Doctrinal Statement
Listed below are the components that make up our Doctrinal Statement. We do not take lightly the statements listed here — but rather prayerfully believe these are clearly detailed by a close examination of the Holy Word of God. Hover or click on any of the verses listed to see the text of that verse.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men 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 should be tried.
2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11,160; Rom. 3:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10; Exo. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7
We believe that the Lord Jesus, the Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, so that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men; that He 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; that He ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He intercedes for us; that He shall return to earth and that His coming will be personal, bodily, visible and premillennial.
Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; John 3:18; 10:36; John 20:31; Heb 4:14; John 1:1-14; Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 14:7-11; Matt. 20:28; 26:28; Eph. 1:7; 1Tim 1:15; 1Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53; Rom 4:25; 5:10
We believe that Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son being of the same nature; that he was active in creation; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel; that He is the agent of the new birth; that He seals, keeps, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ; that He indwells every born again child of God.
Gen. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:19; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-13; Acts 5:30-32; Rom 8:14,16, 26-27; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 9:14
We believe that Satan is a literal person; that he was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the enemy of God; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and to the judgment of an everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire.
Isa. 14:12-15; Eze. 28:14-17; Zech. 3:1; Matt. 4:1-3; 25:41; John 14:30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Rev. 20:10
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that in six twenty-four hour days all that is was spoken into being by God; that man was created directly in God's image and after His own likeness; therefore, the creation of man was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species.
Genesis 1:1,3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Exo. 20:11; Jer. 10:12; John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Gen. 1:26-27; 9:6
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin.
Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12; 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 3:9-18; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices 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 is every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21; Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; 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.
John 1:16; Acts 13:39; Rom. 8:1; 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 1 John 2:12; Rom. 5:1-3, 11
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.
Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17; Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Acts 13:46
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel.
John 3:3, 6-7; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; Phil. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Gal. 5:16-23
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, and helplessness, 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.
Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:9-11; Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable.
2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3
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 in the continual use of the appointed means — especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4; Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16; John 3:6
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; 1 John 2:19; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; Phil. 1:6; Jude 24-25; 1 John 4:4
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel.
Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15; Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119; Heb. 8:10; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28
We believe that a Church of Jesus Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons; that it is an independent, sovereign, local body; that Christ Jesus is its only head.
1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13; 1 Cor. 11:2; Matt. 18:15-20; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; by the authority of the New Testament church, to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior; that it is prerequisite to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of a local church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and fruit of the grape vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience.
Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Rev. 19:16
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus are truly righteous in His esteem; that the righteous, at death, do pass into the presence of God and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming; that the wicked, at death, remain in conscious torment until the final judgment.
Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Rom. 6:16; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Matt. 7:13-14
Believing that the rise of humanistic and postmodern thought has shattered once well-defined moral norms, the following statements give expression to the biblical position held by this assembly.
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society (Gen. 2:18,21-25). Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9). The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image (Gen. 1:27). Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3; 139:13-16).
We believe the Bible places man and woman in a biblical, God-commanded relationship and that God instituted the marriage relationship between man and woman (Gen. 2:23,24; Eph. 5:22-23). We hold that homosexuality, lesbianism, co-habitation outside marriage, and any other sexual relationship apart from one man and one woman in a marital union is incompatible with the Word of God (Rom. 1:18-32).
Abortion: We believe that all human life begins at conception (Jer. 1:5; Psalm 51:5) and that God is fashioning that life throughout pregnancy (Psalm 139). Therefore, we conclude that abortion is a violation of the sanctity of life and the standard of God.
Euthanasia: Euthanasia is any intentional, direct act causing someone's death under the guise of mercy. This is a direct violation of the sixth commandment (Exo. 20:13). God alone has the right to give and take life (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 14:5). We affirm a fundamental difference between euthanasia and making a medical decision to not receive treatment that might prolong a terminal situation.
Download the complete doctrinal statement as a PDF document.
Download PDF