STATEMENT OF DOCTRINE

1. We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired  infallible Word of God, without error in the original  writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16;  2 Peter 1:20,21)

2. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and  eternally existing and manifest as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16,17;  28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14;  I John 5:17)

3. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  He is true God and true man  in one Person.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life.  We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into Heaven where He is now our High Priest and Advocate, and His personal triumphant return. (John 1:1, 14; 10:30;  Isaiah  9:6; Romans 1:3,4; I Corinthians 15:3,4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:24-28)

4. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person who glorifies Jesus Christ.  He is co-equal with the Father and the Son.  It is His job to  convict the world of sin.  Jesus Christ baptizes the believer with the Holy Spirit into the Body of Jesus Christ, the Church, at the moment of regeneration.  The Holy Spirit,  then indwelling the believer, seals, guides, instructs, empowers, comforts, enabling the believer to grow increasingly more like his Savior in both character and service.   God’s norm for the believer is to be filled with the Spirit as he grows bearing spiritual fruit.  (Acts 5:3,4; I Corinthians 12:13;  John 14:16; 16:8, 14;  Acts 1:8;  Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16, 22-26)

5. We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin in the Fall of Adam, and is therefore lost for eternity under the just condemnation of a holy God, unable to save himself.  (Genesis 1:26,27;  Romans 3: 21-26; 5:12)

6. We believe a Christian is one saved by grace and grace alone.  We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe.   To believe is to repent of one’s sin and to entrust oneself to God based on the finished atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.  It is only as one receives Jesus Christ and is born of the Holy Spirit that one becomes a child of God.  (Ephesians 2:8,9;  John 1:12; 3:3,16;  Romans 5:1,9)

7. We believe that Jesus Christ lived and taught the way of life as recorded in the Scriptures, which is God's plan for mankind, and that disciples of Jesus Christ are to live in this way, thus manifesting in their life and relationships, the life and holiness of God.  We believe further that the Christian life will of necessity express itself in nonconformity to the world in life and conduct as it is God’s will for the Christian to live a life of  separation and victory over sin.  (Romans 6:4-11; 12:1,2,16-20;  Ephesians 4:17-32)

8. We believe this Christian life is possible as one yields to God, engages regularly in prayer, feeds on the word, stays in fellowship with the body, and is led of the Spirit.  (Romans 12:1,2; Matthew 26:41; I Peter 2:2; Hebrews 10:25; Galatians 5:16; Acts 2:42)

9. We believe that the Christian Church consists of believers who have repented of their sins, have accepted Jesus Christ by faith, i.e. are born again.  We believe in the brotherhood of the redeemed.  We believe that this invisible Church manifests itself in local churches to which have been given the ordinances of Baptism and Communion to be observed during this present age.  These ordinances are not to be regarded as means of salvation.  We believe that each local church is under the headship of Jesus Christ and has the right to decide and govern its own affairs.   (I Peter 2:9-12; Romans 8:15-17;  Matthew 28:18-20; I Corinthians 11:23-32; Colossians 1:18) 

10. We believe in the immortality of the soul, the bodily resurrection of the dead, and a future state determined by divine judgment; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.   (Matthew 25:31-46; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Revelation 20:11-15)

11. We believe in the personal imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to gather His Church.  This “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.   (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)