Doctrinal Statement

1. We believe that the very words of the original writings of the Bible were inspired by God, and that the Bible is the complete and authoritative Word of God. It is the only safe guide for faith and conduct. II Timothy 3:16-17; 11 Peter 1:21.

2. We believe in the eternal existence of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is one in purpose but three in personality, and all three persons have all the attributes of God and personality. Matthew 28:19; 11 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3-4.

3. We believe in the virgin birth, the substitutionary death, the bodily resurrection, and the premillenial return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:18-25; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Matthew 24:30, 42; Revelation 19:11-20:7.

4. We believe that all men in their natural state are dead in trespasses and sins, alienated from God, and in need of the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:18; John 3:18, 36.

5. We believe that salvation is available to sinners entirely apart from their own works of righteousness through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work. Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5.

6. We believe that every person who trusts In the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior has a perfect standing before God, because his sins have all been borne by Christ on the cross, and the perfect righteousness of Christ has been imputed to him. Romans 3:21-28, 5:1; Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 2:10.

7. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent in the New Birth; that He indwells, seals, teaches, guides, helps, and sanctifies the believer. We believe that the Spirit of baptism takes place in the life of every believer at the moment of salvation. The filling of the Holy Spirit will be evidenced through a holy life and not through a demonstration of "revelatory gifts"; we are not in agreement with the modern-day charismatic movement. Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 4:30; John 14:26; Romans 8:14, 26; II Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:18.

8. We believe that every truly born-again Christian is secure in Christ and will never fall from God's saving grace. John 10:28-29; Romans 8:28-29.

9. We believe that the rapture of the church is imminent and thus will precede the Tribulation.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:9.

10. We believe that there are two distinct classes of people, the saved and the lost; that eternal destiny is sealed at death, that the saved will spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ while the lost will be eternally separated from God in conscious torment in hell. I Corinthians 1:18; Luke 19:10, 16:19-31.

11. We believe that Scriptural water baptism is an immersion in water on confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although not necessary for salvation, it is an expression of identification with Jesus Christ. I Peter 3:21.

12. We believe in the observance of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ's death. It is only for saved people living in obedient fellowship with the Lord Jesus. I Corinthians 11:23-26.

13. We believe that there is a real spirit personality known as the devil and Satan who is the adversary of God and man. He and vast numbers of demons under his dominion are exercising an influence over the lost and even over Christians who give place to him. Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 5:1ff; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8-9; II Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:2.

14. We believe that every saved person has been identified with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension and ought, therefore, to live a holy life. Ephesians 6:1-13.

15. We believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ and that bearing witness to the Saviour is one of the best evidences of a work of grace in the life. Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15.

16. We believe the qualified participants in the local assembly to be baptized believers who are walking in fellowship with the Lord. The identifying mark of being a part of the fellowship will be a faithful attendance of all the gatherings of the church except when hindered by reasons acceptable in the sight of the Lord. Hebrews 10:25.

17. We believe that every child of God is responsible to separate himself from all worldliness, from influences and personal habits which are defiling, and from any unequal yoke with the unbelieving. We also believe a Christian dedicated to Jesus Christ cannot be a pledged member of the Masons or such secret societies which in themselves are a man-made religion denying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I John 2:15-17; II Timothy 2:21; II Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (which includes Christians who are fornicators).

18. We believe that every child of God should practice compassion, forbearance, and patience toward his brethren in the Lord, forgiving and forgetting any wrongs done against him, refraining from all gossip and unkind criticism, and always seeking to help the weak and to correct the erring. We believe that his conduct toward all who are outside the assembly should be honest and above reproach at all times. Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-14, 4:5; I Peter 4:8; Galatians 6:1; 1Thessalonians 4:12.

19. We believe that the Lord's work should be supported by His people as He prospers them, and that very Christian should willingly assume responsibilities for service In the local assembly as the Lord directs. 1Corinthians 16:2; 11 Corinthians 9:7; Galatians 6:6.

20. We believe that the assembly is to exercise discipline over its members according to the pattern set forth in the Scripture, and that every believer within the assembly should willingly submit himself to that discipline. Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.