Our Beliefs About God

Statement of Faith:

1. Scripture:

We believe the Bible was written by men, divinely chosen, guided and enabled by the Holy Spirit; that both the Old and New Testaments are plenary and verbally inspired in the original manuscripts; 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.  The Bible is our sole authority and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19–21)

2. God:

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker, Supreme Ruler and Sustainer of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness; worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of 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. (Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11)

The Father:

We believe God the Father reigns in sovereignty sustaining His creation.  He is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, self-existent and immutable. (Psalm 18:14, 19:1-3, 33:11, 139:7-9; Isaiah 43:3, 15; 57:15, 64:8, 66:1; John 5:26; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 1:12; 1 Peter 1:17)

The Son, Jesus:

We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God, the eternal Son of God come in human form to reveal God to mankind.  In the incarnation, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus revealed God and obeyed the will of God, taking fully our humanity and identifying fully with mankind yet without sin. He died a vicarious death, was raised bodily, ascended into heaven and He is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, the only way mankind can be reconciled to God. He will return in power and glory to carry out the righteous judge of God on the world and to consummate His redemption of all things. (Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14)

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 the purposes of God are fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony: that He is the agent of the New Birth; that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. (Gen. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35, 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5, 6; 14:16, 17; 14:26; 16:8–11; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26, 27; Eph. 1:13, 14; Heb. 9:14.)

3. Man:

We believe that man was created in a state of 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, wholly given to the gratification of the world, of Satan, and of their own sinful passions, therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.  (Genesis 3:1–6; Romans 3:10-19; 5:12, 19; 1:18, 32)

4. Salvation:

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; being risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven; He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, an all-sufficient Savior who is even now making intercession for us. (Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14-17, 7:25)

Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced 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 as our Prophet, Priest, and King; and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. (John 1:12-13, 14:6; Acts 4:12, 26:20; Ephesians 2:4-6, 10; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:5)

Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved, we must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; it is the translation of that sinner into a new creature created in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence is found in the holy fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God. (Ezekiel 36:26; John 1:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:4-6, 10; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3)

The Free 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 except his own inherent depravity and voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, which refusal will subject Him to an aggravated condemnation. (John 3:15-21; Romans 3:10-18, 23-26; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9)

Purpose of Grace and Perseverance

We believe that election is the gracious 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; and that it is the foundation of Christian assurance. We believe that such as endure unto the end are genuine believers; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from mere professors; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 10:28-29; Romans 3:21-31, 8:29-30, 35-39; Ephesians 1:4, 2:10; Philippians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 1)

Justification

We believe that one of the great Gospel blessings which Christ of His fullness bestows on such as believe in Him, is Justification; that Justification consists in 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 His own redemption and righteousness, 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. (Romans 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9)

Sanctification and Glorification

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 and prayer.  The culmination of this process is Glorification, when we are transformed fully and finally into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.  (John 17:17; Romans 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23, 24; Hebrews 10:10-14; 3:1; 1 John 3:2-3; Jude 24-25; Revelation 22:11)

5. The Church

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and the fellowship of the gospel; (b) observing the ordinances of Christ; (c) governed by His Word; and (d) exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; (e) that its two officers are pastors or elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; (f) we believe the true mission of the church is the faithful proclamation of Christ to all men as we have opportunity (g) 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 head is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; (h) 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; (i) on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. We believe in the unity of the Body of Christ both in the local assembly and of all New Testament believers who compose the Church. (Acts 2:41-42, 15:13–18, 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 11:2, 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:1–6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13)

Ordinances

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father and Son, and Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its purifying power that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which true believers, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.  (Matthew 3:16, 28:18–20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42, 8:36, 38, 39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23–28; Colossians 2:12)

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 the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. (Exodus 18:21-22; 2 Samuel 23:3; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19-20, 5:29, 23:5; Romans 13:1-7)

6. Last Things

We believe that the end of this world is approaching. We believe in: (a) the imminent Second Coming of Jesus (Matthew 24:27, 42; 25:13; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; James 5:8; Hebrews 9:28); (b) the Resurrection and Glorification of the Righteous Dead (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16); (c) the complete transformation and Glorification of those living in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:17); (d) the revelation of Christ in power and great glory to sit on the Throne of David (Luke 1:32; Is. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30) (e) the Millennial Reign of Jesus on the Earth (1 Cor. 15:25; Ps. 72:8;  Is. 11:4-5, 32:1; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6)  We believe in a bodily resurrection of all men; the righteous to eternal life and the wicked to judgment and eternal punishment.  The radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked is: the righteous are justified only through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked because they have not believed in His name, and under the curse.  (Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 25:34–41; Luke 16:25; John 8:21; Romans 6:17-18, 23; 7:6; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 20:14-15)

7. Marriage:

We believe that marriage is a unique gift of God to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for one man and woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the only channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.  Therefore, we believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. (Genesis 1:27, 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 18-20; 7:1-16, 39-40; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4).

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