What We Believe

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 10:30; John 14:10, 26).

God the Father

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 10:30; John 14:10, 26).

The Person and Work
of  Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor.5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 Pet. 1:20,21; 1 John 2:1-2).

The Person and Work
of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgement; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption as long as they continue to believe in Jesus Christ (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 6:4-6).

We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20, 27).

We believe that God is Sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom.12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-12).

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, The ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of the believer for physical healing (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:18; 14:21-22).

The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph 2:1-3; 4:17-19).

The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgement and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25: 46; John 5:28, 29;11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-15).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified with the Lord (Luke 23;43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21: Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).

We believe that the soul of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgement, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matt. 25: 41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess.1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15).

The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scripture shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. A person can never makeup for his wrongdoing (sin) by good works or any self-improvement. The only way an individual can be saved from their sin and adopted into the family of God is through Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).

The Church

We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor.11: 2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4: 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4: 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

We recognize Water Baptism, The Lord’s Supper and Feet Washing as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Act 2:38-42; 8:12,13;Cor. 11-23-26; John 13:7-16).

Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God (Rom.12:1- 2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-17:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

Security of the Believer

We believe that the Word of God teaches the security of the believer, that God will keep securely in His hand (John 10:25-30) those who are trusting in Jesus, but offers absolutely no hope for that person who is not trusting in Christ (1 Peter 1:5). The link that unites God and man is faith (John 3:16). The security of the believer is based upon continuous faith in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:21-23; John 3:16; Hebrews 3:12-13). We believe that the Scriptures present the possibility of an authentic believer ceasing to believe (1 John 2:24; Hebrews 3:12-13) but not in the probability (Hebrews 6:9). We believe that apostasy is committed by willful unbelief and is without remedy (Hebrews 6:4-6).

The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.  At the end of the Tribulations, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel (Ps.89;3-4;  Zech. 14; 4-11; 1 Thess. 4;13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20: 1-6).

The Personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man. That he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14-12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

Creation

We believe that God created the Universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject Evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Genesis 1-2; Ex. 20:11).

The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 2:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6).

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when the soul and body are reunited, and they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15).

Missions

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 13:10; 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20).

Baptism

Baptism is a public declaration that an individual has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The method of Baptism is by immersion. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism does not save anyone. It is done in obedience to God’s command and reflects the believers love for Christ (Matt. 3:11,13; Mark 1:5; Acts 8:38, 39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ. Bread and juice are used to remember the sacrifices Jesus Christ offered on our behalf (His broken body and shed blood) (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:17-29).

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 10:30; John 14:10, 26).

God the Father

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 10:30; John 14:10, 26).

The Person and Work
of  Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor.5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 Pet. 1:20,21; 1 John 2:1-2).

The Person and Work
of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgement; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption as long as they continue to believe in Jesus Christ (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 6:4-6).

We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20, 27).

We believe that God is Sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom.12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-12).

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, The ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of the believer for physical healing (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:18; 14:21-22).

The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph 2:1-3; 4:17-19).

The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgement and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25: 46; John 5:28, 29;11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-15).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified with the Lord (Luke 23;43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21: Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).

We believe that the soul of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgement, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matt. 25: 41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess.1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15).

The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scripture shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. A person can never makeup for his wrongdoing (sin) by good works or any self-improvement. The only way an individual can be saved from their sin and adopted into the family of God is through Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).

The Church

We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor.11: 2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4: 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4: 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

We recognize Water Baptism, The Lord’s Supper and Feet Washing as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Act 2:38-42; 8:12,13;Cor. 11-23-26; John 13:7-16).

Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God (Rom.12:1- 2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-17:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

Security of the Believer

We believe that the Word of God teaches the security of the believer, that God will keep securely in His hand (John 10:25-30) those who are trusting in Jesus, but offers absolutely no hope for that person who is not trusting in Christ (1 Peter 1:5). The link that unites God and man is faith (John 3:16). The security of the believer is based upon continuous faith in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:21-23; John 3:16; Hebrews 3:12-13). We believe that the Scriptures present the possibility of an authentic believer ceasing to believe (1 John 2:24; Hebrews 3:12-13) but not in the probability (Hebrews 6:9). We believe that apostasy is committed by willful unbelief and is without remedy (Hebrews 6:4-6).

The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.  At the end of the Tribulations, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel (Ps.89;3-4;  Zech. 14; 4-11; 1 Thess. 4;13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20: 1-6).

The Personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man. That he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14-12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

Creation

We believe that God created the Universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject Evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Genesis 1-2; Ex. 20:11).

The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 2:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6).

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when the soul and body are reunited, and they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15).

Missions

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 13:10; 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20).

Baptism

Baptism is a public declaration that an individual has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The method of Baptism is by immersion. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism does not save anyone. It is done in obedience to God’s command and reflects the believers love for Christ (Matt. 3:11,13; Mark 1:5; Acts 8:38, 39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ. Bread and juice are used to remember the sacrifices Jesus Christ offered on our behalf (His broken body and shed blood) (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:17-29).