Section 1. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (II Timothy 3:16-17); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (II Timothy 3:15), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (Proverbs 30: 5,6); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (Romans 2:12; John 12:47-48), and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (Philippians 3:16), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (I John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20).
Section 2. THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, Whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (John 4:24; Psalm 147:50, 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:10), inexpressibly glorious in holiness (Exodus 15:11), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11), and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 15:16), equal in every divine perfection (John 10:30), and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14).
Section 3. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (Genesis 1:27,31; Ecclesiastes 7:29), but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12); in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (Romans 5:19; John 3:6; Psalm 51:5); not by constraint but by choice (Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18); being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (Ephesians 2:13; Romans 1:18, 31; 2:1-6), without defense or excuse (Ezekiel 18:19,20; Romans 1:20; 3:19).
Section 4. THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Ephesians 2:5; I John 4:10), through the Mediatorial offices of the Son of God (John 3:16; 1:1-14), Who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature yet without sin (Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:9,14), honored the divine law by His personal obedience (Isaiah 42:21; Philippians 2:8), and by His death made a full atonement for our sins (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25); that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven (Hebrews 1:8; Colossians 3:1), and united in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (Hebrews 7:25,26; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18).
Section 5. JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8) secures to such as believe in Him is justification (Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1); that justification includes the pardon of sin (Romans 5:9), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5,6); 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 (Romans 5:19; 3:24-28); 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 5:1-3; 11; Matthew 6:33).
Section 6. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel of Christ (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith (Romans 16:26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17), and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel of Christ (John 5:40; Romans 9:32), which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (John 3:19; Matthew 11:20).
Section 7. GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (John 3:3,6,7); that the regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (II Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 2:28,29); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel of Christ (I Peter 1:22-25; I John 5:1; Ephesians 4:20-24), and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life (Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-2).
Section 8. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls in regeneration (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18, Ephesians 2:8; I John 5:1) whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (John 16:8; Acts 2:37,38; 16:30,31), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (Luke 18:13; James 4:7-10), 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 (Romans 10:9-13; Acts 3:22,23).
Section 9. GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners (II Timothy 1:8,9; Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 11:5,6); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (II Thessalonians 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16); that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (Exodus 33:18-19; Matthew 20:15; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 9:23,24; 11:28-36); that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy (I Corinthians 4:7; 1: 26-31; Colossians 3:12); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel of Christ (I Thessalonians 1:4-10); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (Romans 8:28-31; 11:29); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (II Peter 1:10,11; Philippians 3:12).
Section 10. SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness (I Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; II Corinthians 7:1); that it is a progressive work (Proverbs 4:18; II Peter 1:5-8; Philippians 3:12-16) that it is begun in regeneration (John 2:29; Romans 8:5; Philippians 1:9-11); 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 (Philippians 2:12,13; Ephesians 4:11,12; I Peter 2:2).
Section 11. THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are true believers as endure unto the end (John 8:31; I John 2:27,28; 3:9), that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from those making superficial professions (I John 2:19; Matthew 13:20,21), that a special providence watches over their welfare (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33), and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace. (Philippians 1:6; 2:12,13; Jude 24,25).
Section 12. THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government (Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17); that it is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12,14,33; Galatians 3:21), and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribes to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin (Romans 8:7,8; Jeremiah 13:23), to deliver from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the Gospel of Christ, and the means of grace connected with the establishment of the church (Romans 8:2,4; 10:4; Jude 20,21; Matthew 16:17,18).
Section 13. A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that the church of Christ is a visible congregation of baptized believers (I Corinthians 1:1-13; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel of Christ (Acts 2:41,42,47; II Corinthians 8:5; I Corinthians 5:12,13), observing the ordinances of Christ (I Corinthians 11:2, 23; II Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-20); governed by His laws (Matthew 28:20; John 14:15, 21; I John 4:21), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word (Ephesians 4:7; I Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:27); that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons (Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Timothy 3), and that while both men and women are gifted for service in the Church, the scriptural offices of pastor and deacons shall be occupied only by men whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus. This Church does not ordain women as deacons or Pastors.
Section 14. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (Acts 8:39; Matthew 3:5,6; John 3:22,23), in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47,48), to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effects, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12); that it is a prerequisite to the privilege of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41,42; Matthew 28:19,20), in which the members of the church by the sacred use of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (unfermented grape juice), are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (I Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 26:26-29), preceded always by solemn self-examination (I Corinthians 11:28; 5:1, 8).
Section 15. THE LORD’S DAY
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7; Colossians 2: 16,17; John 20:19; I Corinthians 16:1,2), and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (Exodus 20:8; Revelation 1:10; Psalm 118:24) by abstaining from secular labor and all sinful recreations (Isaiah 58:13,14; 56:2-8), by the devout observation of all means of grace, both private (Psalms 118:15) and public (Hebrews 10:24,25; Acts 11:26; 13-44), and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God (Hebrews 4:3-11).
Section 16. THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society (Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 16:18, II Samuel 22:30); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed (Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13; I Timothy 2:1-8), except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 3:15-18; 6:7-10), who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:16; Psalm 72:11).
Section 17. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Romans 6:16); that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem (Romans 1:17; u:6; 6:18-22; I John 2:29; 3:7), while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse (I John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; John 3:36); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (Proverbs 14:32; 10:24; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24).
Section 18. THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of this world is approaching (I Peter 4:7; I Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 24:35); that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11) and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. A solemn separation will then take place (Matthew 13:37-43, 49; 24:30-31; 25: 31-33); that the unbeliever (Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:12-59; John 3:18; John 5:28-29) will be adjudged to endless punishment and the believer to endless joy (Matthew 25:35-41; Revelation 22:11; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 6:22), and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness (Romans 3:5,6; II Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1,2; Romans 2:2-16).
Section 19. THE FAMILY
1. We believe marriage was ordained by God as one male and one female becoming one flesh. We believe it was God’s original design that a man and a woman enter the marriage union for life. (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:2; Ephesians 5:22-32).
2. We believe God has provided for intimate sexual relations between man and woman within the covenant of marriage; sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage, including homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, adultery, fornication, pedophilia, among others alluded to in God’s Word, are a sin. We believe acts that defile God’s human creation, such as gender modification, through medical procedures or by appearance, and participation in the sexual degradation of others through pornography, are attacks against the family unit, are against the will of God, and are sins (Genesis 2:24; 19:5,13; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6:6-10; 7:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:3-5; I Thessalonians 4:8).
3. We believe in the sanctity of human life. We believe human life begins at conception, and from conception through the elderly adult years life should be respected as a creation of God. We believe abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, suicide, assisted suicide, and other similar acts are acts of murder and therefore against the will of God. (Genesis 1:27; Exodus 20:13; Leviticus 19:32; Job 12:12; Psalms 139:13,14; Isaiah 44:2,24; Jeremiah 1:5; Romans 9:20-22; I Timothy 5:1-2).
4. We believe children are a blessing from God and are to be taught spiritual and moral va
