What We Believe!!
1.. Scriptures - We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.
a) By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the Word of God.
b) By "Inspiration", we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
(2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; 28:15; Ps. 19:7-11; 119: 89, 105, 130, 160; Luke 16:31; 24:44-45; 25:25-27; John 12:48; 17:17; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; 15:4; 1 Pet. 1:2-3; Rev. 22:19; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17)
c). It is the desire of the church to use the best translation in the English language of the Holy Scriptures that maintains the accuracy of the
Word of God being translated word for word from the Textus Receptus. As a result, we use the King James Version of the Bible in all of our
preaching, teaching, and materials because we believe that the King James Version is the best translation and it maintains the accuracy of the
Word of God in the English language and is translated word for word from the Textus Receptus. We also reject all other versions due to the
criteria of accuracy and being translated word for word from the Textus Receptus.
2. The True God - We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God an infinite, intelligent Spirit, 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 by harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.(Ex. 15:11; 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; Eph.2:18; 4:6; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Ps. 83:18; 90:3; 147:5; Jer. 10:10; Rev. 4:11; 1 Tim 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; 1 John 5:7; Acts 5:3-4; Phil. 2:5-6; 2 Cor.13:14)
3. The Holy Spirit - We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Matt. 3:11; 28:19; Heb. 9:14; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49 Gen. 1:1-3; 2 Thess.2:7; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Eph.1:13-14; Mark 1:8; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26-27; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2)
4. The Lord Jesus Christ - We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is eternally equal with God; that He became man by the Holy Spirit and virgin birth; that He lived a sinless life on earth; that He died at Calvary as the only satisfactory sacrifice for sinners; that He was buried; and arose again, ascended to Heaven in a glorified body and sits at God's right hand and that He is coming again for His own; and will set up His kingdom on earth. (Isa. 7:14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38)
5. Satan, or the Devil - We believe that Satan 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 unholy god of this world; we hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-Christ, and the author of all the powers of darkness--destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.(Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; 20:1-3, 10; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; 1 Thess. 3:5; 1 Pet. 5:8; Matt. 25:41)
6. Hell - We believe in a literal Hell, the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, which shall be the place of eternal punishment of Satan, fallen angels, demons, and the unbelieving dead. (Luke 16:22-26; Rev. 20:12-15; 21:8)
7. Heaven - We believe in a literal place called Heaven, where God's immediate presence is manifested, where the angels dwell, and where the redeemed shall ultimately dwell, from whence Christ descended and ascended again, where He makes intercession for the saints and from whence He shall come to judge. (John 14:1-3; Rev. 21)
8. Eternal State - We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (1 Thess.4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:6-8)
9. Creation - We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly; and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind". (Gen. 1:1, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3)
10. Fall of Man - We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:12; Eph.2:1; Gal. 3:22)
11. The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ - We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and He is both the Son of God, and God the Son. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:15-25; John 1:14; Luke 1:26-38).
12. The Atonement for Sin - 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 and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the LORD, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. (Eph2:8; John 3:16; Isa. 53:4-7; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; Heb. 9:12-15).
13. Grace in the New Creation - We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneously and not a process; that in the new birth, the dead one in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. ( John 3:3, 6-7; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:30-33; rom. 6:23; Eph.2:1).
14. Freeness of Salvation - We believe in God's electing grace; 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; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (Col. 3:12; Rom. 8:29-30; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; 16:30-31; Eph.2:4-5; John 5:24).
15. Justification - We believe that the great Gospel which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on the 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, His righteousness is imputed unto us. (Isa. 53:11; Rom. 1:17; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Titus 3:5-7).
16. Repentance and Faith - We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby being deeply convicted 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all sufficient Savior. (Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Rom. 10:9-13).
17. The Church - We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized, believers associated by a covenant of 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 the Word of God; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; First, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-24; 1 C or. 5:11-13; 12:4; Matt. 28:19-20; Mal. 3:10).
18. Baptism and the Lord's Supper - We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, 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 pre-requisite 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 fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination (Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6, 16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-28).
19. Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers - We believe that such only are the real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the great mark which distinguishes them from the superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. (John 8:31-32; 1 John 2:19; Rom. 8:23, 35-39; Heb. 1:14; Psa. 37:23-33; 2 Tim. 1:12; Jude 24; 1 Pet. 1:3-4).
20. Righteous and the Wicked - 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, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight, wicked, under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. (Rom. 1:17; 6:17-18, 23; 1 Cor. 15:22; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Matt. 25:34; John 12:25).
21. Civil Government - We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; 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 coming prince of the kings of the earth. (Rom. 3:27; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 17; Phil. 2:10-11).
22. Resurrection and Return of Christ - We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures"; that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God"; that He alone is our "merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God", that "this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" -- bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the living saints "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling on an eye, at the first trump"; "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David"; and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until he hath put all enemies under His feet." (Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor. 15:4, 25; Acts 1:9, 11; 1 John 2:1; 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 20:1-4, 6).
23. Second Advent of Christ - We believe in that 'blessed hope", the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His church and to establish His Millenial Kingdom. ( 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 20:4-6).
24. Missions - We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches. (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 13:1-5; 14:23-28; Rom. 10:13-15).
25. Grace of Giving - We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations; the care of the churches and the support of the ministry is by the tithes and offerings of His people. That it is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises. The time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. That everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church. (2 Cor. 8:7; 1 Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; Heb. 7:2-9; Mal. 3:8-10; Lev. 27:30)
26. Human Sexuality.
(1) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one naturally-born
man and one naturally-born woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, sexual abuse,
fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to
alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8;
Heb. 13:4)
(2) We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman for life. (Gen. 2:24;
Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)
27. Abortion - We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the
unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects,
gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16;
Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
28. Euthanasia We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and
must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in
order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or
disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment. (Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)
1.. Scriptures - We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.
a) By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the Word of God.
b) By "Inspiration", we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
(2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; 28:15; Ps. 19:7-11; 119: 89, 105, 130, 160; Luke 16:31; 24:44-45; 25:25-27; John 12:48; 17:17; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; 15:4; 1 Pet. 1:2-3; Rev. 22:19; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17)
c). It is the desire of the church to use the best translation in the English language of the Holy Scriptures that maintains the accuracy of the
Word of God being translated word for word from the Textus Receptus. As a result, we use the King James Version of the Bible in all of our
preaching, teaching, and materials because we believe that the King James Version is the best translation and it maintains the accuracy of the
Word of God in the English language and is translated word for word from the Textus Receptus. We also reject all other versions due to the
criteria of accuracy and being translated word for word from the Textus Receptus.
2. The True God - We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God an infinite, intelligent Spirit, 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 by harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.(Ex. 15:11; 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; Eph.2:18; 4:6; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Ps. 83:18; 90:3; 147:5; Jer. 10:10; Rev. 4:11; 1 Tim 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; 1 John 5:7; Acts 5:3-4; Phil. 2:5-6; 2 Cor.13:14)
3. The Holy Spirit - We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Matt. 3:11; 28:19; Heb. 9:14; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49 Gen. 1:1-3; 2 Thess.2:7; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Eph.1:13-14; Mark 1:8; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26-27; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2)
4. The Lord Jesus Christ - We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is eternally equal with God; that He became man by the Holy Spirit and virgin birth; that He lived a sinless life on earth; that He died at Calvary as the only satisfactory sacrifice for sinners; that He was buried; and arose again, ascended to Heaven in a glorified body and sits at God's right hand and that He is coming again for His own; and will set up His kingdom on earth. (Isa. 7:14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38)
5. Satan, or the Devil - We believe that Satan 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 unholy god of this world; we hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-Christ, and the author of all the powers of darkness--destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.(Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; 20:1-3, 10; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; 1 Thess. 3:5; 1 Pet. 5:8; Matt. 25:41)
6. Hell - We believe in a literal Hell, the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, which shall be the place of eternal punishment of Satan, fallen angels, demons, and the unbelieving dead. (Luke 16:22-26; Rev. 20:12-15; 21:8)
7. Heaven - We believe in a literal place called Heaven, where God's immediate presence is manifested, where the angels dwell, and where the redeemed shall ultimately dwell, from whence Christ descended and ascended again, where He makes intercession for the saints and from whence He shall come to judge. (John 14:1-3; Rev. 21)
8. Eternal State - We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (1 Thess.4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:6-8)
9. Creation - We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly; and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind". (Gen. 1:1, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3)
10. Fall of Man - We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:12; Eph.2:1; Gal. 3:22)
11. The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ - We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and He is both the Son of God, and God the Son. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:15-25; John 1:14; Luke 1:26-38).
12. The Atonement for Sin - 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 and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the LORD, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. (Eph2:8; John 3:16; Isa. 53:4-7; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; Heb. 9:12-15).
13. Grace in the New Creation - We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneously and not a process; that in the new birth, the dead one in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. ( John 3:3, 6-7; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:30-33; rom. 6:23; Eph.2:1).
14. Freeness of Salvation - We believe in God's electing grace; 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; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (Col. 3:12; Rom. 8:29-30; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; 16:30-31; Eph.2:4-5; John 5:24).
15. Justification - We believe that the great Gospel which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on the 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, His righteousness is imputed unto us. (Isa. 53:11; Rom. 1:17; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Titus 3:5-7).
16. Repentance and Faith - We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby being deeply convicted 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all sufficient Savior. (Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Rom. 10:9-13).
17. The Church - We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized, believers associated by a covenant of 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 the Word of God; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; First, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-24; 1 C or. 5:11-13; 12:4; Matt. 28:19-20; Mal. 3:10).
18. Baptism and the Lord's Supper - We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, 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 pre-requisite 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 fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination (Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6, 16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-28).
19. Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers - We believe that such only are the real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the great mark which distinguishes them from the superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. (John 8:31-32; 1 John 2:19; Rom. 8:23, 35-39; Heb. 1:14; Psa. 37:23-33; 2 Tim. 1:12; Jude 24; 1 Pet. 1:3-4).
20. Righteous and the Wicked - 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, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight, wicked, under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. (Rom. 1:17; 6:17-18, 23; 1 Cor. 15:22; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Matt. 25:34; John 12:25).
21. Civil Government - We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; 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 coming prince of the kings of the earth. (Rom. 3:27; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 17; Phil. 2:10-11).
22. Resurrection and Return of Christ - We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures"; that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God"; that He alone is our "merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God", that "this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" -- bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the living saints "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling on an eye, at the first trump"; "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David"; and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until he hath put all enemies under His feet." (Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor. 15:4, 25; Acts 1:9, 11; 1 John 2:1; 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 20:1-4, 6).
23. Second Advent of Christ - We believe in that 'blessed hope", the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His church and to establish His Millenial Kingdom. ( 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 20:4-6).
24. Missions - We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches. (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 13:1-5; 14:23-28; Rom. 10:13-15).
25. Grace of Giving - We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations; the care of the churches and the support of the ministry is by the tithes and offerings of His people. That it is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises. The time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. That everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church. (2 Cor. 8:7; 1 Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; Heb. 7:2-9; Mal. 3:8-10; Lev. 27:30)
26. Human Sexuality.
(1) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one naturally-born
man and one naturally-born woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, sexual abuse,
fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to
alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8;
Heb. 13:4)
(2) We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman for life. (Gen. 2:24;
Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)
27. Abortion - We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the
unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects,
gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16;
Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
28. Euthanasia We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and
must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in
order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or
disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment. (Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)