THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the complete Word of God; that the sixty-six books, as originally written, comprising the Old and New Testaments were divinely inspired by the Spirit of God (and therefore entirely free from error); that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice and the true basis of Christian union (II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:21; Acts 1:16, 2:4; Mark 12:26-36; I Corinthians 2:13).
THE TRINITY
We believe in one God, Creator of all, holy, sovereign, eternal, existing in three persons, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Each person is to be honoured and worshipped equally as true God, who executes distinct but harmonious offices in the Godhead (Genesis 1:26; 3:22; 11:6-8; Isaiah 63:8-10; Matthew 28: 19-20; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelations 1:4-6).
GOD, THE FATHER
We teach the absolute and essential deity of the Father who is the author of all spiritual blessings, the sender of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit into the world, and the author of the plan of salvation. His kingdom comprises all whom He justifies and adopts as His children, the ruler of Heaven and Earth (John 3:16; 14:16; Romans 8:28,29; Ephesians 1:3-6).
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; who is the second Person of the Triune God, the eternal Word and Only Begotten Son. Without any essential change in His divine Person, He became man by miracle of the virgin birth, to continue forever as both true God and true Man, one Person with two natures. As Man He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. As the perfect Lamb of God He gave Himself in death upon the cross, bearing the sin of the world and suffering sin’s full penalty of divine wrath in our stead. He arose physically from the grave in a glorified body and as our Great High Priest He ascended into heaven to appear before the presence of God as our Advocate and Intercessor (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-14; John 3:16; I Corinthians 15:3-7; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:6-10; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 4:14-16; I John 2:1-2).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the absolute and essential deity and personality of the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; who regenerates, sanctifies, illuminates, and comforts those who believe in Jesus Christ. He leads us into all truth, He indwells all of God’s children by faith (John 7:38-39; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).
ANGELS
We believe that angels are distinct spiritual beings created by God. Angels concern themselves with the task of carrying out the will of God and ministering and offering holy praise to God. Angels are not to be worshipped by man. God uses angels to promote the work of the church and to strengthen and encourage His people. God will use angels to carry out the final judgment upon the earth (Psalm 104:4; Isaiah 5:1-7; Revelations 7:1-3; Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15; Acts 5:18-20; Daniel 6:22; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 91:11; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 2:7).
DEMONS
We believe that demons are distinct spiritual beings. Demons were originally good and holy; however, they disobeyed by rebelling against God. Demons’ two objectives are to extend the kingdom of Satan and to destroy the plan of God. They attempt these objectives through the use of natural and supernatural means. Their demonic power is limited in time and extent by the permissive will of God and they shall not prevail against Christ’s church. After the judgment, demons shall spend eternity in hell (II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 6:12; II Corinthians 11:14; I Peter 5:8; Matthew 8:29; Jude 6).
SATAN
We believe God created the angel Lucifer with more power and beauty than He gave to any other of his created beings. Filled with pride because of his own power and attainments, Lucifer revolted against the will of God and a multitude of angels followed him (Satan) in his rebellion. God in his sheer power could have crushed Satan; however, because of His character, justice came before power alone, therefore Christ’s death as the solution to man’s lostness fulfilled God’s justice. Satan is powerful but limited by God. God has equipped his believers with the power to defeat Satan by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Satan will be cast into hell for all eternity with his hosts. His other names are Lucifer, Prince of this World, Prince of the Power of the Air, and Beelzebub (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11,19; Ephesians 6:12; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Revelations 12:9-11; Revelations 20:10).
MAN
We believe God created all men equal in His own image with the capacity to reason and the right to make choices. By personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man, in Adam, became a sinful creature. Man is totally sinful in both nature and practice, causing alienation from the life and family of God. This manifests itself in both spiritual and physical death. Man is under the righteous judgment and wrath of God and has within himself no means of salvation (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-19; Galatians 3:4).
MARRIAGE, THE FAMILY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION
We believe God has ordained the institution of marriage between one man and one woman. The family is the most basic unit in human organization created for the propagation of life when possible and preparing children as persons of moral virtue and godly faith and service, the most essential ingredient in a just society. God decrees lifelong monogamous marriage between one man and one woman which forbids sexual infidelity. This leaves no room for the abortion of "unwanted" children. Neither does the Bible condone homosexuality. However, God promises forgiveness when repentance is genuine (Genesis 1:28; 2:21-24; Mark 10:2-9; Proverbs 3:1-10; Proverbs 22:6; Exodus 21:22-23; Romans 1:26-17; I Corinthians 6:18-20).
SALVATION
We believe that men are sinners and are unable to save themselves and that, but for the marvelous grace of God, are destined to eternal damnation. We believe that God, in His sovereign will and infinite love, has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for man’s sins, thereby justifying those who are called by God to righteousness in His eyes. God’s sanctifying work in our lives is a continual process toward our growing and maturing in Christ. Salvation, which is divinely preserved, is a gift from God which can be received only through our repentance of our sin to God and through faith in Jesus Christ, His death and His resurrection (John 3:14-17; Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:21-24; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 13:38-39; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:3,9; Titus 2:11; John 2:9; Romans 8:29; Philemon 1:6).
FUTURE THINGS
We believe in the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ, which will be personal, bodily, and visible. This is the believer’s blessed hope and is a source of encouragement, consolation, and inspiration for faithful service. We believe that there shall be a bodily resurrection for everyone. After judgment for the just, a resurrection of eternal life in heaven, and, for the unjust, a resurrection unto judgment and eternity in hell (I John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 3:13; I Thessalonians 4:14-17; II Thessalonians 1:5-10; Jude 14).
THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that a church is a company of immersed believers, called out from the world, separated unto Jesus, voluntarily associated for the ministry of the Word, the mutual edification of its members, the propagation of the faith, and the observance of the ordinances. We believe it is a sovereign, independent body, exercising its own divinely awarded gifts, precepts, and privileges under the Lordship of Christ, the Great Head of the church. We further believe that the spiritual leadership of the church is invested in its principal officers, Pastors/Elders, and Deacons (Acts 2:41; II Corinthians 6:16, 17; Ephesians 4:12, 13; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23; Titus 1:5; I Timothy 3:1-13).
ORDINANCES
We believe that there are only two ordinances for the church regularly observed in the New Testament in the following order:
- Baptism which is the immersion of a believer in water, whereby he obeys Christ’s command and sets forth his identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4,5; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:36-39).
- The Lord’s Supper (or Communion) which is the memorial wherein the believer partakes of the two elements, which symbolize the Lord’s body and shed blood, proclaiming His death until He comes. It is one of two ordinances that has been given by our Lord. This ongoing ordinance is a constant reminder of His sacrifice and the price He paid for our salvation. Therefore, each believer should do all in his power to attend each celebration of the Lord’s Supper to fulfill the biblical command, to fellowship with others of like mind, and to express thanks to God for His unspeakable gift (1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Luke 22:14-20).
CHURCH & STATE
- Two of the three institutions ordained by God; the church to propagate the gospel and equip the saints, the state to preserve justice and promote social order and peace. The church preaches against lying. The state legislates against fraud and perjury.
- The Christian as an individual is called to active participation in approving and advancing the divinely willed function of government through prayer for our rulers, showing respect, paying taxes, and giving honour, except in things opposed to the revealed will of God.
- The Government is to exercise its power with justice in restraining evil and honouring good. Our laws recognizing the separation of church and state were originally intended to prevent the formation of a national church and for government interference in the work of the church. This separation is now used to silence the church. We are required to be submissive but not silent when roles are abused (Hebrews 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-4; Titus 3:1-2; Acts 5:29; I Peter 2:12-18).
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
We believe that everyone has the right to practice and propagate his belief. Therefore we must fervently protect the religious rights and freedom of all citizens even while, with the same fervor, we proclaim the whole gospel of Christ. The freedom to worship and serve a living God accommodates irreligion. Even the freedom to sin is a necessary part of life in a fallen society, but with sin comes consequences (Joshua 24:15;Romans 6:23).
THE LORD'S DAY
We believe that:
- A weekly day of rest and worship was instituted at creation and reaffirmed under Mosaic law (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:8).
- The Lord Jesus Christ made it His habit to keep such a day as made for man (Mark 2:27; Luke 4:16).
- Observing a day of rest and worship bears testimony to the greater rest in the life to come (Hebrews 4:1-11).
- Sunday is an appropriate day for this observance because it was the day of our Lord’s resurrection and most of His appearances. Pentecost, the historic birthday of the Church, occurred on a Sunday. Sunday was often the day when New Testament Christians met together (Matthew 28:1; John 20:19; Leviticus 23:6, 15, 16; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2).