ARTICLE X – DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION: We believe the Bible. We believe it to be the literal Word of God from start to finish. We believe it to be inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative in everything it says. We believe that the God who inspired it is the God who has preserved it for each generation and will ‘til the end of time.

            This Statement of Faith is not exhaustive in content nor thorough in any subject, but does state forth the basics of Bible-believing Christianity.  We want all to know that we believe the soul-saving, life-changing message of God’s Holy Word, and preach and teach it without apology. We believe the Holy Bible, as translated in the Authorized King James Version.

I. THE BIBLE. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God and are the only infallible, inerrant rule of faith (what we believe) and practice (how we live). We believe it to be authoritative in every matter it addresses. It is the eternal message of God to man. (Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119: 89, II Timothy 3:16, 17; Isaiah 8:20; I Thessalonians 5:21)

II. TRINITY. We believe God is a Person- eternally existing. One true God but in the unity of the Godhead. There are three eternal and co-equal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. One Godhead made up of three Persons Who are the same in attributes, power, characteristics, and desires. (Hebrews 1:8, Acts 5:1-3, Matthew 28:19, I Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 2:9, Matthew 3:16,17)

III. JESUS CHRIST. Jesus Christ, eternally existing, is the only begotten Son of God, Who became a man totally apart from sin, being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Luke 1:30-35, John 1:1-15, Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 1:15)

V.  THE SINFULNESS OF MAN. Man was created innocent, but by disobedience fell into a state of sin and condemnation. His posterity, as a result of the Fall, inherit a fallen nature of such tendencies that all who come to the age of accountability sin and become guilty before God. (Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 3:10-23; Romans 5:12)

VI. TERMS OF SALVATION. The conditions of Salvation are found in two inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, those graces being repentance and faith. Repentance being the turning of trusting self to trusting Christ, and Faith being the personal acceptance of Christ as Savior. Salvation is provided by the grace of God and appropriated by faith, without any works performed by man (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9-10, John 3:16, 36; Luke 13:5, Acts 16:31)

VII. SECOND COMING. The Lord Jesus Himself is coming again in the air at any moment to “rapture” up those that have received Him as their personal Savior and to reward their service. The unbelievers left behind will go through a period called the Tribulation, after which Christ shall return visibly to the earth to set up His Kingdom of one thousand years of righteous rule. After this, the unbelievers of all ages will stand at the great White Throne to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God forever, while the believers spend eternity in the fullness of joy in Heaven with the Lord. (Matthew 24:29-42; I Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 19:11-20:15)

VIII. SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD. We believe that all the saved are called unto a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices. A person, once he has truly accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, is a new creation in Christ and should live a holy, consecrated life; he should separate himself from the world and all its lust in obedience to the command of God. (Romans 12:1-2; I John 2:15-17; II Corinthians 5:17; 6:14-18; II Timothy 2:19)

IX. LOCAL CHURCH. We believe that a Scriptural church is a visible assembly of baptized (immersed) believers, covenanted together under New Testament law for the purpose of carrying out the Great Commission, with an unbroken history from the personal ministry of Jesus on earth to this present day; that this church is a self governed independent body having Christ as the Head, the holy Spirit for its guide, and the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice. The only two scriptural offices of the church are the bishop (Pastor) and deacons. The two ordinances of the local church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. On all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, etc. the will of the local church is final. (Mark 16:15; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:21; I Timothy 3)

X. HEAVEN. The Scriptures declare that Heaven is a definite place reserved for the saved. It is indescribably beautiful and the eternal reward that God has for all who have been born again. ( John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10, 11; Revelation 21:1,2)

XI. HELL. The Scriptures tell us that Hell is a terrible, eternal reality for all who die in their sin. As Heaven is indescribable beauty, Hell is indescribable horror. The Bible states the fire and torment of Hell to be an inescapable, eternal reality. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 19:20 & 20:10; Luke 16:23, 28; Luke 13:27,28)

XII. PERSEVERANCE.  All believers in Christ are saved by grace through faith and kept by the power of God through faith. Salvation results when a man exercises faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. In doing so, the finished works of Christ settle his account in heaven. Perseverance is the sustaining grace of God that assures the true believer’s continued act of faith in Christ as his Lord and Savior. (Ephesians 2:8; I Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 10:38, 39; Jude 24; Philippians 1:6)