Statement of Faith
Article I—The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it is true, completely without error in its content; Therefore it is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
- By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
- By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by Holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernatural and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
- 3. The faithfulness of the King James version to the original languages (Textus Receptus) makes it the most trustworthy English version available and therefore the most acceptable for use in the ministry of our church.
Psalms 119:7-11; Luke 16:31; Romans 15:4; Psalms 119:89; Luke 24:25-27; Ephesians 6:17; Psalms 119:130; Luke 24:44-45; II Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; John 17:17; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalms 119:160; Acts 1:16; Revelation 22:19; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 3:4;
Article II—The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent, Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in 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 17:1; Mark 12:30; I Corinthians 8:6; Exodus 15:11; John 4:24; II Corinthians 13:14; Exodus 20:2-3; John 10:30; Ephesians 2:18; Psalms 83:18; John 15:26; Ephesians 4:6; Psalms 90:2; John 17:5; Philippians 2:6-8; Psalms 147:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Timothy 1:17; Jeremiah 10:10; Romans 11:33-34; I John 5:7; Matthew 28:19
Article III—The Holy Spirit
We believe 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 God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
Genesis 1:2; John 3:5-6; Romans 8:14; Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Romans 8:16; Matthew 28:19; 15:26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; Luke 1:35; John 16:13; II Thessalonians 2:7; Luke 3:16; John 16:7-11; II Thessalonians 2:13 Luke 24:49; Acts 5:30-32; Hebrews 9:14; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; I Peter 1:2
Article IV—The Devil and Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and The unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness, destined however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; I Thessalonians 3:5; Jude 6; Ezekiel 28:14-17; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; Revelation 9:11; Matthew 4:1-3; I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7-11; Matthew 13:25; 39 II Peter 2:4; Revelation 13:13-14; Matthew 25:41; I John 2:22; Revelation 19:19-20; Luke 22:3-4; I John 3:8; Revelation 20:1-3; John 14:30; I John 4:3; Revelation 20:10; Ephesians 2:2; II John 7
Article V—The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind”.
Genesis 1:1 Exodus 20:11 Acts 17:23-24 Genesis 1:11 Nehemiah 9:6 Romans 1:20 Genesis 1:24 Jeremiah 10:12 Colossians 1:16-17 Genesis 1:26-27 John 1:3 Hebrews 11:3 Genesis 2:21-23 Acts 4:24 Revelation 10:6
Article VI—The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:6-24 Romans 1:20, 28, 32 Galatians 3:22 Ezekiel 18:19-20 Romans 3:10-19 Ephesians 2:1-2 Romans 1:18 Romans 5:12,19
Article VII—The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman; and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son.
Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:18-25 John 1:14 Isaiah 7:14 Mark 1:1 Galatians 4:4 Psalm 2:7 Luke 1:35 I John 5:20
Article VIII—The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatory offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself 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; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; 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 all sufficient Savior.
Isaiah 53:4-7 Acts 15 11 II Corinthians 5:21 Isaiah 53:11-12 I John 2:2 Ephesians 2:8 Matthew 18:11 Romans 3:24-25 I Peter 2:24 John 3:16 I Corinthians 15:3 I John 4:10 John 10:18
Article IX—Grace in the New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the New Birth is a New Creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the New Birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is a partaker of the Divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the New Creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension; not by culture, not by character, not by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel, that it’s proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
Luke 15:7 Acts 2:41 Ephesians 2:8-9 John 1:12-13 Acts 16:30-33 Colossians 2:13 John 3:3 II Corinthians 5:17 Romans 6:23 John 3:6-8 II Corinthians 5:19 I John 5:1 John 5:1
Article X—The Freeness of Salvation
We believe in God’s electing grace, 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; that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
I Thessalonians 1:4 Isaiah 55:1 John 3:15-18 Colossians 3:12 Isaiah 55:6-7 I Timothy 1:15 I Peter 1:2 Revelation 22:17 Titus 1:1 I Corinthians 15:10 Romans 10:13 Ephesians 2:4-5 Romans 8:29-30 John 6:37 John 5:40 Matthew 11:28 Acts 2:38 John 3:36
Article XI—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 gift 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; His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Isaiah 53:11; Romans 4:1-8; Hebrews 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 5:1; Hebrews 10:38; Acts 13:39; Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Romans 1:7; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 5:9
Article XII—Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby being deeply convicted 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all sufficient Savior.
Mark 1:15; Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 20:21; Luke 12:8; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10:13; Luke 18:13
Article XIII—The Church
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a Covenant of 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 officers of ordination are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scripture; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) 1. To make individual disciples; 2. To build up the church; and 3. To teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that it is scriptural for the 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 membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, and the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 4:11; Acts 6:5-6 I Corinthians 12:4, 8, 11 Ephesians 5:23-24 Acts 14:23; Jude 3-4; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:22-23; II Corinthians 8:23-24; I Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-20; Ephesians 1:22-23; I Peter 5:1-4
Article XIV—The Security of the Believer
We believe that the Divine work of Regeneration is a one-time, complete, and irreversible act of God, the Holy Spirit, in response to the genuine faith and repentance of the convicted sinner. While we acknowledge the possibility and the probability of sin in the life of the believer after salvation due to the old sin nature, we do not in any way condone or give license to unrighteousness. The Lord chastens the disobedient Christian in order to bring about repentance. Continued rebellion can result in physical death for the sinning Christian.
Psalm 89:30-36; Romans 8:35-39; Titus 1:1; John 3:5; Colossians 3:3; I John 5:16; John 3:16, 18, 36; Hebrews 12:5-11; I John 5:13; John 5:24; I John 2:25; I Peter 1:3-6; John 10:27-28; Jude3 24-25
Article XV—The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are the 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 and after death; in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Genesis 18:23 Luke 16:25 Romans 11:17 Proverbs 11:31 John 8:21 I Corinthians 15:22 Malachi 3:18 Acts 10:34-35 I Peter 4:18 Matthew 7:13-14 Romans 6:16-18, 23 I John 2:29 Luke 9:26 Romans 7:6 I John 3:7
Article XVI—Civil Government
We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the Conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Exodus 18:21-22; Matthew 22:21; Philippians 2:10-11; II Samuel 23:3; Matthew 23:10; I Peter 2:13-14, 17; Psalm 72:11; Acts 4:19-20; Titus 3:1; Daniel 3:17-18' Acts 23:5' Revelation 10:6; Matthew 10:28; Romans 13:7
Article XVII—The Resurrection and Return of Christ
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their full and face value. Concerning the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily “the third day according to the Scriptures,” that He alone is our “merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God,” “That this same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven” bodily, personally, and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first,” that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,” “That the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father, David, and that “Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.”
Matthew 28:6-7; John 20:27; Mark 16:6, 19; I Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; I John 2:1; Hebrews 12:2; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:1, 6; John 14:3; Matthew 25:13; I Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 24:27-42; Isaiah 9:6-7; Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 9:28; Luke 1:32; I Thessalonians 4:17; Isaiah 11:4-5; Acts 2:29-30; Revelations 4:17; Isaiah 32:1; Luke 24:2,4-6, 39, 51; I Corinthians 15:25, 42-44, 51-53
Article XVIII—Missions
We believe the command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and that this commission was given to the church. It is, therefore, the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to be personally involved in this great task. It is the solemn duty of every child of God to consistently and conscientiously seek the salvation of the lost, in obedience to and accordance with the command of our Savior.
Matthew 28:18-20 Luke 24:46-49 Acts 1:8; Mark 16:14; John 20:21
Article XIX—Baptism
We believe that there is only one Baptism. To be scriptural, it must be by immersion in water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. There must also be the proper subject, as saved person; the proper authority, a church of the Lord Jesus Christ; the proper purpose, to show salvation, not procure. Any so-called baptism that does not meet these four conditions is not accepted as scriptural. Baptism sets forth the burial and resurrection of Christ and shows the individual’s salvation by death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ. It is an illustration by figure or symbol of salvation, or putting on a uniform showing that we are saved, done in obedience to Christ’s command. Baptism is not essential for salvation. There is not one passage in the Bible that teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation. Some passages have been interpreted to teach, but there is not one that really teaches it. There is no passage which says, “except ye be baptized, ye shall be lost.” This is said of both repentance and faith. There are many passages which plainly teach salvation without baptism. In the New Testament, only believers were baptized, and believers are saved; therefore, every true believer (a born again, saved individual) should be baptized, not in order to be saved, but because he is saved. There is also not one passage in the New Testament that in any way teaches infant baptism, either by word or example.
Romans 6:4, 11 John 6:35-40 Luke 13:3 Matthew 28:29-20 Acts 16:31-33 Acts 10:43 Ephesians 2:8 Mark 1:9 Titus 3:5-7 John 3:16 I Peter 3:21 John 3:18, 36 Acts 18:8 Acts 8:12 John 5:24 Acts 10:48 Mark 16:16 Acts 16:31 Mark 16:10 John 1:12 Galatians 3:27
Article XX—The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is one of the two Divine Ordinances given to the Church, the other being baptism. In the observance of the Lord’s Supper, baptized believers, by the use of unleavened bread and the wine commemorate together the sacrificial death of Christ, preceded always by a period of solemn self-examination.
Matthew 26:26-29 Luke 22:19:20 Acts 20:7 Mark 14:22-25 Acts 2:41-42 I Corinthians 11:17-29
Article XXI—The Grace of Giving
We believe that scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith. This grace of giving is manifested by the faithful and systematic giving of our tithes and offerings to the Lord through the local church. This is God’s Divine plan for financing the work of His church. If every Christian would practice faithful financial stewardship, it would finance the church and the cause of the Gospel around the world. In addition, they would receive.
Numbers 18:21-28 II Chronicles 31:5, 6, 12 Luke 6:38 Malachi 3:8-9 Nehemiah 10:37-38 Leviticus 27:30 Genesis 14:20 Genesis 28:22 I Corinthians 9:13-14 I Corinthians 16:2
