Section
1. 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.
1. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God but IS the very Word of God.
2. By "inspiration" 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 ever been or ever will be inspired.
3. Believing the Authorized King James translation of the Holy Bible is superior in both its source and method of translation, and accepting it as thoroughly accurate throughout, we use it exclusively in our preaching and teaching ministries.
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psa. 119:160; Psa. 119:105; Psa. 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:2-3; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:45-47; John 5:39.
Section
2. Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only
one, living and true God, an 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 Godhead there are
three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine
perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of
redemption.
Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4-6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14.
Section
3. 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 restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled;
that He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; 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; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; II Thes. 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16; II Thes. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27.
Section
4. Of the Devil or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy,
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 back of the
present apostasy, the lord of the anti-Christ, and the author of all the powers
of darkness. Destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son
and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and
his angels.
Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4; Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thes. 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3; I Pet. 5:8; Zech. 1:3; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:25, 37-39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; II Thes. 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11, 16-20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41.
Section
5. Of the Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of
creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or
figuratively; 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
changes 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. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:21-23; Gen. 1:11; Gen. 1:24.
Section
6. 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. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:10-19; Eph. 2:1, 3; Rom. 1:18; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:32; Rom. 1:20; Rom. 1:23; Gal. 3:22.
Section
7. Of the Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was
begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no
other man was ever or can be born of woman; and that He is the Son of God, and
God the Son.
Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 27; Gal. 4:4; I John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47.
Section
8. 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 the 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 and uniting in His wonderful
person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way
qualified to be a suitable and compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.
Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2.
Section
9. 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
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; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; I John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 3:8; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9.
Section
10. 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 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; which
rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
I Thes. 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isa. 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36.
Section
11. 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 on consideration of any
works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the
Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Acts 13:29; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 5:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:18; Heb. 10:38.
Section
12. 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,
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; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11
Section
13. Of the Church
We believe that a church of Christ is
a congregation of baptized believers associated together by a covenant of faith
and fellowship of the gospel: observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by
His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by
His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders and deacons
whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures;
we believe that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission;
First, to make individual disciples; Second to build up the church; Third, to
teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal
of this order; 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 the one and only superintendent is Christ through the
Holy Spirit; 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
ever church is the sole and only judge of the measure and methods of its
cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of
discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41; Acts 2:42; I Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-7; I Tim. 3:8-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:22-23; I Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13.
Section
14. 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 Ghost with the authority of the local church 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 prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's
Supper in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine
(denoting Scriptural term; grape juice is used during observance of this
ordinance), are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded
always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-28.
Section
15. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that such only are real
believers as endure unto the end, that their persevering attachment to Christ is
the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors, that a
special Providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the
power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21; I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21; Rom. 8:23; Matt. 6:30; Psa. 121:3; Heb. 1:14; I Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28; John 10:29; John 16:8; Rom. 8:35-39.
Section
16. 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 the everlasting
felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:18; Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Rom. 6:16; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34-41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt. 7:13-14.
Section
17. Of the Family
We believe that God created mankind male and female with the command and purpose to be fruitful, to multiply, and to replenish the earth. Accordingly, God ordained marriage exclusively as one male and one fernale becoming one flesh. We believe children, the natural fruit of God's design of marriage, are a heritage of the Lord, to be taught spiritual and moral values by their parents, who are to rear them with loving discipline following the example and instruction of the Lord. We believe that God designed the marriage union for life and has provided for intimate sexual relations exclusively between husband and wife within the bonds of marriage; sexual relations outside of the bonds of marriage, including fornication, adultery, incest, sodomy, bestiality, 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. We believe in the sanctity of human life. We believe human life begins at conception, and from conception through elderly adult years 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 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:2; Ephesians 5:22-32; Genesis 33:5; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalms 78:4-7; Psalms 127:3-5; Psalms 128:3-6; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:1-4; Hebrews 12:7-10; 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; 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
Section
18. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of
divine appointment, for the interest 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 the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only
Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14; I Pet. 2:17; Acts 5:29; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Rev. 10:6; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11.
Section
19. Of the Resurrection and Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred
Scripture upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the
Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the
Scriptures," that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God," 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;" that the living saints
"shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump;" "That the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and
that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all
enemies under His feet."
Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2, 4-6; Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2; Heb. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; John 14:3; I Thes. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 25:13; Jas. 5:8; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:28; I Thes. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44; I Cor. 15:52; I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thes. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21; Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6.
Section
20. Of Missions
The command to give the gospel to the
world is clear and unmistakable, and this Commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Mark 16:15. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
John 20:21. "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Romans 10:13-15. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
Section
21. Of the Grace of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the
fundamentals of the faith.
II Corinthians 8:7. "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
I Corinthians 16:2. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Under grace we give, and do not pay the tithe - "Abraham GAVE a tenth part of all" -- Abraham GAVE the tenth part of the spoils" -- Hebrews 7:2-4 - and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye ought to have done" - Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30. "The tithe is the Lord's."
Malachi 3:10. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church. Acts 4:34, 35, 37. "And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet ... Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."