Our Statement Of Faith
We believe:
In the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God without error in the original writings and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith, life, practice and government of the local church. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Thess 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)
There is but one God, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut 6:4, Matt 28:19, John 1:1-8, 1 John 5:7).
Jesus Christ to be truly God and truly man (1 Tim 3:16, 2:5-6), having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26- 35, Matt 1:20), sinlessly perfect (Heb. 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, 2 Cor. 5:21). Because of His sacrifice, the sinner finds in Christ a substitute (1 Peter 2:24) and a representative who forever pleads His blood for our justification (Heb 7:25). He rose bodily from the dead (Luke 24:39) and ascended to His Father’s right hand (Eph 1:20-23) where He now ministers as our Great High Priest (Heb 4:14 -16, 9:24).
That man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), but that each member of the human race is fallen, sinful and lost (Rom. 3:23, 5:12). Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of man (Titus 3:5, Rom 8:9). Redemption is wholly by the blood of Christ (Heb 9:12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19) and salvation is by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 2:5-9). Every true child of God possesses eternal life and is safe for all eternity. (John 10:27-29, 5:24, 3:16, 1 John 5:13).
That each believer (upon believing) is indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30). It is only through the
power of the Holy Spirit that a believer can live a godly life (Gal. 5:16; 22-23).
That the true church is not an organization, but a living organism comprised of all true believers, known as the body of Christ (1Cor 12:12-27, Eph 1:22-23). The local church is composed of believers in a locality (Phil 1:1). They gather in Christ’s name as a corporate testimony to the Lordship of Christ (Col. 1:18) and to the oneness of the body of Christ (John 17:21). They gather to commemorate the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:23-26), for worship (John 4:23), prayer (Acts 2:42), edification (Eph 4:12, 2 Tim 4:2). And to propagate missions work (Matt. 28:19-20). Government and discipline are the responsibility of the local church (Matt 18:15-17, 1 Cor 5:1-13).
In two Christian ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age are water baptism by immersion (Matt 28:19, Acts 8:35-39), and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Cor 11:23-28). Baptism is for believers upon confession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37). It signifies that the one being baptized has been crucified with Christ unto sin, has been buried with Him and is risen with Him to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:3-6). The Lord’s Supper was commemorated by the early church on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), and we believe that it is the privilege and duty of every true believer to heed the Lord’s request. “This do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19).
In the personal, pre-tribulation and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:14-18; Titus 2:13, Heb 9:28).
In the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust (John 5:29, 1 Cor 15:51-55, Rev 20:12-13), the just to everlasting life (Phil 1:23; Rev 22:4-5) and the unjust to judgement and everlasting conscious punishment (Matt 25:46, 2Thess 1:8-9, Rev 20:10-15, Luke 16:19-31).
