Statement of Faith

Holy Angels

We believe that angels are created beings[1] and are therefore not to be worshipped[2]. They were created to serve God, and do so in a variety of ways: they praise and glorify God[3], carry God’s message[4], appear to us in our own form[5], rejoice at our conversion[6], surround and protect us[7], take us home to God[8].

Lucifer and His Angels

We believe that Satan was once a holy angel, and enjoyed heavenly honor[9]; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels (one-third)[10]. These fallen angels then became demons some of which are active today in the execution of Satan’s unholy purposes on earth,[11] while others are reserved in chains under darkness[12].

The chief of all these fallen angels, Lucifer, is now the malignant prince of the power of the air[13], and the unholy god of this world[14].  We hold him to be man’s great tempter[15], the enemy of God and His Christ[16], the accuser of the saints[17], the author of all false religions[18], the chief power behind the present apostasy; the lord of the Antichrist[19], and the author of all the powers of darkness[20] – destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son[21], and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire[22], a place prepared for him and his angels[23]. He can be resisted and overcome[24].

[1] Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:7 (The time of their creation is never definitely specified in the Bible.)
[2] Matthew 4:9-10; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8,9
[3] Revelation 5:11-12
[4] Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19; Luke 2:8-12; Hebrews 2:2
[5] Genesis 18:2-5; Genesis 19:1-5; Hebrews 13:2
[6] Luke 15:8-10
[7] 2 Kings 6:15-18; Psalm 91:11; Psalm 34:7; Matthew 18:10;
[8] Luke 16:21-23
[9] Ezekiel 28:15
[10] Ezekiel 28:17; Revelation 12:4
[11] Matthew 8:16; Luke 11:20; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8
[12] 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6
[13] Ephesians 2:2
[14] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[15] Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5
[16] Ephesians 6:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7
[17] Revelation 12:10
[18] 1 Timothy 4:1
[19] Revelation 13:4
[20] Ephesians 6:12
[21] Revelation 20:10
[22] Revelation 20:10
[23] Matthew 25:41
[24] James 4:7

Salvation is by the grace of God alone[1], which means that it is a gift that is neither merited nor secured in whole or in part by any virtue or work of man or by any religious duty or sacrament. The gift of God’s grace was purchased by Jesus Christ alone[2], by His blood[3] and death on Calvary and was completed through His bodily resurrection[4]. The sinner receives God’s salvation by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ[5]. Though salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith, it does result in a changed life[6]; salvation is not by works[7], but it is unto works[8]. The faith for salvation comes by hearing God’s Word[9]. Men must hear the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ[10]) to be saved[11].

Man’s Responsibility

We believe the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free[12] to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate[13] duty of all to accept them by a penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth except his own voluntary refusal[14] to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ which will subject him to an eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire[15].

Regeneration

We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the “new birth,” is that change wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit[16], by which a new nature[17] and a spiritual life[18], not before possessed, are imparted, and the person becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus[19]; that a holy disposition is given to the mind[20], the will subdued[21], the dominion of sin broken[22], and the affections changed from a love of sin and self[23], to a love of holiness and God[24]; that the change of nature is instantaneous[25] and not a process, effected not by culture or character, nor by the will of man, but solely through the power of God[26] through the Word of God[27], in a manner incomprehensible to reason[28].

Repentance

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act[29], prompted by the Spirit of God[30]; and consists in a godly sorrow over sin[31], as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one’s sin and guilt[32], together with prayer for pardon[33], and also with a sincere hatred of sin[34], and a persistent turning away from and abandonment of, all that is evil and unholy, to that which is good[35].

Justification

We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe on Him is justification[36]; that justification includes the pardon of sin[37], and the gift of eternal life on principles of Christ’s righteousness[38]; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done[39], but solely through faith[40] in the Redeemer’s blood[41] and the resurrection of our Lord from the dead[42]; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God[43], and secures every other blessing needed for time and eternity[44]. Justification of sinners is secured by the imputation of God’s righteousness to us by Christ.

God’s Purpose of Grace

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God[45], according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners;  that God’s sovereignty is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man[46]; that grace is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness[47],  being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that grace utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy[48]; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe in the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance;  and that to ascertain assurance with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence[49].

Preservation of the Saints

We believe that a Christian can never be lost again based upon the eternal purpose of God[50], His gift of eternal life[51], His unchangeableness[52], and the abiding work of the Holy Spirit in us[53].

Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positional sanctification is a complete setting apart to God by our position in Christ[54]. Progressive sanctification is our growing in grace as a child of God[55] to be conformed into the image of Christ[56]. Ultimate sanctification is when we shall be like Him and with Him[57].

[1] Ephesians 2:8-9
[2] 1 Corinthians 6:20
[3] Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19
[4] Romans 4:25; Galatians 3:13
[5] Acts 20:21
[6] 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10
[7] Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
[8] Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 3:7; Ephesians 2:10
[9] Romans 10:17
[10] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
[11] Psalms 119:50; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Ephesians 5:26; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23
[12] Romans 3:24; Romans 5:15
[13] 2 Corinthians 6:2
[14] John 1:13; John 6:37; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:1, 4, 18;
[15] 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelations 20:14-15
[16] John 3:3; Ephesians 2:1; Titus 3:5
[17] 2 Peter 1:4
[18] Ephesians 2:5
[19] 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:11
[20] Romans 8:6; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 2:5; 2 Timothy 1:7
[21] Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 4:2; 1 John 2:17
[22] Ephesians 2:2
[23] Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 2:16
[24] 1 John 2:15; 1 John 5:2
[25] Luke 23:43
[26] Psalms 3:8; Psalms 37:39; Jonah 2:9; Acts 4:12
[27] Psalms 119:50; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Ephesians 5:26; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23
[28] Ephesians 2:12-13
[29] Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20
[30] Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18
[31] 2 Corinthians 7:9
[32] 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 51:3; James 4:9
[33] Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9
[34] 2 Corinthians 7:11
[35] Romans 7:21-24; Galatians 5:17
[36] Romans 5:1
[37] Romans 3:24
[38] Romans 5:9, 18
[39] Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
[40] Romans 3:30; Romans 4:5; Acts 13:39; Galatians 2:16
[41] Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19
[42] Romans 4:25
[43] Romans 5:1
[44] Romans 5:2-5
[45] Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4, 11; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9
[46] Romans 11:33-36 (Impossible for a finite mind to comprehend)
[47] 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
[48] 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
[49] Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:10
[50] Romans 9:11
[51] John 17:3; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-12
[52] Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17
[53] John 14:17; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:14
[54] Hebrews 10:10
[55] 2 Peter 3:18
[56] Romans 8:29
[57] 1 John 3:1-3

We believe that there are two areas of separation for the believer: Ecclesiastical and Personal.

Ecclesiastical

We believe that the Bible requires separation from all forms of heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy[1]. We are commanded to try them[2], mark them[3], rebuke them[4], have no fellowship with them[5], withdraw ourselves[6], receive them not[7], reject them[8], and separate ourselves from them[9]. The Bible teaches that the course of the church age is characterized by increasing apostasy[10].

Personal

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy[11] and from all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations[12] is commanded of God. Furthermore, we also believe that how we appear, what we say, what we do, and where we go is important. We believe that biblical principles of modesty[13] and identification[14] (as either a male or a female) are important in consideration of appearance. We also believe that all music in every church should be God-honoring in its composition, words, and presentation[15]. Finally, we believe that believers ought to abstain from drinking intoxicating beverages[16], from other forms of substance abuse[17], from gambling, and from participating in any activity, saying any words, and going any place where we might damage or shame the name of Christ.

[1] Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:7-9; Galatians 2:4; Philippians 3:2; Colossians 2:8; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 2 John 1:7; Jude 1:19
[2] 1 John 4:1
[3] Romans 16:17
[4] Ephesians 5:11
[5] Ephesians 5:11
[6] 1 Timothy 6:5
[7] 2 John 1:10
[8] Titus 3:10
[9] Galatians 5:12
[10] 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:4
[11] Ephesians 5:11
[12] Romans 12:1-2; I John 2:15-17
[13] 1 Timothy 2:9
[14] Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3:16-19; Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9
[15] Ephesians 5:19
[16] Proverbs 20:1
[17] 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God[1], but man fell from that holy and happy state through sin in the Garden of Eden[2], inherited the curse of sin[3], became alienated from God[4], and is dead in trespasses and sins[5]. We further believe every man and woman has sinned by choice[6] (except Jesus Christ)[7], and therefore is under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse (but not until they can comprehend the law of God, i.e., age of accountability[8]).

The sacredness of life is evident in that God Himself is life[9]; that He created man in His own image[10] and is mindful of him[11], and in that Christ died for man[12]; therefore, every individual possesses dignity and is worthy of respect[13] and Christian love[14] including unborn children.

The human will is free[15] and self-controlled[16], having power to yield[17] to the influence of the truth and the Spirit and live, or to resist them and perish.

[1] Genesis 1:26-27
[2] Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12
[3] Genesis 3:17, 22-24; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:3
[4] Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21
[5] Romans 5:19; Colossians 2:13
[6] Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12
[7] John 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
[8] 2 Samuel 12:22-23; Romans 7:9
[9] John 1:4
[10] Genesis 1:27;
[11] Job 7:17; Psalm 8:4; Luke 12:30; 2 Peter 3:9
[12] Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:15
[13] 1 Peter 2:17
[14] Luke 6:35
[15] Genesis 2:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:13
[16] Proverbs 25:28; Philippians 4:5; Titus 2:12
[17] Romans 6:13

We believe the Scriptures teach that at death the spirit of the believer passes instantly into the presence of Christ[1] and dwells there in conscious joy until the resurrection of the body when Christ comes for His own prior to the Great Tribulation[2]. At death, the spirit of the unbeliever descends immediately into Hell[3] to await the resurrection of the wicked into judgment[4]; there the conscious soul is tormented in fire[5]. The blessed hope of the believer is the personal, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial appearance of Christ to rapture the church age saints away before the Tribulation[6]. This coming of Christ is imminent[7]. God’s righteous judgments will then be poured out on an unbelieving world (particularly, upon the Jews, causing many of God’s chosen people to turn to Christ and be saved) during the Tribulation[8]. This is the seventieth week of Daniel[9]. Simultaneously, in Heaven, believers will face the Judgment Seat of Christ[10]. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will also occur[11]. The climax of this fearful era will be the physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth at the Battle of Armageddon when He will come in great glory to establish the Davidic Kingdom known as the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ[12]. Israel will be saved and restored completely to her land and kingdom[13]. Satan will be bound, and the curse will be lifted from the physical creation[14]. Following the Millennium, Satan will be loosed from the bottomless pit, will lead one last unsuccessful rebellion, and will eventually be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever and ever[15]. This will be followed by the Great White Throne judgment of the unsaved dead[16] and the establishment of the New Heavens and the New Earth[17].

[1] 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23
[2] 1 Corinthians 15:42, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16
[3] Luke 16:23
[4] John 5:29
[5] Mark 9:43
[6] 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9; Titus 2:13
[7] Matthew 24:42-44; Matthew 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
[8] Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:2; Matthew 24:21; Revelations 6-18
[9] Daniel 9:24-27
[10] 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 19:8
[11] Revelation 19:5–9
[12] Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 26:64; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:1-4
[13] Isaiah 2:2-5; Isaiah 66:20-24; Joel 3:1-2, 18-21; Zechariah 14; Romans 11:25-29
[14] Isaiah 11:6-9; Revelation 20:1-4
[15] Revelation 20:7-10
[16] Revelation 20:11-15
[17] Revelation 21-22; 2 Peter 3:10-13

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment[1] for the interests and good order of human society[2]; and that magistrates are to be prayed for[3], conscientiously honored[4], and obeyed[5], except only in things opposed to the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ[6], who is the only Lord of the kings of the earth. Furthermore, we believe that God removes and sets up kings and powers[7].

[1] Romans 13:1
[2] Romans 13:4
[3] 1 Timothy 2:1-3
[4] 1 Peter 2:17
[5] Romans 13:1, 5; Titus 3:1-2
[6] Acts 5:29
[7] Daniel 2:21

In light of God’s creative design, we believe that the Bible teaches that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman[1], and that sexual intimacy is to be expressed only within the bounds of a Biblically defined marriage[2]. Furthermore, we believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance[3].

[1] Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:2

[2] Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 5:19; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4

[3] Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4

We believe that all who are united to Christ by the new birth are members of the true church which is the Bride of Christ[1]. The Bride of Christ will be complete at the first resurrection when it will be called up to be with the Lord.

Until the resurrection of believers, a church is a called-out, local congregation of baptized believers[2] united by doctrine in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel[3], observing the ordinances of Christ[4], governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; and that its officers are bishops (pastors and elders)[5] and Deacons[6] whose qualifications are clearly defined in the Scriptures[7].

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ conceived His church prior to Pentecost[8] and empowered His church at Pentecost[9], and He guaranteed the perpetuity of His church by promising to be with those who carry out the Great Commission, until the end of the age[10].

The purpose of the church is to bring glory to God[11], and the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to baptize and build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He commanded[12].

Autonomy of the Church

The church has the absolute right of self-government[13], free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. The one and only superintendent is Christ[14] through the Holy Spirit. We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other[15] in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final[16].

Church Government

Each church is autonomous (self-governing, self-disciplining, self-supporting, self-propagating) and stands on its own feet under its one Head, Jesus Christ. Its officers are Bishops (also called Elders and Pastors) and Deacons. The qualifications of Pastors and Deacons are found in 1 Timothy and Titus. Their lifestyles are held to a higher standard to be examples to the assembly and the world[17].

Pastors oversee the church and its resources[18]. Pastors shall devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine)[19], and shepherding God’s flock. Deacons care for the temporal needs of members, handle matters of benevolence, and encourage, support, and relieve the ministry of the pastors[20].

Church Ordinances

We believe that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life[21]; that baptism is to be performed under the authority of the local church[22]; and that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, but not necessary for salvation.

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes by members of the church[23]. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is baptism first and then the Lord’s Supper, composed of unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice.

[1] Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 5:25, 31-32; Hebrews 12:23
[2] Ephesians 4:11-13
[3] Acts 2:42
[4] Acts 2:42
[5] 1 Timothy 3:1-7
[6] 1 Timothy 3:8-13
[7] 1 Timothy 3:1-13
[8] Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11
[9] Acts 2:4
[10] Matthew 28:19-20
[11] Ephesians 3:21
[12] Matthew 28:19-20
[13] Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 13:1-4; Acts 15:22-30; 1 Corinthians 11:13, 16
[14] Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:18
[15] Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:1
[16] Matthew 18:15-18
[17] 1 Timothy 5:19-20
[18] 1 Peter 5:2
[19] Acts 6:4; 1 Peter 5:2
[20] Acts 6; I Timothy 3:13
[21] Romans 6:4
[22] 1 Peter 5:2
[23] 1 Corinthians 11:23–28

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.