I. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Proverbs 30:5-6; Luke 4:4; John 17:17; Romans 10:8, 17; Ephesians 5:26; John 12:47-48; Matthew 24:35; Mark 8:38; Revelation 22:18-19; Psalm 12:6-7; Jeremiah 15:16; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 1:16-17; 1 John 2:7; 1 Peter 1:23, 25; Hebrews 4:12
II. The True God
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, 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 Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Romans 3:30; 1 Timothy 2:5; Psalm 42:2; John 6:69; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 9:14; Jeremiah 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Psalm 147:5; John 4:24; Psalm 83:18; Psalm 95:6; Psalm 18:3; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:12; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:6-7
III. The Fall of Man
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:1-2; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 5:12; Genesis 6:12; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 3:23; Job 9:20; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; John 3:17-18; Isaiah 53:6; Galatians 3:22; John 5:24; Romans 8:1, 3; Psalm 9:17; Luke 12:5; Revelation 20:13-15
IV. 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.
Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:19; Psalm 86:15; Zechariah 12:10; John 1:14, 17; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:2; Romans 5:15, 17; Romans 11:5-6; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 2:7-8; Acts 20:32; 2 Corinthians 12:9
V. The Way of Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who according to the will of the Father, assumed our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all‑sufficient Savior.
John 3:17; John 4:42; John 10:9; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 1:16; Romans 5:10; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Titus 2:11; 2 Timothy 3:15; Titus 3:4-6; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 4:14
VI. Of Regeneration
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change wrought in the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which a new nature and a spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted, and the person becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus; a holy disposition is given to the mind, the will subdued, the dominion of sin is broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self, to a love of holiness and God; the change is instantaneous, effected solely by the power of God, in a manner incomprehensible to reason; the evidence of it is found in a changed disposition of mind, the fruits of righteousness, and a newness of life. And without it salvation is impossible.
John 3:3, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 6:4, 6; Romans 7:6; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 1:12-13; 2 Peter 1:4; John 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 6:11-12
VII. Of Repentance
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit; and consists in a godly sorrow for sin, as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one's sin and guilt, together with prayer for pardon; also by sincere hatred of sin, and a persistent turning away from, and abandonment of, all that is evil and unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated.
Luke 5:32; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20; Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:5; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; Romans 2:4; Job 42:6; Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 11:18; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Isaiah 4:7; Luke 18:13; James 4:6-8; 1 Peter 5:6
VIII. Of Faith
We believe the Scriptures teach that faith, as an evangelical grace wrought by the Spirit through the Word of God, is the medium through which Christ is received by the soul as its Sacrifice and Savior. It is an assent of the mind and a consent of the heart consisting mainly of belief and trust; the testimony of God is implicitly accepted and believed as true, while Christ is unreservedly trusted for salvation; by it the believer is brought into vital relations with God, freely justified, and lives as seeing Him who is invisible.
Luke 7:50; Romans 3:22; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:9; Galatians 3:26; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15; Romans 10:8-10; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:18; Romans 3:25; Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; Romans 4:5; Galatians 3:11; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:1, 6; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 5:4; Acts 16:31
IX. Of 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.
Exodus 23:7; Romans 8:33-34; Job 9:20; Luke 18:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Job 25:4; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:1, 9; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:26; Romans 4:25; Isaiah 50:8-9; Isaiah 53:11; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:24; Romans 3:28; Romans 8:30; Titus 3:7
X. Of Adoption
We believe the Scriptures teach that adoption is a gracious act, by which the Father, for the sake of Christ, accepts believers to the estate and condition of joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, by a new and spiritual birth, whereby they become members of the family of God; receiving the Spirit of adoption into their hearts, entitling to them all the rights, privileges and promises of children; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint‑heirs with Christ; reserving us to the heritage of the saints on earth, and an inheritance reserved in heaven.
John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:1-2; Colossians 1:12-14; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:1, 4-7; Ephesians 1:5, 11; Titus 3:5-7; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:5, 8-10; 1 Peter 1:3-4
XI. Of 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; that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means - especially the Word of God, self‑ examination, self‑ denial, watchfulness, and prayer; and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties.
Isaiah 5:16; Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 15:16; John 17:17, 19; Hebrews 2:10-11; Hebrews 10:10, 14; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Isaiah 8:13;
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:21; Acts 20:32; Hebrews 13:12-13; 1 Peter 3:15
XII. Of the Preservation of the Saints
We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end; that their preserved 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 1:12; John 3:15-16, 36; John 5:24; John 6:47; 1 John 5:1; John 10:28-29; John 11:25-26; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:5; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:11; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 John 3:2; Jude 1:24-25; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Colossians 1:12-13
XIII. The Law And the 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 arises entirely from their sinful nature; 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.
Romans 7:22, 25; Romans 8:7; Romans 7:12, 14; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11; Galatians 3:24; Luke 16:16; John 1:17; Romans 3:19; Romans 6:14; Romans 7:4; Romans 10:4; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 3:13, 21-22; Romans 9:31-32; Ephesians 2:15-16; Hebrews 7:12, 19
XIV. 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 pastors (elders, bishops), and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Ephesians 1:20-23; Acts 2:47; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 11:26; Acts 14:22; Acts 16:5; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 3:15; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28
XV. Christian Baptism
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; this ordinance shows forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior and our commitment to walk in newness of life. This emblem is an outward testimony as to work accomplished by the Holy Ghost=s baptizing of the believer into the body of Christ at salvation. Christian Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of Church membership.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 18:8; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 4:4-6; Galatians 3:27-28; Hebrews 6:1-2; 1 Peter 3:20-22
XVI. The Lord's Supper
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord's Supper is a provision of bread and wine, as symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood, partaken of by believers, in commemoration of the suffering and death of their Lord and the promise of His return; showing their faith and participation in the merits of His sacrifice, and their hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead; its observance to be preceded by faithful self‑examination.
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Hebrews 7:22-25; Hebrews 9:11-17, 24-28
XVII. The First Day of the Week
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity, 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.
Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-6, 9; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1, 11-17, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 10:23
XVIII. 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. But that civil rulers have no rights of control over, or of interference with, religious matters.
Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:29; Daniel 6:7, 10; Daniel 3:15-18; Psalm 2:1-3, 9-11; Psalm 72:11; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:10
XIX. 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 this life and after death.
Genesis 18:23; Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 14:32; Isaiah 5:20; Isaiah 55:6-7; Isaiah 57:21; Malachi 3:18; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 16:25; John 3:36; John 8:24; John 12:25-26; Acts 10:34; Romans 1:17; Romans 6:16, 18; Romans 6:22; Romans 7:6; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Galatians 3:10; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 5:19
XX. Of the Return of Christ
We believe the Scriptures teach that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth will be both physical and literal. His return will be in two distinct phases separated by a seven year period called the Tribulation. In the first phase of His Coming, Jesus will call his saints (both dead and alive) from the earth to meet Him in the air. At that time He will escort His Bride to heaven to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The second phase culminates in Jesus Christ returning to dwell on earth for a period of one thousand years. During this time he sets up His kingdom and throne in the city of Jerusalem on Mount Zion. At the end of the one thousand year Millennium there will be a final battle between Christ and Satan. Christ=s victory will result in Satan being cast into the Lake of Fire.
John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4;
1 Corinthians 15:20-24; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Luke 17:34-36; Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 20:2, 7, 10
XXI. Of the Judgment of Believers
We believe the Scriptures teach that there are two resurrections where God's judgments are manifested. The Judgment Seat of Christ is where saved believers appear to give account of their works, both good and evil, that follow them to heaven. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment to determine salvation, for all who appear at the Judgment seat of Christ are born again and are judged as to their works of service to the Saviour.
Hebrews 9:27; Psalm 7:11; 1 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Peter 1:17-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; John 12:48;
Revelation 20:4-6; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 18:3; John 3:5
XXII. Of the Judgment of the Lost
We believe the Scriptures teach that at the end of the Millennium (the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth) Death and Hell will give up the dead for final judgment and retribution before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment; that these wicked will be adjudged to sorrow and conscious torment in the Lake of Fire for ever, and that this judgment will fix the final state of all unsaved men with out remedy for eternity.
Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:12; Matthew 25:41, 46;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Daniel 12:2; Jude 1:6-7; Psalm 9:17; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:33; Luke 16:23-28; Revelation 14:10-11; Revelation 20:10
