The Scriptures

We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice, for both this church and every individual Christian   (2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:20-21).  

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The Godhead​

We believe in one God who eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Each person of the Godhead possesses the same nature and attributes, but each is distinct in office and activity (Deut. 6:4; Mat. 28:19).  

 

Jesus Christ​

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that he became man without ceasing to be God having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, that he lived a sinless life, that he died as a substitutionary sacrifice for every human being, that He was physically raised from the dead by divine power, that He presently serves in heaven as our Intercessor and Advocate and that He will return to earth.  (John 1:1-3, 14; 5:18; 2 Cor. 5:21; Acts 2:31-33; 1 John 2:1-2; John 14:1-2).  

 

The Holy Spirit​

We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world, convicts men of sin, regenerates those who trust Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one and fills those yielded to Him.  We believe that some gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues were given as authenticating signs in the early church and were temporary.  We believe that God answers prayer for the sick in accordance with his will (John 16:7-11; 3:8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 13; John 14:16-17; Eph. 4:30; 5:18; 1 Cor. 14:22-24; Heb. 2:4; 1 John 5:14-15; Jas. 5:15-16).  

 

Angels

​We believe that angels are spiritual beings which were created sinless.  Presently angels exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former state including Satan and his demons.  We believe that Satan is a personal being who is the enemy of God and all Christians (Heb. 1:13-14; 2 Pet. 2:4; Isa. 14:12-14; Gen. 3:1-19; Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:10).  

 

Man

​We believe that man was created by God as a human being and that he did not evolve from a lower form of life.  We believe that he was created innocent and in the image of God.  Through willful disobedience Adam and Eve fell and their sin has resulted in physical and spiritual death to themselves and their posterity.  We believe that man is totally depraved, that is, in no way is he able to commend himself to God.  He has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God and in need of salvation.  (Gen. 1:1, 27; Col. 1:16-17; Gen. 2:17; 3:19; Eph. 2:1-2). 

 

We believe that God administers His purpose on the earth through man under varying responsibilities, stewardships or dispensations.  These dispensations may be distinguished in Scripture through a consistent use of the normal method of biblical interpretation.  We believe that God has a plan and program for the church that is distinct from his plan and program for Israel (Eph. 3:2-6; Col. 1:25-27; Eph. 3:9-11; Rom. 6:14; Heb. 7:18-19; 1 Cor. 10:32).  

 

Salvation​

We believe that salvation is a gift from God and is received by man through repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin.  We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works and that all believers are kept secure in Christ by the power of God forever (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-30; Mark 1:15). 

 

We believe that sanctification is positional, progressive and ultimate.  Christians are called to a holy life of fellowship, service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit.  God will reward the faithfulness of Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ (John 17:17; Eph. 5:25-27; 1 Thes. 5:23; Heb. 10:10, 14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 Cor. 3:12-17; John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:10).  

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The Church​

We believe that the universal church, the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism composed of all genuine Christians who live between the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the Rapture (1 Thes. 4:16-17).  A believer becomes a member of this church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit the moment he trusts Christ as his savior (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:18). 

 

We believe that the local church is an assembly of professing Christians who voluntarily join together in one locality to worship God, study the Bible, observe the ordinances, practice Christian fellowship, pray, evangelize the lost and be equipped for Christian service (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 1:1-2; Eph. 4:11-13).

 

We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper which are to be observed by believers until He returns, and that these are the only ordinances He so appointed.  By water baptism a believer identifies himself publicly with Christ and His people.  Water baptism for believers only.  The Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ's death, the elements being symbolic of His body and blood.  Every believer should partake of the Lord's Supper, but only when he is in fellowship with the Lord (Mat. 28:19-20; Rom. 6:1-14; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).  

The Future​

We believe in the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ for the church.  This event (the Rapture), along with the Tribulation, the Second Coming of Christ to earth, and the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth, will precede entrance into the Eternal State. 

 

We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus Christ pass immediately into His presence at death and remain there in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church, when soul and body will be reunited and joined with Him forever.  We believe that after death the souls of unbelievers remain in conscious misery in Hades until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord.  We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Thes. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:11-15).