The Word of God

We believe in the absolute authority of the holy scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:2). The original manuscripts were given by the inspiration of God and without error. Furthermore, that same word of God is preserved in English and found in the King James Bible. The God who gave His word to man has taken responsibility for its preservation (Psalm 12:6-7). God’s word is incorruptible and cannot pass away, but it remains available to the English-speaking world in the Authorized (King James) Version. This Bible is our final authority in all matters and should be used by all members.

One God

We believe in one God eternally existent as the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, otherwise known as the trinity (1 John 5:7).

The Creator

We believe that God created all things for his pleasure and glory (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:12-17, Revelation 4:11, Hebrews 11:3).

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal God known in eternity as the Word and was made manifest in the flesh as Jesus Christ our Lord (John 1:1-14). He was virgin born, lived without sin, died by crucifixion on the cross, and rose again the third day as was prophesied of him (John 3:16, Mark 16:6, Matthew 27:26, Matthew 28:7, Matthew 1:23). This same Jesus will come again to call his saints (the Church, dead and alive) to be with him before the tribulation begins and for eternity (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). At the end of the tribulation, Jesus will return to establish his kingdom on earth for one thousand years (Revelation 20:6-7). Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, which is the body of Christ. Therefore, all spiritual and temporal matters will be handled in strict accordance with his word, the King James Bible (Colossians 1:18).

The Church

We believe salvation makes one a member of the body of Christ, which is the Church, and the members of this body should gather in a local assembly where they may minister one to another (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 1:12-14, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:25). The true Church is the union of all born-again believers, who in their unity compose the body of Christ, with Christ Himself as its Head (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 3:3-11; 5:32; 1:20-22; 5:23-24). The local Church is an assembly of believers associated by the covenant in the 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. (2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2; Acts 5:11).

Salvation

We believe salvation is available to all men by grace through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from human works or merit (John 3:18, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13, Ephesians 2:8-10). The only way man can be saved from eternal ruin is by truly repenting of his sin and trusting Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as his Lord and Saviour; such an experience consummates the New Birth; he is regenerated by God’s Holy Spirit as he is born again and becomes a true child of God; that this great salvation is wholly by the grace of God, a free gift of God’s love and cannot be obtained by any good works or deeds of men. Salvation is by God’s grace alone; when it comes to the individual heart, it is theirs for time and eternity. The true child of God is eternally secure in God’s hands; the power of God keeps him through faith unto salvation. (Luke 13:3; John 1:12; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Johnn.5:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that he fell from his perfect state by voluntary disobedience; that since that first transgression, all men are born in sin and receive a sinful nature, thereby lacking the holiness required by the law of God; that man is a sinner by nature, choice, and practice, and is therefore under just condemnation, without defense or excuse. (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12; Psalms 51:5).

Hell

We believe all men who reject the gift of God through Jesus Christ will spend eternity physically present and conscious in the torment of a literal lake of fire. God is no respecter of persons and will make no special provision for any person in any way (Revelation 20:14-15, Mark 9:44-48, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Luke 16:19-31).

The Devil

We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is not merely an abstract power or influence, but a living, personal being; that he is the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air, that he is constantly going up and down in the earth seeking whom he may devour. (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians.4:4; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter.5:8).

Personal Evangelism

We believe that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Therefore, all Christians should take personal responsibility in proclaiming the gospel to the lost as a daily service to Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9, Mark 16:15, Romans 10:15).

Water Baptism

We believe that water baptism is a public testimony made by the saved Christian and plays no part in salvation or making one a member of the local Church or body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Acts 8:26-40).

The Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus while on earth, and Christians were commanded to remember his death until he comes. Therefore, we observe this ordinance on the first Sunday of each month in the Sunday School hour (1 Corinthians 11:24-26, Luke 22:19).

The Christian Walk

We believe that a person, once he has truly accepted Christ as Saviour, is a new creation in Christ and that he should live a holy, consecrated life; that he should separate himself from the world in obedience to the command of God. (Colossians 2:6; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; 1 John 2:15; 2 Timothy 2:19).

Biblical Giving

We believe it is the responsibility of every believer who faithfully attends a local church to give to the furtherance of the gospel, as God has given to them individually. All money donated to the Church is no longer in the possession or control of the individual who donated; it will be used at the discretion of church leadership to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. The use of money will be openly disclosed to all who give at regular yearly intervals or upon requests made by those who give and are in good membership standing (Philippians 4:14-19, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15).

Pre-Tribulation Rapture

We believe Jesus Christ will rapture his Church BEFORE the tribulation. Christians look for that blessed hope when Christ will come for his saints. We will be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air before the tribulation begins. This pre-tribulation rapture is distinctly separate from the second coming of Jesus Christ at the close of the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Church & State

We believe that any attempt by the state to interfere with the working of the Church or by the Church to interfere with the working of the state violates God’s purpose for both (Matthew 22:17-21, Romans 13:1-7).

Christ-Honoring Music

We do not believe music is amoral; therefore, careful consideration must be given. We believe songs or styles with recognized rock or rap music characteristics are unacceptable. Furthermore, the empty shallowness of contemporary Christian music fails to honor the Lord or to admonish and encourage the believer after a godly sort. We understand believers will vary in taste and personality when it comes to music, and we will respect those potential differences. Therefore, in church and church activities, we will use Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs as our required standard practice for music (1 Corinthians 14:7, Colossians 3:16, Galatians 5:16-17, Ephesians 5:17-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Marriage and Sexuality

We believe that “marriage” has only one legitimate meaning: marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single covenantal union, as delineated by scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility or space owned, leased, or rented by this Church will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman, as their genders were determined by anatomy at birth (and not subject to change). Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s statement of faith, doctrines, and biblical positions will govern. (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; I Corinthians 7:1-9)

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, is contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity. (Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

We believe that God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, unchangeable genders together reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Genesis 1:26-27)

Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the Church and be greatly used by God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the office of a Pastor. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:11-12; Romans 7:1-3; I Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6; I Corinthians 7:10-16)

Sanctity of Life

We believe that human life begins at conception and that any unborn child is a living human created in the image of God and must be valued and protected. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:36, 44)

We believe that an intentional act or omission that facilitates premature death is assuming a decision that is to be reserved for God. We do not believe that discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome is euthanasia. (Exodus 20:13; 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28)

Love

We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal graciously, humbly, gently, and patiently with those who oppose us. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence to resolve personal conflict or obtain personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for anyone who engages in such actions. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; I Peter 3:8-9; 1 John 3:17-18; Ephesians 4:17-32)

Disputes within the Church

We believe Christians should work to resolve disputes within the body of Christ. We, therefore, believe that all disputes that cannot be resolved must be handled through binding Christian arbitration. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32)

Protection of Children

We believe that children are from the Lord and must be protected within the Church from any form of abuse or molestation. The Church has zero tolerance for any person, whether paid staff, volunteer, member, or visitor, who abuses or molests a child. (Psalm 127:3-5; Matthew 18:6, 19:14; Mark 10:14)

Family Relationships

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the Church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the Church’s leaders (pastors, elders, deacons). (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. The wife is to submit herself to her husband’s spiritual leadership as the Church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a wonderful gift and heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle examples and appropriate training and discipline. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; 22:15; Mark. 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

In the Bible, God entrusts parents with responsibility for their children, and church activities and Christian schools, by design, operate on behalf of the parents. These responsibilities include decisions regarding church attendance, education, healthcare, discipline, and various other life choices. God instructs parents to train their children consistent with their faith in God’s word. (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 4:6, 6: 6-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Ephesians 6:4 Proverbs 4:20-23, 19:18, 22:6.)