WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe in the Holy Scriptures, accepting fully the writings of the Old and New Testaments as the very Word of God, given by verbal inspiration and preserved in all parts unto all generations, an infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice; that it is a treasure of heavenly instruction that 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 that it therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the true basis of Christian unity, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (II Tim. 3:16,17; II Timothy 3:15; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 2:12; Phil. 3:16; I John 4:1).

We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent, perfect Spirit and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Supreme Ruler of the Universe; that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and all other perfections, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead, eternally existent, there are three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and that these three are equal in every Divine perfection and execute distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Jn. 4:24; Ex. 15:11; Mk. 12:30; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 10:30; Eph. 2:18).

We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, Who pre-existed; His Virgin Birth, where he was conceived by the Holy Spirit, freely took upon Himself human nature, yet without sin; honored the Divine law by His perfect obedience; His blood shed for atonement for our sins; His bodily resurrection; His bodily ascension into Heaven to be our Intercessor, where He is now enthroned in Heaven, to reign in eternal sovereignty, uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with Divine perfections; and that He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior and Lord (Jn. 8:58; Phil. 2:6, 7; Heb 5:8, 9; Isa. 53:3, 4; I Cor. 15; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 7:25).

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin; that He makes believers children of God through the New Birth, assuring them of Heaven, and by His indwelling enables Christians to live godly lives; that the baptism of the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ occurs at the moment of salvation; and that He gives gifts to believers so that they may serve and make complete the function of the Church (Jn. 16:8-11; Jn. 3:7, 16; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:22-23; I Cor. 12:13, 18).

We believe that man was created by the special act of God in a state of holiness, under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he voluntarily transgressed and fell from this holy state, in consequence of which all men are by nature and choice sinful and lost and have within themselves no possible means of salvation, being therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse (Gen. 2:7; Gen. 1:27; Gen. 3:6-24; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 2:13; Ezek. 18:19-20).

We believe in salvation by grace through faith, through the mediation of the Son of God; that salvation is the free gift of God, not by any virtue of works of men, but received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept salvation by faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own sinfulness; that all true believers possess the gift of eternal life, a perfect righteousness, sonship in the family of God, and the divine guarantee that they shall never perish (Eph. 2:8; Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:9; Rom. 10:9; Isa. 55:1; II Cor. 6:2; Jn. 5:41; Jn. 3:19; Jn. 10:28, 29).

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 promise of eternal life on the 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; that by means of such 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 (Jn. 1:16; Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:9, 17, 19; Rom. 4:4, 5; Rom. 5:1, 2).

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, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; this rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 16:26; Mk. 1:15; Jn. 5:40; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46; Jn. 3:19; II Thess. 1:8).

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension 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 appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life (Jn. 3:3; Rev. 8:7-9; II Cor. 5:17; Dt. 30:6; I Jn. 4:7; Jam. 1:16, 17; I Pet. 1:22-25; Col. 3:9-11; Eph. 5:9; Mt. 3:8-10; I Jn. 5:4, 18).

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 (Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:18; I Jn. 5:1; Jn. 16:8; Lk. 18:13; II Cor. 7:11; Ps. 51; Rom. 10:9-11; Heb. 4:14; Ps. 2:6; II Tim. 1:12).

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 throughout their earthly life, by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, through the Word of God, and through self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (I Thess. 4:3; Prov. 4:18; I Jn. 2:29; Phil. 2:12, 13).