WHAT
WE BELIEVE
In
the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Bible as
given in the original manuscripts, which constitute
the inerrant Word of God in all matters in which it
speaks. 2Tim 3:16-17; 2Pet 1:19-21.
In
the Trinity of the Godhead: one God eternally existing
in three equal Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Exodus 20:2-3; 1Cor 8:6.
In
the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary
death, bodily resurrection, and imminent,
premillennial coming of Christ. Isa. 7:14; 1Cor 15:4;
1Thess 4:13-18; Heb 2:17-18, 5:9-10.
In
the personality of the Holy Spirit. It is He who calls
and regenerates believers. He baptizes them into
Christ. He indwells, seals and fills the believer for
service. John 3:5-6, 14:16-17,26; Eph 1:13-14.
In
the Lords healing power both in prayer and faith. Prayer
of Faith James 5:15
In
the direct creation of the universe and man by God, as
set forth in the Genesis account, and apart from any
process of evolution. Gen.1,2; Col 1:16-17.
In
the fall, total depravity and guilt of the race of
Adam, which for man’s salvation necessitates the
sovereign, divinely initiated deliverance of the
sinner by the Grace of God in Christ. Gen 3:1-6; Rom.
In
the eternal salvation of all individuals who put their
trust in Christ and His shed blood. 2Cor 5:21; Eph
2:8; 1Pet 2:24.
In
the unity of all true believers in the Church which is
the Body of Christ. 1Cor 12:12-13; Eph 1:22-23.
In
the local church as a company of baptized (immersed)
believers, associated by a covenant of faith and
fellowship of the Gospel. The true mission of the
church is to be found in the Great Commission: first,
to make disciples; second, to baptized them; third, to
instruct new disciples as He has commanded. It is to
observe the ordinances of Christ (immersion and the
Lord’s Table). 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 its one and only Head is Christ
through the Holy Spirit. The ordinance of baptism is
for believers only by immersion and is a pre-requisite
for membership in the local church. Officers in the
New Testament local church are pastors and deacons.
Acts 2:41-42, 20:17-28; 1Tim 3:1-13.
In
the obedience to the Biblical command to separate
entirely from worldliness and ecclesiastical apostasy
unto God.
In
the personal existence of angels, demons and Satan.
Mat 4:1-11; Rev 20:10.
In
the bodily resurrection, immortality and rapture of
all believers at Christ’s imminent coming.
In
the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal
covenant people and that she will be regathered in the
Holy Land from her dispersion among the nations and
that she will, as a nation, be saved in a day at the
Second Advent of Christ. Gen 13:14-17; Ezek 37.
In
the eternal life and blessedness of all believers and
the eternal existence and punishment of all
unbelievers. Mal 3:18; Mat 25:34-41; Rev 20:14-15.
In
prayer as both a command and a provision of God. It is
the blessed channel by which blessings of mercy and
grace are appropriated. It is essential to daily
living and is the secret power, comfort and effective
service. Accent in the early church was the Word and
prayer. Ps. 55:16-17; Luke 18:1.