What We Believe
SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction consisting of the sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation ; that it has God as 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.
(See Psalms 119:160; Proverbs 30:5-6; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 4:4; 5:18; 1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God (an infinite, intelligent Spirit) whose name is JEHOVAH, the Creator, Sustainer, and Supreme Ruler of the heavens and the earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness; and 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.
(See Genesis 1:1; Exodus 6:2-3; Isaiah 42:8; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3; 10:30; 16:13-15;
2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:3-12; Colossians 1:16)
THE FALL OF 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, unable to attain to righteousness, therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
(See Genesis 1:27,31; 2:16-17; 3:1-7; 6:5; Jeremiah 13:23; 17:9; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-14)
THE WAY OF 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 made atonement for our sins by His death; being 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.
(See Isaiah 53:4-11; Matthew 1:21; John 10:11-18; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Peter 2:21-24)
ATONEMENT
We believe that by His perfect obedience to God’s law, and by a once-for-all offering up of Himself to God as a sacrifice through the eternal Spirit, the Lord Jesus has fully satisfied all the claims of divine justice. He has brought about reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those given to Him by His Father.
(See Isaiah 53:6,11-12; John 17:2; Romans 3:24 -26; Hebrews 9:11 -15,22; 10:5-10)
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ of His fullness bestows on such as have faith 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.
(See Isaiah 53:4-6; John 1:12-13; Romans 3:24-28; 5:17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Titus 3:4-7)
FREENESS 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.
(See Matthew 10:14-15; John 3:16-20; 5:43-47; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Timothy 1:15-16)
GRACE IN 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, affections, and will; and is effected in a manner above our comprehension or calculation, 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.
(See Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:13; 3:1 -8; Ephesians 2:1,4,5; Titus 3:5; Colossians 2:13)
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 genuine 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.
(See Zechariah 12:10; Acts 2:21; 11:18; 17:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Timothy 1:13-16)
GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that Election is the eternal and gracious choice of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves those whom He chooses; 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 is 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 our utmost diligence.
(See Isaiah 45:4; Romans 8:29 –30; Ephesians 1:4-5; Colossians 3:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:9;
2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9)
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, prayer, and ministry of the saints.
(See John 17:17; Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5,6,14-18,22; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:24;
Hebrews 10:23-25; 12:4)
PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from mere professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
(See Jeremiah 32:40; Matthew 24:13; John 10:27 -29; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5;
1 John 2:19; 3:9)
HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe 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 Scripture ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin. It is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church to restore this ability in fallen men to genuine obedience to the holy law through the one Mediator Jesus Christ.
(See Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 119:47,97; Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 3:31; 7:12; 8:3-4; 13:8-10;
1 Timothy 1:8-11)
A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe 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 proper officers are Pastors (also referred to as Elders and Bishops), and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
(See Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 2:38-47; Ephesians 4:4-16; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:5-9)
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in and union with a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its purifying power; and the Lord’s Supper, is a memorial in which the members of the church, by the use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
(See Luke 22:14-20; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; 8:12,35 -38; Romans 6:1-11;
1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Galatians 3:27)
CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be set apart to religious purposes. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, the Sabbath was the last day of the week; but when Christ’s resurrection took place, it was changed to the first day of the week, which is called the Lord’s Day. It is to be observed by abstaining from all secular labor and recreation; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; the performance of deeds of necessity and mercy, and by preparation for that rest which remains for the people of God.
(See Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Isaiah 58:13-14; Matthew 12:1-13;
John 20:1-9,19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Hebrews 4:8-11; Revelation 1:10)
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the Righteous and the Wicked; that only those who are through faith justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all who 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.
(See Exodus 20:5-6; Matthew 25:31-46; John 3:18-21,36; 5:24-29; Romans 8:5-9;
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 John 3:7-14)
LAST THINGS AND THE RETURN OF CHRIST
We believe in the literal, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one knows the day or the hour of His return except God the Father. With His return, saints then alive will be caught up and changed from their earthy, corruptible, mortal bodies to heavenly, incorruptible, immortal bodies; the dead will be resurrected – the righteous unto everlasting life and glory, the wicked unto damnation and everlasting torment and shame. At their resurrection, all mankind will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ, at which time their eternal state will be forever fixed. The righteous will inherit heaven and the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire. Both heaven and hell are literal and everlasting.
(See Daniel 12:2; Mark 13:24 -37; John 5:22-29; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52;
2 Corinthians 5:10-11)
We further believe that the teaching of the Return of Christ and Last Things should have as its primary goals the increase of holiness and hope in the saint, and the stripping away of complacency and false hope of the unbelieving and disobedient.
(See Matthew 7:21-23; 24:36-25:46; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Titus 2:11-13; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 22:20)