Our Beliefs

We are a Baptist people who believe in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural Christ, Who had a supernatural birth, Who spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who lived a supernatural life, Who died a supernatural death, Who rose in supernatural splendor, Who intercedes as a supernatural priest, and Who will one day return in supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.

Of Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change 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.”

Gen. 1-2; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3

 

Of 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.

Gen. 3; Rom. 5:10-16; Rom. 1-3:23

 

Of the Atonement for Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him 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. He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour.

John 3:17; Acts 16:30-33; Rom. 10:9-13; Heb. 9:22

 

Of The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore 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 does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. By “inspired” 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 supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have every been or ever will be inspired.

II Tim. 3:16- 17; II Peter 1:19-21

We believe that the Holy Spirit providentially preserved His Word by superintending the translation of the 1611 “Authorized” or King James Version of the Bible and that it is the only pure and authoritative Word of God in the English language.

Psa. 12:6-7

 Sanctification

We believe that we are called with a holy calling to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and to live in the Spirit that we shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Every saved person possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the new nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural.

Rom. 5:16-25; Rom. 6:13; Rom. 8:12-13; Rom. 13:14; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:1-10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9 

 

Of The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, 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 the unity of the God-head 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.

I Tim. 1:17; I Tim. 6:16; John 4:24; John 5:26-27

Of The Devil, or Satan

We believe that Satan was once without sin 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 in back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the power of darkness; he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

Isaiah 14; Job 1-2; I Peter 5:8; Rev. 20:1-10

Of The Holy Spirit

We believe that 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 convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; 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.

John 14:16-17; John 14:26; Heb. 9:14; Romans 8:14-27

Of 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 an obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

John 3:13; John 36; I Thess. 1:4; Rom. 10:13

Of Jesus Christ

We believe in the absolute Deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; that He was both human and divine; that He was the very God, existing from all eternity, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit; that He never ceased to be God for one instant and that His humiliation did not consist in laying aside His deity; that, as man, He was miraculously begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; that He lived a holy and righteous life without any taint of sin that He might be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

John 1:1-2; I John 5:20; Hebrews 1:1-12; Luke 1:26-35

Of 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 that solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed to us.

John 3:13, 36; 5:40; I Thess. 1:4; Rom. 10:13

Of 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 Saviour.

Acts 20:21; 2:37-38; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Rom. 10:9-11

Of the Local Church

We believe in the unity of all born-again believers in the Church which is the Body of Christ, which was established at His death on the Cross (Eph. 2:16), and that all believers, from the Cross to the Rapture, both Jew and Gentile, are added to this Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the exact time that they receive Jesus Christ as Saviour. We believe that this Church is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws in accordance with the Pauline revelation, exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; and that its officers are bishop and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.
We believe the true mission of the church is for the edification, perfection, exhortation and comfort of its members in spiritual matters; the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. 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 the one and only head and shepherd of the local church is the God-called and Spirit-filled Bishop, just as Jesus Christ is the Head and Chief Shepherd over the entire Church; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that in all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

Acts 1:5, 2:4, 41, 47; 15:13-18, 20:17-28, I Cor. 11:2, 12:12-13; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:10, 22, 23; 3:1-6, 4:11-16, 5:23; Col. 1:18; I Tim. 3:1-7; Heb. 13:7; I Peter 5:1-4

Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in a manner that does not bring reproach on the Saviour and Lord; that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded by God; that each members should be separated from the world and should show this in action and dress; therefore, the dress of women members should be consistent with scriptural prerequisites. Any woman in leadership capacity (choir, nursery, teaching, pianist, organist, assistants, and so forth) shall be consistent in dress with the manner set forth in the scriptures. (I Tim. 2:9; I Peter 3:3). No one shall serve in any leadership capacity who partakes of alcoholic beverages or uses tobacco and/or drugs. Each person shall dress appropriately and modestly as befits one who walks in the image of God. We believe that our ministry is one of a faithful witness to all persons; teaching them in the Gospels so as “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:18). We are persuaded that we are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; therefore, separation from others whose teachings are contrary to the direct, clear, and revealed Word of God, is to be strictly adhered to.

Rom. 12:1-2; II Cor. 6:14; 7:1; Eph. 5:11, II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17

Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is the prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of His death until He comes, the bread speaking of His broken body, the fruit of the vine speaking of His shed blood; that it is preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-5; I Cor. 11:23-28

On the Security of the Saints

We believe that all who receive Christ as Saviour, by faith, are born from above and are eternally secure in Christ; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Rom. 8:35-39

Of 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 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 everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

Rom. 6:16-23; 7:6; 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:7, 29; Luke 16:25

Of 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 only 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

Matt. 24:5, 11, 24; Mark 16:17-20; Acts 2:4-5, 43; 3:7, 12, 5:12;
I Cor 1:21-22;Heb. 2:3-4; James 5:14-16

Of Things to Come

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 so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” – bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first,” then the living saints “shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,” to be “changed in a moment, the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump”; that this is followed by seven years of tribulation on the earth culminated by the literal coming to the earth by Christ, to conquer and set up the millennial kingdom, reigning on “the throne of His father David” for a thousand years in righteousness; that the wicked shall then stand before the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their final doom in the Lake of Fire; that Christ will then create a new heaven and earth on which believers will dwell with Him forever.

Matt. 28:6-7; I Cor. 15:4; Acts 1:9-11; I Thess. 4:13-18; I John 2:1-2; Rev. 20:1-6; I Cor. 15:25, 42-44, 51-53

Of Missions

We believe that the command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this commission was given to the churches as its marching orders.

Matt. 28:18-29; Mark 16:15; Luke 14:23; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:13-15

Of Spiritual gifts, Miracles, Signs, and Wonders

We believe the gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians 12 are given, today, for ministry to all parts of the body of Christ with the exception of those gifts which are specifically called “signs.” Those gifts which are signs, wonders, or miracles were given by the Spirit during the beginning of the Church in The Acts of the Apostles for these purposes: (1) to identify an “apostle,” (2) to get the Jews to listen to the gospel or to believe a new revelation, and (3) to confirm the Word of Scripture that was being spoken by the apostles, but was not yet in written form as we have the Scriptures today. Since there are NO apostles present today and the gospel ministry is almost totally to the Gentiles, and we have a complete Bible, we reject “speaking in tongues” and “supernatural healing” as found in the apostolic ministry (we believe God heals today in accordance with His Word and divine will through faith and confession); and any other sign or wonder as heresy and “lying signs and wonders” produced by Satanic power in these last days to deceive the whole world.

Matt. 24:5, 11, 24; Mark 16:17-20; Acts 2:4-5, 43; 3:7, 12, 5:12;              I Cor. 1:21-22; Heb. 2:3-4; James 5:14-16

Of Separation of Church and State

We believe in the authority of the local church and its separation from political and state entanglements; that the local church (and all its ministries) is taught to be a self-governing autonomous body, separate from the state or ecclesiastical interference through religious-political bosses.

Matt. 22:21; Acts 4:19-20, 5:29; 6:1-6

Of 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 made 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, nor 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 its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

John 3:3, II Cor. 5:17; John 1:12-13