We believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. By this is meant a miraculous guidance by the Holy Spirit in their original writing, extending to all parts of the Scriptures equally, applying even to the choice of words, so that the result is the very Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Moreover, it is our conviction that God has exercised such singular care and providence through the ages in preserving the written Word, that the Scriptures as we now have them, are in every essential particular as originally given and contain all things necessary to salvation. II Tim. 3:15-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; John 20:30,31; Matt. 5:17,18; Rev. 22:18,19.

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Gen.1:1; John 1:1-4; 4:24; 10:27-30; Acts 5:1-5; Matt. 28:18-20.

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man. Matt.1:18-25; 16:13-16; Luke 1:26-38; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19.

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all of mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse. Gen. 1:27,31; 2:16; 3:6-24; 6:12; Acts 17:26; Rom. 1:18,20,32; 2:1-16; 3:9-19; 5:12,15-19; Isa. 53:6; Eph. 2:3; Gal. 3:10,22; Ezek. 18:19,20.

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable, that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes: humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence. II Tim. 1:8,9; 2:10; II Thess. 2:13,14; Rom. 8:28-30; 11:29; John 6:37-40; II Pet. 1:10.

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who according to the will of the Father, assumed our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Savior. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; I John 4:10; I Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 2:9- 14,18; 4:14; 7:25,26; Phil. 2:6,7; II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:4,5.

We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit, by which a new nature and a spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus; a holy disposition is given to the mind, the will subdued, the dominion of sin broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self to a love of holiness and God; the change is instantaneous, effected solely by the power of God, in a manner incomprehensible to reason; the evidence of it is found in a changed disposition of mind, the fruits of righteousness and a newness of life. Without it salvation is impossible. John 1:13; 3:3,6; I Pet. 1:23; I John 2:29; Eph. 4:24; Col. 1:13; 2:13; Rom. 6:13; I Cor. 6:11.

We believe that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit; and consists in a godly sorrow for sin, as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one’s sin and guilt, together with prayer for pardon; also by sincere hatred of sin, and a persistent turning away from and abandonment of all that is evil and unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated. Acts 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; Luke 24:47; Rom. 2:5.

We believe that faith, as an evangelical grace wrought by the Spirit, is the medium through which Christ is received by the soul as its sacrifice and Savior. It is an assent of the mind and a consent of the heart, consisting mainly of belief and trust; the testimony of God is implicitly accepted and believed as true, while Christ is unreservedly trusted for salvation; by it the believer is brought into vital relations with God, freely justified, and lives as seeing Him who is invisible. Faith cannot save, but it reveals Christ to the soul as a willing and sufficient Savior, and commits the heart and life to Him. Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:3,10; 5:1; 1:17; Heb. 11:1,6.

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 promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith, His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. Acts 10:43; 13:39; Rom. 5:1,2,9,11; 8:1; I Cor. 1:30,31.

We believe that adoption is a gracious act, by which the Father, for the sake of Christ, accepts believers to the estate and condition of children, by a new and spiritual birth; sending the Spirit of adoption into their hearts, whereby they become members of the family of God, and entitled to all the rights, privileges and promises of children; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, to the heritage of the saints on earth, and an inheritance reserved in heaven for them. Rom. 8:14,16; Gal. 3:26; 4:5-7; Eph. 1:5; I John 3:1.

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means–especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer; and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties. I Thess. 4:3; 5:23; II Cor. 3:18; 7:1; Eph. 1:4; II Pet. 3:18; I Tim. 4:7.

We believe that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will 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 they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. John 6:39,66-69; 8:31; 13:18; I John 2:19,27,28; 3:9; 5:18; Jude 24,25; Heb. 13:5

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their sinful nature; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church. Rom. 3:20,31; 4:15; 7:7,12,14,22; 8:2,4,7,8; 10:4; Gal. 3:24; Luke 16:17; Heb. 8:10.

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by 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; that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. Acts 2:41,42,47; 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 14:23; 15:22; II Cor. 11:2,23; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1.

We believe that Christ left two ordinances for His church to practice: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of the believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, and Son and Holy Spirit, symbolizing the believer’s union by faith with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. And we believe that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic memorial by which we look back in faith to the cleansing blood of the cross; look up in love to our heavenly Father, as we contemplate the virtues of His Son, showing the Father what we have found in the Son; and look forward in hope, to our Lord’s promised return. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; I Cor. 11:17-34; Rom. 6:1-4; Col. 2:9-13.

We believe in the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (to give the Gospel to every man) in both its world-wide and local emphasis. Matt.28:18-20; Luke 24:44-48; John 10:11-30; 21:15-17; Acts 1:8; 8:1-4.

18. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the con¬science, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. But that civil rulers have no rights of control over, or of interference with religious matters. I Pet. 2:13-15; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Tim. 2:1-4; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7,10; Acts 4:18-20; 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7.

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 this life and after death. Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Acts 10:34,35; Rom. :16; 1:17,18; I Cor.11:32; Isa. 57:21; 55:6,7; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; 12:4,5; John 3:36; 8:21-24; Matt. 7:13,14.

We believe in “that blessed hope”, the pretribulation rapture of all believers at Christ’s imminent coming, and the personal and visible (bodily) return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to this earth, where He will reign. Acts 1:8-11; I Thess. 4:13-18; II Thess. 1:5-10; 2:1-12; John 14:1-6.

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost. Luke 24:33- 43; John 20:24-31; II Cor. 5:1-10; I Cor. 15; John 5:25-29; Rev. 20.