The Scriptures
We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of both the Old and New Testament. The Bible, the Word of God, is the full and complete revelation of God’s will for man. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We use only the King James Bible.
*Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Hebrews 1:1-2; Jude 3; Proverbs 30:5-6
God
We believe that there is only one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each with a distinct personality but all of one essence having the same attributes and perfections of God.
*Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 4:24
Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and God the Son, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
*Scripture: John 1:1, 2, 14; Matthew 1:20, 23; Philippians 2:6, 7
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our complete redemption through His death on the cross. He lived a sinless life, died a vicarious death, and arose from the dead in a literal, physical body.
*Scripture: Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 3:24, 25;1 Corinthians 15:3,4
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father. As our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate.
*Scripture: Hebrews 1:3; 4:14; 1 John 2:1, 2; 1 Timothy 2:5
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God. He possesses all the attributes of deity. He is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father and the Son and of the same nature.
*Scripture: John 4:24; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the chief agent in the regeneration of the soul. The Holy Spirit convicts the unregenerate person of his sin. At the moment an unregenerate person exercises faith in Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells, justifies, sanctifies, and seals the believer unto the day of redemption.
*Scripture: John 3:5, 16:7-11; Romans 8:9; 5:1; 15:16; Ephesians 4:30
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who guides believers in the truth of the Word of God. It is the privilege and duty of all saved people to be filled (controlled) with the Spirit.
*Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 16:3; Ephesians 5:18
We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows at least one spiritual gift upon each believer according to His Will. The Holy Spirit no longer distributes the temporary sign gifts (e.g. miracles, healing, tongues, and interpretation of tongues) to believers because:
The age of sign-gifts ended with the Apostles.
*Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20
They were rendered useless when the New Testament was complete.
*Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; Revelation 22:18
Their purpose was to confirm the Word of God.
*Scripture: Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:4
We believe the gift of tongues, or languages, was a sign of impending judgment on the Jewish nation. This gift ceased with the completion of the canon and the ending of the apostolic age. Therefore, the modern charismatic movement is not based upon God or His Word.
*Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7; Acts 2:8-11; Isaiah 28:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:21-22
Satan
We believe that Satan is a real and personal being. As Lucifer he existed as the highest rank of all angelic creatures. He became the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man because of his sin of pride.
*Scripture: John 8:44; Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:11
We believe Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers and is in continual warfare with believers. He shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.
*Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11-12; Revelation 20:10
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively. We believe that all things were created by Jesus Christ, including man. The Scriptures contradict the evolution model, whether it be theistic or non-theistic. God established the law that life should bring forth only “after their kind.”
*Scripture: Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3
Heaven
We believe in a literal heaven which Jesus is presently preparing for believers. Jesus Christ is now seated at the right hand of God the Father interceding on behalf of believers. At the moment of death or the rapture, believers will be with Jesus Christ in heaven.
*Scripture: John 14:1-3; Hebrews 8:1; 1 John 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:8
Hell
We believe in a literal hell of everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain in hell after death, in conscious misery, until the second resurrection. At the Great White Throne Judgment, unbelievers are cast body, soul, and spirit into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting conscious punishment, not annihilation.
*Scripture: Matthew 25:41, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:11-15
Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God in a state of innocence. Through Adam’s sin the whole race fell, became alienated from God and inherited a sin nature. Man is under the just condemnation of death, both physical and spiritual, without defense or excuse. Man is helpless in his lost condition apart from the grace of God.
*Scripture: Genesis 1:25-27; Romans 1:20; 3:10, 23; 5:12, 16-18; Psalm 51:5
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God provided for all men by the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and His shed blood. We believe salvation is wholly of God and apart from any works of righteousness by man. Salvation is exclusively through Jesus Christ and His vicarious atonement for sin.
*Scripture: Romans 3:24; 6:23; John 3:16; 14:6; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
We believe that the Holy Spirit of God convicts unbelievers of their sin, drawing them to salvation. The two ingredients for man to receive salvation are repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, justifies, and seals the believer.
*Scripture: Acts 20:21; Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 5:1; John 3:3, 36; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30
We believe that Christians are eternally secure in Jesus Christ and salvation may never be lost. The penalty of all sins is removed at salvation.
*Scripture: Romans 8:1, 33-39; John 10:28-29; 1 John 5:11-13
The Second Coming
We believe in the imminent, personal, pre-tribulational return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will return bodily in the air to “catch away” both the dead and living in Christ.
*Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13
We believe that Jesus Christ will return to earth seven years after the rapture. He will destroy the remaining unbelievers and establish His kingdom. He will reign 1,000 years on the throne of David.
*Scripture: Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 19:15-16; 20:4; Matthew 24:30
The Church
We believe that a New Testament church is a local, organized assembly of baptized believers with the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus Christ began His church during His earthly ministry; and purchased it with His own blood. Each church is to be autonomous, indigenous, and independent. The church is governed, first, as a theocracy; and secondly, as a democracy. There are two permanent officers in the church: pastors and deacons. The church is to observe two ordinances established by Jesus Christ: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
*Scripture: Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Acts 20:28; 2:41, 47; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 5, 6, & 16; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-13
The Ordinances
Baptism
We believe that baptism is a symbol of the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is strictly an act of obedience following conversion. Christ only gave authority to His church to baptize by immersion in water.
*Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:4-5; Acts 2:41
The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the shed blood and broken body of the Lord. It is a reminder of the death of Christ and His future return. Participants are to be saved, baptized, and belong to a church. Self-examination is to precede participation in the Lord’s Supper.
*Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:24-29; Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 2:41-42