According to our beliefs, the Holy Bible, divinely inspired and authored by God, serves as a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. It reveals principles by which God will judge us and remains the true center of Christian union. Let’s delve into some key aspects:
The Scriptures:
The True God:
The Fall of Man:
The Way of Salvation:
Justification:
We believe the Scriptures teach 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; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. John 1:16, Eph 3:8, Acts 13:39, Isa 3:11-12, Rom 8:1, 5:9, Zech 13:1, Mt 9:6, Acts 10:43, Rom 5:17, Titus 3:5-6, 1 Pet 3:7, 1 John 2:25, Rom 5:21, 4:4-5, 5:21, 6:28, Phil 3:7-9, Rom 5:19, 3:24-26, 4:23-25, 1 John 2:12, Rom 5:1-3, 11, 1 Cor 1:30-31, Mt 6:33, 1 Tim 4:8
The Freeness of Salvation:
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. Isa 55:1, Rev 22:17, Luke 14:17, Rom 16:26, Mk 1:15, Rom 1:15-17, John 5:40, Mt 23:37, Rom 9:32, Prov 1:24; Acts 13:46, John 3:19, Mt 11:20, Lk 19:27, 2 Thes 1:8
Regeneration:
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life. John 3:3, 6:7, 1 Cor 1:14, Rev 8:7-9, 21:27, 2 Cor 5:17, Ez 36:26, Deut 30:6, Rom 2:28-29, 5:5, 1 John 4:7, John 3:8, 1:3, James 1:16-18, 1 Cor 1:30, Phil 2:13, 1 Pe 1:22-25, 1 John 5:1, Eph 4:20-24, Col 3:9-11
Repentance and Faith:
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 and of the way of salvation by Christ, 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, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. Mk 1:15, Acts 11:18, Eph 2:8, 1 John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, 16:30-31, Lk 18:13, 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, 2 Cor 7:11, Rom 10:12-13, Psa 51, Rom 10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Heb 4:14, Psa 2:6, Heb 1:8, 8:25
God's Purpose of Grace:
We believe the Scriptures teach 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; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence. 2 Tim 1:8-9, Eph 1:1-14, 1 Pet 1:1-2, Rom 11:5-6, John 15:15, 1 John 4:19, Hos 12:9, 2 Thes 2:13-14, Acts 13:48, John 10:16, Mt 20:16, Acts 15:14, Ex 33:18-19, Mt 20:15, Eph 1:11, Rom 9:23-24, Jer 31:3, Rom 11:28-29, James 1:17-18, 2 Tim 1:9, Rom 11:32-36, 1 Cor 4:7, 1:26-31, Rom 3:27, 4:16, Col 3:12, 1 Cor 3:5-7, 15:10, 1 Pet 5:10, Acts 1:24 1 Thes 2:13, 1 Pet 2:9, Lk 18:7, John 15:16, Eph 1:16, 1 Thes 2:12
Sanctification:
We believe the Scriptures teach 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, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. 1 Thes 4:3, 5:23, 2 Cor 7:1, 13:9, Eph 1:4, Pr 4:18, 2 Cor 3:18, Heb 6:1, 2 Pet 1:5-8, Phil 3:12-16, John 2:29, Rom 8:5, John 3:6, Phil 1:9-11, Eph 1:13-14, Phil 2:12-13, Eph 4:11-12, 1 Pet 2:2, 2 Pet 3:18
Perseverance of the Saints:
We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to 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, John 13:18, Mt 13:20-21, John 6:66-69, Job 17:9, Rom 8:28, Mt 6:30-33, Jer 32:40, Psa 121:3, 91:11-12, Phil 1:6, 2:12-13, Jude 24-25, Heb 1:14, 2 Kings 6:16, Heb 13:5, 1 John 4:4
The Law and Gospel:
We believe the Scriptures teach 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, arise 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, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church. Bylaws | 4 Rom 3:31, Mt 5:17, Lk 16:17, Rom 3:20, 4:15, 7:12, 7, 14, 22, Gal 3:21, Psa 119, 8:7-8, Josh 24:19, Jer 13:23, John 6:44, 5:44, Rom 8:2, 4, 10:4, 1 Tim 1:5, Heb 8:10, Jude 20-21, Heb 12:14, Mt 16:17-18, 1 Cor 12:28
A Gospel Church:
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of 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; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. 1 Cor 1:1-13, Mt 18:17, Acts 5:11, 8:1, 11:31, 1 Cor 4:17, 14:23, 3 John 9, 1 Tim 3:5, Acts 2:41-42, 2 Cor 8:5, Acts 2:47, 1 Cor 5:12-13, 1 Cor 11:2, 2 Thes 3:6, Rom 16:17-20, 1 Cor 11:23, Mt 18:15-20, 1 Cor 5:6, 2 Cor 2:7, 1 Cor 4:17, Mt 28:20, John 14:15, 15:12, 1 John 4:21, John 14:21, 1 Thes 4:2, 2 John 6, Gal 6:2
Baptism and the Lord's Supper:
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. Acts 8:36-39, Mt 3:5-6, John 3:22-23, 4:1-2, Mt 28:19, Mk 16:16, Acts 2:38, 8:12, 16:32-34, 18:8, Mt 28:19, Acts 10:47-48, Gal 3:27-28, Rom 6:4, Col 2:12, 1 Pet 3:20-21, Acts 22:16, 2:41-42, Mt 28:19-20, 1 Cor 11:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Lk 22:14-20, 1 Cor 11:28, 5:1, 8, 10:3-32, 11:17-32, John 6:26-71
The Christian Sabbath:
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God. Acts 20:7, Gen 2:3, Col 2:16-17, Mk 2:27, John 20:19, 1 Cor 16:1-2, Ex 20:8, Rev 1:10, Psa 118:24, Isa 58:13-14, 56:2-8, Psa 119:15, Heb 10:24-25, Acts 11:26, 13:44, Lev 19:30, Ex 46:3, Lk 4:16, Acts 17:2, 3, Psa 26:8, 87:3, Heb 4:3-11
Civil Government:
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest 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, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Rom 13:1-7, Deut 16:18, 1 Sam 23:3, Ex 18:23, Jer 30:21, Mt 22:21, Titus 3:1, 1 Pet 2:13, 1 Tim 2:8, Acts 5:29, Mt 10:28, Dan 3:15-18, 6:7-10, Acts 4:18-20, Mt 23:10, Rom 14:4, Rev 19:16, Ps 72:11, Ps 2, Rom 14:9-13
Righteous and Wicked:
We believe the Scriptures teach 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, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death. Mal 3:18, Pr 12:26, Isa 5:20, Gen 18:23, Jer 15:19, Acts 10:34-35, Rom 6:16, 1:17, 7:6, 1 John 2:29, 3:7, Rom 6:18, 22, 1 Cor 11:32,, Pr 11:31, 1 Pet 4:17-18, 1 John 5:19, Gal 3:10, John 3:36, Isa 57:21, Psa 10:4, Isa 55:6-7, Prov 14:32, Lk 16:25, John 8:21-24, Prov 10:24, Lk 12:4-5, 9:23-26, Jn 12:25-26, Eccl 3:17, Mt 7:13-14
The World to Come:
We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. 1 Pet 4:7, 1 Cor 7:29-31, Heb 1:10-12, Mt 24:35, 1 John 2:17, Mt 28:20, 13:39-40, 2 Pet 3:3-13, Acts 1:11, Rev 1:7, Heb 9:28, Acts 3:21, 1 Thes 4:13-18, 5:1-11, Acts 24:15, 1 Cor 15:12-59, Lk 14:14, Dan 12:2, John 5:28-29, 6:40, 11:25-26, 2 Tim 1:10, Acts 10:42, Mt 13:49, 37-43, 24:30-31, 25:31-33, Mt 25:35-41, Rev 22:11, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Mk 9:43-48, 2 Pet 2:9, Jude 7, Phil 3:19, Rom 6:32, 2 Cor 5:10-11, John 4:36, 2 Cor 4:18, Rom 3:5-6, 2 Thes 1:6-12, Heb 6:1-2, 1 Cor 4:5, Acts 17:31, Rom 2:2-16; Rev 20”11-12, 1 John 2:28, 4:17
Ordinances
Baptism in Water:
The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4).
The Lord’s Supper (Communion):
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes” (John 6:48,51,53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 11:25).