This church holds the following Statement of Faith as being a summary of Christian doctrine,
whose authority consists only in its agreement with the Word of God.
- We believe in the verbal (every word) and plenary (complete) inspiration of the Old and New Testaments; that they are the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. (Proverbs 30:52; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- We believe the Authorized King James Bible is the preserved Word of God for English-speaking people and is the only acceptable version to be used at this church. (Psalm 12:6-7; Psalm 119:160; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
- We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. (Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11)
- We believe 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 but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Genesis 1:26; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11)
- We believe in the deity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, perfect God and perfect man. (John 10:30; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15)
- We believe He is God manifested in the flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:6-14)
- We believe He lived a sinless life on earth, then died on Calvary’s cross and shed His precious blood as a satisfactory sacrifice for sinners. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
- We believe He was buried in a sepulchre tomb, but arose bodily the third day fully victorious over death, hell, and the grave. (Mark 15:42-47; John 19:38-42; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Revelation 1:12-13,17-18)
- We believe He ascended to Heaven and was glorified at God’s right hand; and that He is coming again for His own. (John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11)
- We believe the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a distinct member of the Triune Godhead, is of the same nature with God the Father and God the Son, and was active in the creation. (Genesis 1:1-3; Matthew 28:19)
- We believe that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled, and that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:7-11)
- We believe that in His relation to the saved or “Child of God”:
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- He is the agent in the New Birth. (John 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 6:11)
- He bears witness to the Truth in preaching and testimony. (Acts 5:30-32; Romans 8:14-16)
- He is the given “Comforter” that abides in and with the “Child of God” forever. (John 14:16-17,26; 1 John 3:24)
- He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer, and that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is the evidence of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations. (Mark 1:8; Luke 24:49; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:14)
We believe that Satan is a supernatural being, a fallen angel, the author of sin, and the cause of the Fall; that he is the “god of this world,” the “prince of the power of the air,” and the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that his declared destiny is eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-9; Ezekiel 28:1-19; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 4:7; Revelation 20:10)
- We believe that man was created by a direct act of God, and not by any evolutionary process. (Genesis 2:7)
- We believe that man was created as distinctly male and female, after God’s own image, and in a state of innocence. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3:6-19)
- We believe that through man’s transgression sin entered into the world, and death by sin – not only physical death – but spiritual death, which is conscious and eternal separation from God; and that consequently, his posterity inherits a corrupt nature, being born in sin under its condemnation, and utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10,23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3)
We believe in an actual place called Heaven, where God’s immediate presence is manifested, where the angels dwell, and where the redeemed who are justified through faith in Jesus Christ shall dwell; it is from Heaven that Christ descended and to which, after the completion of His earthly ministry, He ascended; it is in Heaven that He makes intercession for the saints, and from whence He shall come to judge both the living and the dead. (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 4:4-6; Revelation 21-22:6)
- We believe in a literal, burning Hell! It is the place where those who have died, without accepting Christ as their personal Saviour, are kept to suffer the torments of sin’s punishment until the Great White Throne Judgment. (Proverbs 15:11,24; Matthew 5:29-30; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:22-26; 2 Peter 2:4,9)
- We believe in the literal Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and that it shall be the final place of eternal punishment for Satan, fallen angels, demons, and the unsaved (those who rejected Christ). (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15; Revelation 21:8)
- We believe the Lord Jesus Christ “died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures;”. (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
- We believe a person is saved when they repent of their sin, and exercises faith by believing in and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. (Mark 1:15; John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-10)
- We believe salvation is a gift from God of eternal life, wholly by the grace of God, without any merit or works. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 1:12-14; Titus 3:5-6)
- We believe salvation is through Jesus Christ alone; and that God provided, through His Son, the only way to receive forgiveness and eternity in heaven. (John 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; 1 John 5:11-12)
- We believe the atonement of Christ is not limited, but that God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth, and that it is not His will “that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. (Romans 10:13; 2 Peter 3:9)
- Let it be known that we fully reject the errant teachings of Calvinism!
- We believe that once a person is saved, he is kept by God’s power and remains secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:4-5)
- We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word; which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty “as an occasion to the flesh”. In other words, the liberty we have received in Christ does not release us to do our own thing. Instead, it should cause us to live in accordance to His will. If we live in disobedience, we will not lose our salvation, but we will lose our fellowship and be chastened by our heavenly Father. (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Hebrews 10:19-23; Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 John 5:11-13)
- 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; John 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 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23-24; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6)
- We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment in Hell until the second resurrection, when with spirit, soul, and body reunited, 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. (Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)
- We believe that all true believers have been sanctified (made holy, purified, consecrated) in the sight of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ once and for all. (1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:10)
- We believe that sanctification is NOT a second work of grace for which the believer should seek.
- Having been sanctified once and for all through Jesus Christ, we believe a child of God should submit his will to God and live a sanctified life which accurately portrays his position in Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2,30; Ephesians 5:25-26; Titus 2:11-14)
- We believe that all believers should maintain godly testimonies, and live in such a way that their lives do not bring reproach upon their Saviour. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances. (Psalm 1:1-2; Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 4:5; Hebrews 6:9-12; 1 Peter 1:15-16)
- We stand against any and all worldly philosophies that seek to destroy or undermine the truth of Biblical Christianity. (Leviticus 19:28; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 1:9-11)
- We believe that Christ is our Great High Priest, and through Him every born-again believer has direct access into God’s presence without the need of a human priest. (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:18-19; Ephesians 3:10-12; Hebrews 4:14,16; Hebrews 9:11-12; 1 Peter 2:9-10)
- We believe that every believer has the right and responsibility to personally study and grow in the Scriptures, as guided by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Peter 2:2)
- We believe the local New Testament church is to be composed of regenerated, baptized believers, voluntarily united together for the purpose of worship, edification, ordinances, fellowship, growth, and service. (Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 4:11-16)
- We believe the existence of the local New Testament church requires the bodily assembling of believers together; and that each individual is a necessary part of that body, but does not solely constitute being the church on their own. (Acts 2:1; Acts 15:25; Romans 12:3-5; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Hebrews 10:24-25)
- We believe the officers of the local church are Pastors and Deacons whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
- We believe the mission of the local church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity, in the local community and to the uttermost part of the earth. (Mark 16:15; Ephesians 3:20-21)
- We believe the one and only head of the church is Christ, through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:15-23; Ephesians 2:20-22)
- We believe the local church is autonomous (i.e. free from the interference of any individuals or organizations, both religious or political), has the absolute right to be self-governing under the control of Jesus Christ, and on matters of membership, policy of government, discipline, benevolence, etc., that the will of each independent local church, when remaining consistent with Scripture, is final.
- We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, but that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. (Colossians 4:15-16)
- We believe that Baptism and The Lord’s Supper are the only two (2) ordinances given in God’s Word, to the local New Testament Church.
- We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, following salvation, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 8:35-38, Acts 10:47-48)
- We believe Scripture clearly and consistently teaches that baptism is NOT part of, or a means to Salvation; but that our submission to Christian baptism symbolizes our death to sin, and resurrection to a new life. (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:10-13)
- We believe that the Lord’s Supper, in which God’s children by the sacred use of the bread and the cup, is to commemorate together the broken body and shed blood of Christ and is to be preceded always with careful, solemn self-examination. (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28)
- We believe that in remembrance of the pure, sinless, and unspotted body and blood of the perfect Lamb of God, we should always represent the sacrifice of our Saviour through great caution and accuracy! Since both leaven and fermentation are symbolisms in Scripture of sin and impurity, we believe it is imperative, in the observance of The Lord’s Supper, to only use unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
- We reject the false teaching of “Transubstantiation”! This false belief teaches that the contents of the bread and the cup become the literal body and blood of Christ when taken in communion.
- We follow the principle of “close communion” when observing The Lord’s Supper. This allows for all believers present, whether members of the church or not, to partake in communion with us. However, it is required that each individual have a clear and certain testimony of salvation, and be of right spirit and fellowship when participating.
We believe that Sunday, being the first day of the week, is the Lord’s Day; set apart in celebration and commemoration of His victorious resurrection. We believe the Lord’s Day is to be kept holy and devoted to worshipping our risen Saviour and other religious purposes. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2)
- We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: a) the home, b) the church, and c) the state. (Genesis 2:21-24; Exodus 18:21)
- We believe that every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. (2 Samuel 23:3; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; Acts 23:5; Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14)
- We believe the home, the church, and the state have an equal level of accountability to God’s Word, and are sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
- We believe in the personal, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial, and imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to catch away all believers unto Himself, (an event commonly known as “The Rapture”). (Matthew 24:42-44; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
- We believe in the personal, visible, and glorious return of Christ to the earth, with His army of saints, at the close of the seven-year tribulation period, to judge the nations and set up His millennial Kingdom on earth. (Zechariah 14:3-9; Revelation 19:11-16)
- We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of marriage between one man and one woman. (1 Corinthians 6:13-20; Hebrews 13:4)
- We love all individuals and will do everything we can to see all people come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we believe that any form of sodomy (ie. homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, and the like), bestiality, incest, pedophilia, fornication, adultery, pornography, and any other form of sexual immorality according to the Word of God, are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex, regardless of societal opinion. (Genesis 19:5-7; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
- We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery, hormone therapy, physical appearance, or any other method. (Psalm 139:14; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Isaiah 44:2,24)
- We believe that children must be absolutely protected within the church, from any form of abuse or molestation. The church has zero tolerance for any person, whether paid staff, volunteer, member, or visitor, who abuses or molests a child. (Matthew 18:6; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14)
- In keeping with our beliefs regarding human sexuality as expressed in this Statement of Faith and in keeping with our purpose, we have the following practical policies:
- All people are welcome to attend our regular worship services.
- Those who attend may not display behavior that is indicative of the sinful behaviors listed in this section in church services, at church functions, or on the church grounds.
- Church representatives are not to display overt disrespect for those who are involved in the sinful behaviors listed in this section.
- The Pastor of the church may preach consistently against all forms of sinful behaviors as listed in this section, as well as other sinful behaviors.
- Because of Divine commandments against all the above-mentioned practices, unrepentant persons remaining engaged in such immoral activities, shall not be granted new or continued membership in this church. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
- We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church.
- The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (i.e. Pastors & Deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are Biblically eligible for licensure and ordination by the local church. (Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-5,12)
- We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. (Genesis 1:26-28; Mark 10:6-12)
- The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. (Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7)
- Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle and example. Parents are also required to provide appropriate loving discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. Children are commanded by God to honour, listen to, and obey their parents. (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-4; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21)
- We believe that the only Scriptural marriage, is the Biblical joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman for life. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)
- We believe that all other forms of marriage, regardless of societies opinion, is a perversion of God’s holy design. Neither the Pastor of this church, nor any member of this church’s staff, may conduct or participate in the union of two persons who were of the same sex at birth.
- We believe God disapproves of a man and woman living together as if they are married without legal or religious sanction. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
- We believe sexual relationships outside of marriage are condemned by God. (Hebrews 13:4)
- We believe that God disapproves of divorce, and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
- We believe that divorced persons, or divorced and remarried persons, may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God. However, divorced men or divorced and remarried men, may not be considered for the offices of Pastor or Deacon. (Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)
- 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. (Genesis 2:7; Exodus 20:13; Exodus 23:7; Numbers 35:30-34)
- 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! (Job 3:16; Psalm 139:14-16; Luke 1:43-44)
- We believe that God is the creator of all life, and has an ultimate purpose for each life that He allows to be conceived. Therefore, we reject any teaching that abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control are acceptable. (Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5)
- In keeping with the Biblical command to follow Christ’s example, we believe it to be our responsibility before God to love, care for, and encourage all individuals we encounter, regardless of their past or present struggles and decisions! (John 8:3-11)
- We believe that we should demonstrate love for others; not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. This is not to say that we are to condone sin, for God Himself commands us to abhor such things. However, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Matthew 5:44-48; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-10; Romans 13:8,10; Philippians 2:2-3; 1 John 3:17-18)
- We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. Also, God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or threatening the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. (Leviticus 19:18; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2)
- We believe that giving is a Biblical principle taught in both the Old and New Testaments. Giving is presented in many forms, but is most often described as “tithing” and the giving of alms or offerings. (Leviticus 27:30,32; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:22,28; 2 Chronicles 31:5-6; Nehemiah 13:12; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:1-4; Mark 12:14-17; Luke 11:42; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4)
- We believe that Scriptural giving is cheerful giving. It should not be done “grudgingly, or of necessity:”, but from a heart of willingness. (Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
- We believe that it is the responsibility of the Local Church to freely and willfully give to the necessity of sending the Gospel around the world. (2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Philippians 4:16-18; 3 John 1:5-8)
- We do not believe the local Church has the Biblical authority to mandate giving of “tithes” or offerings. However, we do believe that every individual shall give a personal account before almighty God, concerning their stewardship and obedience to God’s Word. Therefore, we believe it is imperative that every person exhibit faithfulness in giving “unto God the things that are God’s”. (Matthew 22:21; Luke 20:25; Romans 14:12; Philippians 4:17)
We believe that Christians are prohibited, if at all possible, from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32)
Authority of this Statement of Faith
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, governs the actions of this Church body. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with our Statement of Faith.