Articles of Faith

 

 

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by man divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried. We believe that the Bible is the final authority in all matters relating to faith and practice. II Timothy 3.16,17; II Peter 1.21; Matthew 5.19; 24.35; Luke 24.44; John 5.39; 14.15,21-26; 17.17

 

We believe in one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, three persons, yet one God, whose name is Jehovah.

We believe in the deity and the humanity of Jesus Christ, who is none other than God the Son manifest in the flesh, and in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells forever. Isaiah 45.21,22; Jeremiah 10.10; Deuteronomy 6.4; 32.4; John 1.1-13; I Timothy 3.16; Revelation 1.8; John 14.26; 15.26; I Corinthians 3.16; 12.11; Matthew 28.19

 

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace; through the mediation 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 atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead. He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfections; He is in every way a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. John 1.14,29; Luke 1.26-35; Acts 4.12; Romans 3.20-26; John 3.14-16; Galatians 6.14; Matthew 26.28; Acts 16.31; John 6.53

 

We believe that 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 that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. Ephesians 1.4; John 3.6-8; 6.44; 1.12,13; I Peter 1.2; James 1.18; John 16.7-11; Ephesians 2.10; Philippians 2.12,13; John 5.40; Romans 10.13-16

 

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, 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 as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying upon Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. Acts 2.38; Ephesians 2.8; Hebrews 7.25

 

We believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only Head of the Church; that all believers are equally priests unto God; that ordination, while it recognizes position, bestows no power; that the local church is independent and sovereign. Revelation 1.6; I Peter 2.5

 

We believe in regeneration or the "birth from above" as the only basis for church membership. I Corinthians 12.12-31

 

We believe that the Lord's Supper is a symbolic representation of the broken body and shed blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, given to us as the new covenant. We further believe that all baptized believers are entitled to participate in the observance of this ordinance. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful symbol our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to membership in this church. Matthew 3.6, 13-17; 28.19,20; Mark 1.5, 9-11; 16.16; John 3.5, 23; Acts 8.36-38; Romans 6.4; Colossians 2.12; Matthew 26.26-30; Mark 14.22-25; Luke 22.19,20; John 6.51-58,63; Acts 2.41,42; I Corinthians 11.23-29

 

We believe in the separation of Church and State, and stand for the largest measure of civil and religious liberty. Romans 13.1-7; Matthew 22.21; Acts 5.29; 4.18-20

 

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor, by the devout observance of all the means of grace both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God. John 21.19; Acts 20.7; I Corinthians 16.1,2

 

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-denial, self-examination, watchfulness, prayer, and unselfish services and giving. John 17.15-17; Acts 20.32; Romans 6.3-7; 8.17-28; II Corinthians 3.18; Galatians 5.16-26; Ephesians 3.14-21; Hebrews 12.14; I Thessalonians 4.3; 5.23; I John 2.29; Philippians 2.12-13

 

We believe that God, the Creator and Owner of all things and persons, has entrusted to the Christian his life, time, talents, influence, money, goods, and all things whatsoever he possesses; that as steward of these possessions he is to administer them under the will of God for the purpose of Jesus Christ; that is definite expression of this stewardship; he is to contribute systematically and proportionately of his means to the support of his church and of the missionary and benevolent enterprises of Christ's Kingdom. Leviticus 27.30; Malachi 3.8-10; Matthew 23.23; Matthew 25. 14-30; Luke 12.41-48; Acts 2.44-47; I Corinthians 16.2; II Corinthians 8.1-15

 

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that 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 the power of God through faith unto salvation. Romans 8.35-39; I peter 1.5; John 10.27-29; Hebrews 3.14; Matthew 24.13; II Peter 1.3,4

 

We believe in unbroken conscious existence after death determined by life before death; in the personal second coming of Christ to judge the world; in the resurrection of the body which for those who die in the Lord shall be like Christ's glorious body; in the eternal weal of the saved and the eternal woe of the lost. Job 14.14; John 11.25,26; Hebrews 11.5; II Samuel 12.23; II Timothy 1.10; I John 5.11,12; Revelation 1.18; II Corinthians 5.1