The Bible

We believe the Bible to be the revealed Word of God, fully and verbally inspired of God. We believe the Scriptures to be the inerrant, infallible Word of God, as found within the 66 books from Genesis to Revelation. We believe that God not only inspired every word, but that He has preserved them through the ages. We believe that the King James Version is the preserved Word of God for the English-speaking people and is the only acceptable translation to be used in this church. (Psalm 12:6–7; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:19-21; I Thessalonians 2:13)

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14).

God

We believe in one God; Who is eternal, self-existent, infinite, and immutable. We believe He has one nature, one essence, and one substance; yet manifests Himself to man in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 1:17; James 1:17; 1 John 4:4)

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ to be the one and only Saviour of mankind. We believe Jesus Christ to be eternally God and to possess all the attributes of Deity. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was virgin-born, that He was God incarnate, and that the purposes of the incarnation were to reveal God, to redeem men, and to rule over God’s kingdom. We believe Jesus Christ never relinquished any attributes of His Deity, but merely veiled them. We believe He lived a perfect, sinless life, at the end of which He was offered for all mankind as a substitutionary sacrifice for man’s sin. This sacrifice was a just payment to God for the forgiveness of sin. It was activated by His death through the shedding of His blood on the cross and was accepted by God upon His resurrection. We believe He ascended into Heaven after His resurrection to be seated at the right hand of the Father and is now waiting for the time of receiving His church at the rapture, which is followed by His return seven years later to earth to rule and reign as King for 1,000 years. (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 43:11; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 1:3, 14, 18, 29; Romans 3:19-25; Romans 5:6-15; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:10-15; Hebrews 7:26, 9:24-28; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:2; 1 John 1:3; Revelation 20:1-6)

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Person who reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.We believe the Holy Spirit of God is a person who has personality and all the attributes of Deity. We believe the Holy Spirit has always been involved in the affairs of mankind; however, we believe He has a special ministry that began at Pentecost and will continue until the rapture. This ministry includes reproving the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit was also sent to regenerate, sanctify, seal, and fill all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:2; John 3:5-6; John 14:16; John 16:8-11; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14)

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayer of believers for physical healing (II Corinthians 12:12; I Corinthians 13:8; Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:17-20; I Corinthians 1:22, 14:21-22).

The Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the Son of God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature; that being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death on the cross, shedding His precious blood, made a full atonement for our sins; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven and, uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour (especially to all those who believe). (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:14-16, Isaiah 53:4-5, Hebrews 7:25, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 2:18)

The Gift of Salvation

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 sinfulness and voluntary rejection of the Gospel, which rejection condemns him. (Isaiah 55:1, Romans 16:25-26, John 5:40, John 3:36, II Peter 3:9, Rev. 22:17)

Justification

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 in principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works or righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, by virtue of which faith in His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that justification brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. (I John 1:16, Acts 13:39, Romans 5:9, Romans 4:4-5, Romans 5:1-2)

Sanctification

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, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means – especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, yielding to the Spirit’s working and prayer (I Thessalonians 4:3, I John 2:29, Romans 8:5, Philippians 2:12, 13)

The New Testament Church

We believe that a local New Testament Baptist church is a congregation of born-again, baptized believers, associated by commitment 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. Its only Scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly and emphatically defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. (Matthew 18:15-20, I Corinthians 1:1-13, I Corinthians 11:2, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41, 42, I Timothy 3, Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 5:25-27, Matthew 16:18)

Two Ordinances

We believe that Christian baptism has not part in the salvation of the soul but is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost to show forth faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour.  We believe that the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of the unleavened bread and new wine (non-fermented) are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, is to be preceded always with solemn self-examination.  (Acts 8:36, 39, John 3:22, 23, Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Acts 2:41, 42, I Cor. 11:23-24, Luke 22:14-20)

Creation

We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the gap theory, the day-age theory, theistic evolution, and intelligent design not attributed to God as unscriptural theories of origin. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11)

Civil Government

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 kings of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 22:21, Acts 5:29, Matthew 23:10)

World to Come

We believe that the end of this age is approaching. (I Peter 4:7)

We believe in “That blessed hope” – the personal, imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and in the pre-tribulation “Rapture” of the saints. (I Corinthians 15:51-58, Acts 1:11, I Thess. 4:13-18)

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in a literal Heaven, and the everlasting punishment of the lost in a literal burning lake of fire. (Acts 24:15, Matthew 24:31-46, Rev. 20:10-15, John 14:1-3, Revelation 21)

Separation

We believe that God’s people are to live holy lives separated from the world and wholly unto God.  The body of the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore Christians have no right to defile God’s temple by engaging in such things as alcoholic beverages, narcotic drugs, and immorality.  Christians are commanded to abstain from worldly amusements such as clubbing, bar hopping, provocative dancing, gambling, and other activities containing questionable, graphic or sexual audio/visual content (via online, fantasy, aviator, mobile, or in person) .  God’s people are to strive to do God’s perfect will for their lives, and to be holy vessels that God can use for His glory. (Romans 12:1-2, II Cor. 6:14-18, I Cor. 6:19-20, I Cor. 3:16-17, I John 2:15)

Evangelism 

We believe it is the express privilege and responsibility of every born-again believer to be actively involved in the preaching of the Gospel to every creature.  Jesus Christ commanded us to be His witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit, and any believer not following Jesus Christ will not be “fishing for men” and is living in direct disobedience to Christ’s Great Commission and ultimate purpose for His Ambassadors. (Mark 16:15, Matthew 4:19, 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 5:42, II Cor 5:18-21)

Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, 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. (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)

In keeping with our beliefs regarding human sexuality as expressed in this statement of faith and in keeping with our purpose as expressed in Section 16, 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, and 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 will preach consistently against all forms of sinful behavior as listed this section, as well as other sinful behaviors.

Family Relationships

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 in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. 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. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon or those administrative positions within the church that would consist of pastoral duties. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

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 of pregnancies 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; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

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. (Exodus 20:13, 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28)

Love

We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)

Lawsuits between Believers

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32)

Missions

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20)

Giving

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)