DOCTRINAL
STATEMENT
1. The Holy Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of
the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally
written was verbally and plenary inspired, the product of God
through Spirit-controlled men; that it has truth without any
admixture of error for its matter; that it not only contains and
conveys the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God; that it is and
shall remain to the end of the age the only, complete, and final
revelation of the Will of God to man; that it is the true center of
Christian unity and the supreme, all-sufficient and only authority
by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
We believe that the Holy Scriptures based upon the Masoretic Text
and the Received Text are immediately inspired of God, and by his
singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, and therefore
authentic.
Psalm 12:6, 7; Matthew
5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 1 Peter 1:23-25 (Amended January 28, 2006).
Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 8:20;
Luke 16:31; 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39, 45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts
1:16;28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians 4:3; 6:17; 2 Timothy
3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19
2.
God
We believe that there is
one true and living God; that He is Creator, Preserver and Sovereign
of the universe; that He is infinite in every excellence,
inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible
honour, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there
are three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in every
divine perfection, and executing distinct by harmonious offices in
the great work of redemption.
Genesis 17:1;
Exodus 15:11; 20:2-3; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10;
Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts
5:3-4; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2
Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy
1:17; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11
3. Jesus Christ
A. His
Deity, Incarnation and Life.
We believe that
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; that He eternally possessed
with the Father and Holy Spirit, in one Godhead, all the essence and
attributes of Deity; that as provided and purposed by God, and as
pre-announced in the prophecies of the Scriptures, He came into this
world that He might manifest God to man, fulfill prophecy, and
redeem lost men; that to this end He was born of a virgin, and
received a human body and a holy human nature; that because of that
holy human nature inseparably linked with His divine nature, He not
only did no sin, but He was morally and constitutionally incapable
of sin; that He obeyed fully the law and fulfilled the Father=s
will in all things.
Genesis 3:15;
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14;
14:3; Galatians 4:4; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 4:15
B. His Sacrificial Death.
We believe that He
first came to Israel as her Messiah-King, was rejected of that
nation and according to the eternal counsels of God, gave His life a
ransom for all who believe. We believe that Christ=s
death is of such infinite value that it is fully sufficient to save
all men should God have chosen so to do, and that His power to save
is in no sense limited; we further believe that the sacrifice of
Christ was not merely provisional, but was an actual substitution
for those chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, this
vicarious substitutionary sacrifice making full satisfaction to God
for their sins and infallibly securing their salvation by grace,
through faith in Him, such faith being produced in them by the Holy
Spirit through the preaching of the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, this faith being the result of God=s
choice and not the cause of it.
Isaiah 53:4-7,
11-12; Matthew 1:21; 20:28; 21:4-9; 27:37; John 10:11, 14-15; 3:16;
Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 10:17; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 15:3; 2
Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 1:29; Hebrews 9:12-15
C. His Resurrection and Ascension.
We believe that He
arose from the dead on the third day in the same body in which He
suffered and died. We believe that our Lord ascended into Heaven:
that He is now glorified and seated at the right hand of the Father,
and is our only Mediator, High Priest, and Divine Advocate with the
Father.
Matthew 28:6-7;
Mark 16:19; Luke 24:39, 51; John 20:27; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians
15:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:24-26; 8:1; 1 John 2:1
D. His Return
and Related Events.
We believe in the
imminent, personal, physical, and pre-millennial return of Christ,
occurring in two phases: first, to complete the Church Age by
rapturing all believers prior to the tribulation; and second, at the
end of the Great Tribulation when He shall return with His saints,
at which time the nations shall be judged and the millennial kingdom,
with regathered and redeemed Israel central and Christ as King, will
be ushered in. At the end of the 1,000 years the judgment of the
Great White Throne will take place, followed by the eternal
damnation of the wicked, Satan and his cohorts, and the
establishment of the New Heavens and the New Earth wherein dwelleth
righteousness.
John 14:3; Acts
1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17;
Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-15
4.
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 righteousness, and
of judgment; 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.
Genesis 1:1-3;
Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; 24:49; John 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:8-11,
13; Acts 5:30-32; Romans 8:14, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2
Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2
We believe that the
Scriptures teach that in the opening days of the Church Age the Holy
Spirit gave gifts which were revelatory in character to individual
believers. Among these was the gift of tongues. The exercise of
the gift was never to prove that the one speaking in tongues was
saved or that he had received the Holy Spirit, but was that the Word
of God might be preached with
Aother
tongues.@
Tongues and other gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to confirm the
spoken word until the canon of Scripture was complete and all
sixty-six books had been written. With the completion of the Bible
the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which were partial and temporary, were
no longer exercised. We have God=s
complete and final revelation in the Holy Scriptures and need no
other manifestation.
Acts 2:4-13;
Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31; 13:8-10; Hebrews 2:3-4
5. Satan
We believe in the
personality of Satan; that he was created holy and enjoyed heavenly
honours, but through pride and ambition to be like the Almighty, he
fell, and drew after him an host of angels; that he is now the
unholy god of this world, man=s
greatest tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of
the saints, the author of all false religions, and the power back of
the present apostasy; that he is limited in his activity by the
wisdom and power of God; that he is destined to final defeat at the
hands of God=s
Son, and to the judgment of eternal justice in the lake of fire, a
place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15;
Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; 2
Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation
12:7-9; 13:13-14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1-3, 10
6.
Man
We believe that man
came by way of direct Divine creation and not as a product of
evolution; that he was created holy, but through disobedience he
became a fallen creature, totally depraved, and is now spiritually
dead in trespasses and sins, by which we mean his natural utter
incapacity to receive the things of the Spirit of God apart from the
regenerating grace of that Spirit. We believe that because of sin,
he is a mendicant upon the mercy of God.
Genesis 1:26-27;
2:21-23; 3:1-6, 24; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19; 5:12, 19; 1
Corinthians 2:9-14; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1-3
7. Salvation
We believe that
salvation is by the sovereign electing grace of God; 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 in the all-sufficient sacrifice of the Lord Jesus
Christ; 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.
Isaiah 55:1, 6-7;
Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-16, 36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans
8:29-30; 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians
3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; Revelation
22:17
8.
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 one 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, 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 fruit of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3, 6-8; Acts
16:30-33; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 19; Ephesians 2:1;
Colossians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 5:1
9. Repentance and faith
We believe that
repentance and faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces
wrought in the soul by the quickening Spirit of God; that the sinner,
being deeply convicted of his guilt, danger and helplessness and
having his understanding enlightened to see the way of salvation by
Christ, turns in repentance to God with unfeigned contrition,
confession and supplication for mercy; that at the same time he
receives the Lord Jesus Christ in knowledge and trust as
all-sufficient Saviour, submitting wholeheartedly to His Lordship
and openly confessing Him before men by mouth and life.
Genesis 15:6; Psalm
2:12; 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 28:16; 55:6-7; Zechariah 1:3; Matthew 3:2;
4:17; Mark 1:15; 16:16; Luke 8:12; 12:8; 13:3, 5; 18:13; 24:47; John
1:12; 3:15-16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 10:43;
16:31; Romans 1:16; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8 (Amendment
January 29, 2005).
10. Justification
We believe that
justification is the judicial act of God whereby He once forever
declares to be righteous the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ; that
justification includes forgiveness of sin and the imputation of God=s
righteousness in Jesus Christ; that it is not bestowed in
consideration of any works of righteousness on the sinner=s
part, but solely through the instrumentality of faith in Christ;
that justifying faith is essentially evidenced by good works.
Genesis 15:6;
Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 3:1-4; Acts 13:39; Romans
3:20-22, 24-26; 4:1-8, 25; 5:1, 9; 8:1, 30, 33; 10:4, 10; 1
Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; 3:6, 8, 11;
Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 3:9; Colossians 1:14; 2:13; Titus 3:5-7;
Hebrews 11:4, 7; James 2:14-26 (Amendment January 29,
2005).
11. Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that
persevering attachment to Christ and a profound regard for the
things of Christ, distinguish real believers from mere superficial
professors; that a special Providence watches over the welfare of
the saints, and that they are
Akept
by the power of God through faith.@
We believe that a Christian=s
conduct cannot effect he eternal destiny, but that it does affect
his fellowship with the Lord, his enjoyment of salvation, his
usefulness to the church, and his helpfulness to other souls; and
that persistence in unbecoming conduct brings chastening from the
Lord.
John 10:28-29;
Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude
1
12. Sanctification
We believe that the
Scriptures teach non-conformity to the world for every believer;
that it is clearly commanded of God for all believers to live lives
of separation from sinful, worldly and doubtful practices and
associations unto Christ and to be holy as He is holy. We believe
the Bible teaches personal separation, that is
Adenying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly, in this present world;@
and ecclesiastical separation, which is separation from churches and
organizations in or associated with Apostasy. We believe that
positionally sanctification occurs at the moment of regeneration and
that practical sanctification is progressive throughout the entire
life-span of the believer here on earth. The means that God has
provided for holy living are the believer=s
identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection and
ascension; the indwelling Person and Power of the Holy Spirit and
the believer=s
yieldedness to Him; and by the powerful Word of God.
Romans 6:1-14;
12:1-2; 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18;
6:14-7:1; Galatians 5:16-23; Colossians 3:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5;
Titus 2:14; Hebrews 10:4; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2 John 7-11; Revelation
18:4
13. The Local Church
We believe the New
Testament local church to be a company of baptized believers,
voluntarily associated together for the ministry of the Word, mutual
helpfulness and edification, the observance of the ordinances, and
the propagation to the ends of the earth of the faith once delivered
to the saints.
We believe a local
church should be sovereign, under God, with no ecclesiastical
authority higher than itself; that its Scriptural officers ore
elders (also called in Scripture bishops and pastors) and deacons;
that when such churches co-operate, each church is the sole and only
judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; that on all
matters of membership, polity, discipline and benevolence, the will
of the local church is final; that in function, the church is to be
executive of the will of Christ, and not legislative.
Matthew 18:15-17;
Acts 2:41-42; 15:13-18; 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians
1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13
14. The Ordinances
We believe that
there are by two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord=s
Supper; that baptism is the single immersion of the believer in
water unto the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, by the
authority of a true New Testament Church, in testimony of the
believer=s
union by faith with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Immersion in water according to the Scriptural teaching shall be
perquisite to church membership and baptism will not be administered
apart from but rather in preparation for church membership.
We believe the Lord=s
Supper to be the symbolical partaking of unleavened bread and the
unfermented
Afruit
of the vine@
in remembrance of the Lord=s
death
Atill
He come.@
It should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
John 3:23; Acts
2:41-42; 8:26-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians
2:12 (Amendment January 29, 2005).
15. 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 Christ, 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.
Genesis 18:23;
Proverbs 10:24; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Luke 9:25-26; 12:5; 16:25; John
8:21, 24; 12:26; Romans 6:17-18, 23; 7:6; 1 John 5:9
16. Church and State and Religious Liberty
We believe in the
separation of church and state; that the church possesses no
God-given authority over the state; and that the state, likewise,
possesses no God-given authority over the church or the consciences
of men.
We believe in
religious liberty; that every man should have the right of soul
liberty and freedom of conscience without coercion or molestation;
and also the right to propagate his faith to others.
Matthew 22:21; Acts
4:18-20; 5:29
17. Civil Government
We believe that
civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good
order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for,
conscientiously honoured and obeyed, except in things opposed to the
will of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures,
Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the
kings of the earth.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2
Samuel 23:3; Daniel 3:17-18; Acts 4:19-20; 5:20; Romans 13:1-7
18. Marriage, Divorce
and Remarriage
Only members in
good standing of this church, or one of like faith for a period of
six months shall be married in the church, or by the Pastor. Under
exceptional circumstances a marriage may take place with the
approval of the deacons board (Amendment May 18, 1980).
We believe that
marriage was instituted by God during creation. Its original design
was for one man and one woman to unite for life. Marriage is when
God has joined a man and a woman together in a covenant relationship
that results in a new family unit, the twain becoming one flesh. We
believe that there is a legal obligation for those whom God has
joined together in marriage, that their marriage be recognized by
the civil authorities as a marriage covenant unto God. Such a
marriage covenant is indissoluble by civil law, and is terminated
only by death
We believe divorce
is a violation of the marriage covenant between the husband and the
wife as they both stand before God. We believe there are no
exceptions to this rule. Remarriage for either or both spouses
after divorce must be considered as adultery. We believe the sin of
adultery is forgivable, and that reconciliation and forgiveness
should be sought from the Lord. We believe that the second marriage
is not necessarily a state of perpetual adultery. We do not believe
that second marriages should be dissolve in order to effect
reconciliation.
We believe, in the
case of a Christian brother or sister pursuing divorce that they are
disobeying the Word of God and are out of the will of God; the local
church has no recourse but to exercise discipline in such a willful
desertion of the truth, after all attempts have failed to instruct
the erring brother or sister to forsake such a course of
disobedience.
We believe that,
after a divorce, remarriage for either spouse is unlawful, and that
reconciliation and forgiveness should be sought. If such attempts
of reconciliation fail, then it is necessary that both spouse remain
single. Upon the death of one of the spouses, the surviving
faithful spouse is allowed to remarry and that only in the Lord.
We believe that a
Christian brother or sister seeking to join the membership, who has
been divorced and remarried, should be especially examined on their
attitude about their sin of divorce and remarriage. If a confession
of wrong doing is maintained, and repentance and forgiveness has
been sought from the Lord and obtained, and the present marriage
shows signs of stability, then entrance into membership should not
be denied. We believe that such men have disqualified themselves
from the office of pastor and deacon, but they can serve in other
areas of ministry in the church as long as they maintain a spirit of
submissiveness to the local church in all things.
Genesis 2:21-25;
Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 24:4; 2 Samuel 12:9, 13; Malachi 2:14-16;
Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; John 4:17-18; 8:11; Romans 7:2-3; 1
Corinthians 7:1-17, 39-40; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6; Hebrews
13:4 (Amendment January 28, 2002).
|