What We Believe

Section 1: THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error, in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority of all Christian faith and life (Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

Section 2: THE GOD-HEAD
We believe that God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-19; John 1:1, 1:14, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15; Genesis 1:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 1:4-6).

Section 3: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins, according to the Scriptures. Further, He was buried, arose, bodily, from the dead, was seen of many, ascended into Heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:1-14, 14:9; Colossians 1:15; Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:24-25; Luke 24; Hebrews 4:14-16; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 11:15-17, Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15).

Section 4: THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 16:7-15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23; John 7:37-39; John 14:16-20).

Section 5: MAN CREATED AND FALLEN
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:10, 24; Romans 5:12-21; John 3:3; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; John 10:27-29).

Section 6: SALVATION
We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become children of God (Ephesians 1:7, 13, John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 9:22, 26, 27; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Section 7: THE TRUE CHURCH
We believe that the true church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head (Ephesians 1:4-6, 14, 23, Ephesians 5:25, 32, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Section 8: THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church (Acts 2:41-47; Acts 15:22, 41).

Section 9: CHURCH GOVERNMENT
We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church is autonomous, and, as it moves in submission to the active leadership of Christ over His church, it has the God-given prerogative to decide and govern its own affairs (Colossians 1:18; Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 1:20-22).

Section 10: THE ORDINANCES
We believe that the Lord's Supper and Water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the church during this present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:26-39).

Section 11: THE BLESSED HOPE
We believe in the personal and pre-millennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this "Blessed Hope" motivates the believer to redeem the time in service for Christ and admonishes the believer to purity and holiness of life (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:2-3).

Section 12: THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (Matthew 6:20; Revelation 21:1-4; Mark 9:43-44).