma tt. 5: 18; 24:35 ; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; l Cor. 2:13; 2Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; 2Pet. 1:20-21).
We believe that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2Pet. 1:20, 21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matt. 5:18; 2Tim. 3:16).
We believe that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal, grammatical historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7: 17; 16:12-15; 1Cor. 2:7-15; IJohn 2:20).
The Triune God – We believe that there is but one living and true God (Deut. 6:4; Is. 45:5-7; lCor. 8:4), an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2Cor. 13:14)–each equally deserving worship and obedience.
God the Father
We believe that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Ps. 145:8-9; l Cor. 8:6).
We believe He is the Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1-31; Eph. 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Ps. 103:19; Rom. 11:36).
We believe His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind . As Creator He is Father to all men (Eph. 4:6), but He is Spiritual Father only to believers (Rom. 8:14; 2Cor. 6:18).
We believe He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Eph. 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (lChr. 29: 11).
We believe in His sovereignty, He is neither author nor approver of sin (Hab. 1:13), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (!Pet. 1:17).
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine Excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9). That God the Father created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operations (John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. I :2).
We believe that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-man (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9).
We believe that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9, 10; Col. 2:9).
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23-25; Luke 1:26-35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom (Ps. 2:7-9; Is. 9:6; John 1:29; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 7:25, 26; !Pet. 1:18-21).
We believe that, in the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity, God the Son, laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Phil. 2:5-8).
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:8; lPet. 2:24).
We believe that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day in Heaven the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Rom. 3:25; 5:8-9; 2Cor. 5:14-15; 1Pet. 2:24; 3:18).
We believe that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High-Priest (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Rom. 4:25; 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; lJohn 2:1).
We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Rom. 4:25; 6:5-10; lCor. 15:20-23).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind (John 5:22-23):
Believers (l Cor. 3:10-15; 2Cor. 5:10)
Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matt. 25:31-46) and Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15)
As the mediator between God and man (!Tim. 2:5), the head of His body the Church (Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18), and the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David (Is. 9:6-7; Ezek. 37: 24- 28; Luke 1:31-33), He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matt. 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect (I Cor. 2: 10-13), emotions (Eph. 4:30), will (1Cor. 12:11), eternality (Heb. 9:14), omnipresence (Ps. 139:7-10), omniscience (Is.40:13-14), omnipotence (Rom. 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1Cor. 12:4-6; 2Cor. 13:14; and Jer. 31:31-34 with Heb. 10:15-17).
We believe that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in, the incarnation (Matt. 1:18), creation (Gen. 1,2), the written revelation (2Pet. 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7). He is the giver of all life.
We believe that a unique work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the body of Christ. His activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ and that He bears witness of the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Rom. 8:29; 2Cor. 3:18; Eph. 2:22; 2Thess. 2:7).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (l Cor. 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Rom. 8:9-11; 2Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation, the Bible (2Pet. 1:19-21).
We believe every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (Rom. 8:9-11; Eph. 5:18; lJohn 2:20, 27).
We believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the Church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; lCor. 12:4-11; 2Cor. 3:18).
We believe, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the Church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (lCor. 12:4-11; 13:8-1O; 2Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7- 12; Heb. 2:1-4).
We believe in the Genesis six-day 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; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind” (Gen. 1, 2; Ex. 20 :11).
Creation of Man
We believe that God directly and immediately created man in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God (Gen. 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9).
We believe that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Is. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
We believe that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became totally depraved and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; lCor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; lTim. 2:13-14; !John 1:8).
We believe that because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Ps. 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12).
Salvation of Man
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Eph. 1:4-7; 2:8-10; lPet. 1:18-21).
We believe that in God’s sovereign grace the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and 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 (Is. 55:l; Matt. 11:28; John 3:15-18,36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:29-30; 10:13; lCor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; Col. 3:12; lThess. 1:4; !Tim. 1:15; Titus 1:l; !Pet. 1:2; Rev. 22: 17).
We believe that God’s sovereign grace in salvation is the act of God by which, .based upon His foreknowledge, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates , saves, justifies , sanctifies and glorifies (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:1-7; 2Thess. 2:13; 2Tim. 2:10; lPet. 1:1-2, 18-21).
We believe that God’s sovereign grace does not contradict or negate the free will and responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezek. 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; Rev. 22: 17). All whom the Father calls to Him will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8). The unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Eph. 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; lPet. 1:2).
We believe that God’s sovereign grace in salvation should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His foreknowledge, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Rom. 9: 11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:25-28; 2Tim. 1 :9).
Regeneration of Man
We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (lCor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:17-21; Phil. 2:12; Col. 3:12-17; 2Pet. 1:4-11). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2Cor. 3:18). Such conformity is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Rom. 8:16-17; 2Pet. 1:4; lJn 3:2-3)
Justification of the Believer
We believe that justification before God is an act of God (Rom. 8:30, 33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Is. 55:6-7; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2Cor. 7:10) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; 1Cor. 12:3; 2Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Rom. 3:20; 4:6) and involves the placing of our sins on Christ (Col. 2:14; IPet. 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1Cor. 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2Cor. 5 :21). By this means God is enabled to be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26).
Sanctification of the Believer
We believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; lCor. 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2Thess. 2:13; Heb. 2:11; 3:1; 10:10-14; 13:12; lPet. 1:2).
We believe that there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a continuing sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the likeness of Christ through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Rom. 6: 1-22; 2Cor. 3:18; lThess. 4:3-4; 5:23). In this respect, we believe that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict–the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh–but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended until he enters the heavenly state. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Gal. 5: 16- 25; Eph. 4:22-24; Phil. 3: 12; Col. 3:9-10; lPet. 1:14-16; lJohn 3:5-9).
Security of the Believer
We believe that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God’s power, and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; lCor. 1:4-9; Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30; Heb. 7:25; 13:5; !Pet. 1:4-5; Jude 1:24).
We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an excuse for sinful living and carnality (Rom. 6:15-22; 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13-26; Titus 2:11-14).
Separation of the Believer
We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures teach that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2Tim. 3:1-5).
We believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also believe that separation from any association with religious apostasy, and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Rom. 12:1-2; lCor. 5:9-13; 2Cor. 6: 14 – 7:1; lJohn 2:15-17; 2John 9-11).
We believe that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2Thess. 1:11-12; Heb. 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness demonstrated by a beatitude attitude (Matt. 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Rom. 12:1-2; 2Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1John 3:1-10).
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one, legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union, as delineated by Scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility owned, leased or rented by this church will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman as their genders were determined at birth. Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s statement of faith, doctrines and biblical positions will govern. (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22–23; Mark 10:6–9; 1 Cor. 7:1–9)
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are sinful perversions of and contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5; Lev. 18:1–30; Rom. 1: 26–29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9–10; 1 Thess. 4:1–8; Heb. 13:4)
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; lTim. 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 a 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; l Cor. 7: 1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; lPet. 3:1-7).
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses die. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication or the abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. Divorced or divorced and remarried persons may not be considered for the offices of Pastor or Deacon (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom.7:1-3; lCor. 7:15; lTim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).
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 wellbeing 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).
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 such sinful actions (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; 2Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; lJohn 3:17-18).
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the Church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the Church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (lCor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
We believe that the local church, which is the body of Christ, is solely made up of born-again, baptized, believers. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27)
We believe that the establishment and continuity of local Churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; lCor. 11:18- 20, 12:12-14; 2Cor. 11:2; Gal. 1:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27; Phil. 1:1; 1Thess. l:1; 2Thess. l :l; Heb. 10:25).
We believe that the one supreme authority for the Church is Christ (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) and that leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship in the Church are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are Pastors (males, who are also called bishops, elders, and Pastor-teachers; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11) and Deacons, both of who must meet biblical qualifications (1Tim. 3: 1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).
We believe that these leaders rule by leading as servants of Christ (1Tim. 5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the Church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17). We believe the importance of discipleship (Matt. 28: 19-20; 2Tim. 2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matt. 18:15-17), as well as the need to discipline sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matt. 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; lCor. 5:1-13; 2Thess. 3:6-15; lTim. 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16).
We believe the autonomy of the local Church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5) and that it is scriptural for true Churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Local Churches, however, through their Pastors and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judges of the measure and method of their cooperation (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; lCor. 5:4-7, 13; lPet. 5:1-4).
We believe that the purpose of the Church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph. 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship and prayer (Acts 2:47; 1John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8) and that all saints are called to the work of service (lCor. 15:58; Eph. 4:12; Rev. 22:12).
We believe the need of the Church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the Church spiritual gifts. He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:7-12) and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:5-8; lCor. 12:4-31; lPet. 4:10-11).
We believe that there were two kinds of gifts given to the early Church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles’ message (2Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:3-4); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (lCor. 13:8-12). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers (Matt. 24:24). The only gifts in operation today are those non-revelatory equipping gifts given for edification (Rom. 12:6-8).
We believe that no one possesses the gift of healing today but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1-8; John 5:7-9; 2Cor. 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; lJohn 5:14-15).
We believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local Church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion in water of a believer with the authority of the local Church (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Rom. 6: 1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ through the local Church (Acts 2:41, 42; 18:18) and is a prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation and to partaking of the Lord’s Supper with the local Church body.
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, in which members of the local Church are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ until He comes, should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (l Cor. 11:23-32) and that the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ ( lCor. 10:16).
We believe that God has given the Church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations 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 proclaim the Gospel 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; I Cor. 5:20).
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 and that tithes and offerings should be brought into the storehouse (common treasury of the Church) upon the first day of the week (2Cor. 8:7; lCor. 16:2; Matt. 23:23; Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10; Acts 4:34-37).
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: (1) the home (2) the Church and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the Church and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; lPet. 2: 13-14).
Holy Angels
We believe that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Heb. 1:6, 7, 14; 2:6-7; Rev. 5:11-14).
Fallen Angels
We believe that Satan is a created, fallen angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Is. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28: 11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by tempting Eve (Gen. 3:1- 15).
Satan
We believe that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Is. 14:13-14; Matt. 4:1-11; Rev. 12:9-10), the prince of this world who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 16:20) and that he and his fallen angels shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Is. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
Death
We believe that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness (Rev.6:9-11), that there is a separation of soul and body (James 2:26), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; 2Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23), and that, for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 13-17) which initiates the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (lCor. 15:35-44, 50-54; Phil. 3:21). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed remain in conscious bliss with our Lord Jesus Christ (2Cor. 5:8).
We believe the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Rom. 8:10-11, 19-23; 2Cor. 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Dan. 12:2; John 5:29; Rev. 20:13-15).
We believe that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Rev. 20:13-15), when the soul and the body will be reunited (John 5:28-29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20: 11-15) and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41-46), not to be annihilated but cut off from the life of God forever and suffer everlasting, conscious punishment and torment (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:41-46; 2Thess. 1:7-9).
The Rapture of the Church
We believe in that “blessed hope”, the personal, imminent, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation (1Thess. 4: 16) to translate His Church from this earth (John 14:1-3; lCor. 15:51-53; 1Thess. 4:15 – 5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works (lCor. 3:11-15; 2Cor. 5:10).
The Tribulation Period
We believe that immediately following the removal of the Church from the earth (John 14:1-3; lThess. 4: 13-18) the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; 12: 1;2Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 16), and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matt. 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2Thess. 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Dan. 12:2-3; Rev. 20:4-6) . This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27; Matt. 24:15-31; 25:31-46).
The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign
We believe that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David (Matt. 25:31; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:10, 11; 2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on the earth (Rev. 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth (Ezek. 37:21-28; Dan. 7:17-22; Rev. 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world (Dan. 7:17-27; Rev. 20:1-6).
We believe that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel {ls. 65:17-25; Ezek. 37:21-28; Zech. 8: 1-17) to restore them to the land, which they forfeited through their disobedience (Deut. 28:15- 68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matt. 21:43; Rom. 11: 1-26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-32; Rom. 11:25-29).
We believe that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice , peace, righteousness, and long life (Is. 11; 65:17-25; Ezek. 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Rev. 20:7).
The Judgment of the Lost
We believe that following the release of Satan after the thousand year reign of Christ (Rev. 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Rev. 20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne judgment.
We believe that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection , whereupon receiving their judgment (John 5:28-29), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15).
Eternity
We believe that after the closing of the Millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2Pet. 3:10) and replaced with a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Eph. 5:5; Rev. 20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Rev. 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Rev. 21, 22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1Car. 15:23-28) that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (lCor. 15:28).