ABOUT US
What We Believe
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by the Holy Spirit - controlled men who were supernaturally
inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
By the "Holy Bible", we mean the collection of 66-books from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.
By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of God of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that the writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or will be inspired.
We recognize that the King James version is trustworthy, accurate, and reliable, and we shall as long as this church stands required it to be used in the pulpit and in the Sunday School classroom. The KJV is an accurate translation of what was given by inspiration of God. It is, therefore, the inspired Word of God as a result of preservation and we may say that it is the inspired Word of God for English speaking people.
By "preservation", we mean the Old Testament in Hebrew (preserved in the Masoretic Text) and the New Testament in Greek (preserved in the Textus Receptus text), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of Religions, the Church is finally to appeal to them.
Psalm 12:6-7; Luke 24:44-45; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19
II. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that God is supreme in His person, eternal in His being, absolute in His attributes, glorious in His perfection, and sovereign in His will. God is clearly distinguished from things which have no life. He is a person .God is the Creator of man and entire universe and upholds all things by the Word of His power.
We believe also in the Trinity. The Father is the fullness of the Godhead invisible; the Son is the fullness of the Godhead manifested; and the Holy Spirit is the fullness of the Godhead in His executive agency. That They are co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory God in His person possesses Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Immutability.
Genesis 1:1,26 1Cor. 12:4-6 Matthew 3:16-17 2 Cor. 13:14 Matthew 28:19 1John 5:7
A. Person and Work of God the Father
We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, in love, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; He hears and answers prayers and he saves by faith those who come to Him through Jesus Christ His Son.
Psalm 99:9 Psalm 147:5 Isaiah 44:24 John 14:13-14 John 3:16
B. Person and Work of God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; that He pre-existed with the Father and became man, without ceasing to be God, He was begotten of the Holy Spirt, in a miraculous manner; born of the virgin Mary as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God , and God the Son,
Isa. 7: 14 Matt. 1: 18-25 Luke 1:35 John 1:1-2
We believe that He was sinless in His nature and life, and infallible in His teaching; that He accomplished our redemption, making atonement for our sins through His substitutionary death ont2 the cross according to the Scriptures; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
1 Cor. 15:3-4 1 Peter 2:24 Romans 4:25 John 2:2 2 Cor. 5:21 Gal. 1:4
We believe in the "Blessed Hope," the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to thee earth with His saints to establish His Millennial Kingdom.
Tit.2:13 Rev. 3:10 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Zach 14:4-11 Rev. 19:6-11, 20:1-6 1 Thess. 1:10
C. Person and Work of God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Sprit is a divine Person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains Satan until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgement and of righteousness ; that He bears witness to the Truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; and that He indwell the believers at the moment of salvation and is their constant source of strength and power; that He seals, guides, teaches, comforts, sanctifies, and helps the believer; and that He witnesses and glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 5:3-4 1 Peter 1:2 John 14:16-17 Eph. 1:13 John 14:26 John 16:8-15 Romans 8:16;8:26-27
III. OF SATAN
We believe in the personal existence of Satan, the Devil, who was created a perfect angelic being; who willfully led a host of other angels in rebellion against God before the world began; who is the author of sin, sickness and all false religions; who is the accuser of saints and temper of all men; and who shall be destroyed in the lake of fire with his followers at the end of the millennium.
We further believe that he is the deceiver and god of this present world, that his powers are vast, but strictly limited by the permissive will of God who overrules all his wicked devices for good; that he was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore his final doom is certain; that we are able to resist and overcome him only in the armor of God, by the blood of the Lamb and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Isa. 14:12-17 2nd Cor. 4:4 Ezek. 28:11-19 Job 1:6-12 Eph.. 2:2 Thess. 3:5
1 Peter 5:8-9 Rev. 20:10 Rev12:9-12 James 4:7
IV. OF CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation as neither allegory nor figurative, but a literal, historical account if the direct, immediate creative acts of God without any (organic or theistic) evolutionary process; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness and not from previously existing forms of life; 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 1:1, II, 24-27 Gen. 2:21-23 Ex, 20:11 John. 1:3 Rom.1:20 Heb. 11:3
V. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker; that by his own free choice and willful decision fell into sin and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is eternal separation from God.
We believe that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are totally depraved; that man does not possess any qualities whereby he might reconcile himself to God or save himself from the eternal consequence of sin. Man in his sinful condition is under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Gen. 3: 1-6 Rom.5:12 Rom. 3:10,23 Gal. 3:22
VI. OF SALVATION
We believe that salvation of sinful man is wholly by God's grace and not by man's works; that Jesus Christ came into the world to make full atonement for sinners by His shed blood vicarious death on the cross, bodily resurrection from the grave, and ascension into Heaven again to intercede for believers; that man must personally repent of his sins and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior to receive the free gift of eternal life and power over sin; that believers are indwelt immediately by the Holy Spirt of God upon faith in Jesus Christ; that man can be saved only once and that there is no other way of salvation for sinful man.
Eph. 2:8-9 Rom. 10:9-10 Tit. 3:5 Acts.4:12 John 1:12-13
VII. OF ETERNAL LIFE
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved , are kept eternally by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe once saved always saved.
John. 10:27-30 1John. 2:24-25 1John. 5:11-13 1 Peter. 1:5 Jude 24 John.5:24 John. 3:36
VIII. OF REPENTANCE
We believe that repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit ;that it is characterized by godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the true repentance is inseparably related to true faith in Jesus Christ.
Mark. 1:15 Luke. 13:1-3 Acts.17:30,20:21 Rom. 2:4 2 Cor.7:10
IX. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God Whereby He declares us to be righteous through faith in Jesus Christ; that justification included the pardon of sin; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Isa. 53:11 Acts 13:39 Rom. 5:1,9 Rom. 8:1 :18-21 Titus 3:7
X. OF SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner; First an act of God, based upon redemption in Christ , establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Saviour; " Second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life; Third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord's return .
Heb. 10:10-14 1Thess.5:23 John. 17:17 1John. 3:2 1 Cor. 1:30 Jude 24 Eph. 5:25-27 1 Thess.4:3,4 2 Cor. 3:18 Lev.21:8 2 Cor. 7:1
XI. OF SEPARATION
We believe that it is not a prerogative of Christians, but an explicit command to all believers to separate themselves from all forms of godlessness, apostasy, compromise, and worldliness.
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and that separation from all worldly and sinful pleasures and practices is commanded by God.
We further believe that the Scriptures plainly teach that Christians should not marry or have other entangling alliances with unbelievers; that Christians should not fellowship with those who deny the faith.
2 Chron. 19:2 1 John. 2:15-17 Amos 3:3 2 John. 7:11 Rom. 16:17 Rom. 12:1-2
2Cor.6:14-18 2 Thess. 3:6 Eph. 5:11-18 1 Tim. 6:3-5
XII. OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
We believe that Christ is our Great High Priest through Him every born again person has direct access into God's presence without the need of a human priest; that the believer has the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the Scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit.
Heb. 5:5-10;10:19-22 2 Tim. 2:15 2 Pet. 1:19-21 Rev. 1:6 1 Pet. 2:5&9
XIII. OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that God is Sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and that the gifts of evangelist, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the perfecting of the saints today; and that speaking in tongues (languages) and , the working of sign miracles gradually as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established.
Acts. 2:1-11 Acts. 5:12 1 Cor. 12:4-11 Heb. 2:3-4 1 Cor. 13:8-10
Rev. 22:18-19 1 Cor. 14:22 Eph. 4:11-12
XIV. OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a Baptist Church is a congregation of saved , baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ meeting together for worship , prayer, fellowship, teaching, a united testimony, and actively engaged in carrying out the great Commission.
We hold that the local church has absolute right of self-government, free from the interference, control, or dictates of any religious hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that Christ is the one and only Head and Superintendent of the Church; and that on all matters of membership, of policy , of government, of discipline, of benevolence , the will of the local church is final.
Acts. 2:41-42 1 Cor.11:2 Eph. 1:22-23 Col. 1:18
XV. OF THE ORDINANCES
We believe there are only two ordinances given to the local church by Christ; Believer's Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, and that both of these ordinances have no saving merit; and that as Christ gave these ordinances to the local church, that the local church alone has the authority to administer them .
A. We believe that baptism is for believers only and that the mode of baptism practiced by this church shall be by immersion; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, through Whom we died to sin, and rose to a new life; and that baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
Mt.28:19-20 Mt. 3:16 Acts. 2:41 John.3:23 Acts. 10:47-48 Rom. 6:4 Acts. 16:33 Co,. 1:12 Acts.18:8
B. We believe that the Lord's Supper is a memorial service commemorating the death of our Lord on Calvary; that the use of bread and fruit of the vine are symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood; that partaking is only for truly-regenerated believers; and that faithful self-examination should precede its observance.
I Cor. 11:23-32 Mt 26::26-29
XVI. OF CHURCH AND STATE
We recognize government as being ordained of God, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates and those who are in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed as long as they are not in opposition to the will and Word of God.
However, we firmly believe that the church and government can best work to achieve their purpose if each is separate from the other and, therefore, we favor a complete separation of church and state.
Mt. 22:21 Acts 5:29 Acts 4: 19-20 Ro. 13: 1-7
XVII. OF MISSIONS
Because all men everywhere without Christ are lost and bound for eternal punishment, and because men cannot believe in Him of whom they have not heard, we believe that we are debtors to all men and have the responsibility of giving them the Gospel.
We believe that the Great Commission was given to the Churches, and that every believer must be a witness by life and word to tell all lost men about Christ; and we must support by prayer and financial aid those who go out that are sound in doctrine and of like faith and practice to represent us in other parts of the world
Ro. 10:14-15 Mt. 28: 18-20 Mk. 16:15 Acts 1:8 Jo. 20:21 Ro. 1:14
XVIII. OF HEAVEN AND HELL
We believe that Heaven and Hell are literal, eternal places, prepared of God; that every person has a soul of eternal duration; that heaven is a place of eternal joy and happiness for those who are saved by the grace of God; and that it is a place of God's preparation for His people.
We also believe that those who refuse God's grace and remain in their lost condition shall abide in hell forever, eternally separated from God.
II Cor 5:8 Jo. 14: 1-3 I Pet. 1:4 Lk. 16: 19-31 Rev. 20: 10-15 Mt. 25: 41-46 II Cor. 12:2 Rev. 21:8
XIX. OF THE RAPTURE AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We believe in the imminent personal, pre-tribulation, pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ for His Church, and that at the moment the dead in Christ shall first be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump" and shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
II Cor. 15: 42-44, 51-54 Phil. 3:20-21 I Thes. 4: 13-18
We also believe that the tribulation, which follows the rapture of the Church, will be culminated by the Revelation of Christ, with His Saints, in power and great glory to sit upon the Throne of David and to establish the Millennial reign.
Isa. 9: 6-7, 11: 1-9 Mt. 24: 29-31 Rev. 20: 1 -4, 6
XX. STATEMENT OF MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one's sex, or disagreement with one's biological sex is sinful and offensive to God.
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as a local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church member and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness,, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the church.
Gen. 2: 18-25 I Cor. 6: 9-10, 7: 2-5 Heb. 13:4 Mt 15: 18-20 Ro. 1:27 Mt 19: 4-6 Lev. 18:1-30 I Thess. 4: 1 - 8
