The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed. Therefore, we believe the Bible is our final authority for faith and life. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. Our desire is to learn how the verses of Scripture apply to us today rather than inserting our preconceived ideas into the text in order to “explain away” verses or controversial issues. It is our conviction that the King James Bible is God’s Word, perfectly preserved in the English language. We believe also that if God has preserved His inspired Word in a copy or translation, that copy or translation is inspired as well. As such, we believe that the King James Bible is inspired. We believe that all other English versions, excluding none, are perversions and corruptions of the true Word of God, and, therefore, none may be used in any service or ministry of the church. (2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6-7)
Dispensationalism
We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or administrations that define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation but divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purposes. We reject the teaching of Covenant Theology which misinterprets the biblical covenants as expansions of their “Covenant of Grace.” Instead, we see the covenants in the Bible that God makes primarily pertain to Israel. As such, we do not attempt to apply the earthly or national promises made specifically with Israel to the Church. (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2; Colossians 1:25; Romans 9:4; Romans 11)
Israel
We believe that the Church is distinct from Israel. Though Israel is, for a time, set aside, they are not cast away. Israel remains the “Apple of God’s Eye.” As such, we deny Replacement Theology, and we uphold the importance and prominence of Israel in God’s purposes. We look forward to the day when Jesus Christ will reign on the earth, and Israel will serve as a beacon of light to all the nations of the world. With the rest of the world turning its back on God’s earthly people, we believe that America and America’s churches need to stand with her. (Genesis 12:3; 17:7-8; 26:1-5; 28:13-15; Numbers 22-24 (e.g. Numbers 22:12; 24:9; 25:1); Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 105:6-11; Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 10:5-12; 47:6-8,14; 60:1-4; 62:1-7; Jeremiah 31:33-40; Lamentations 2:18; Zechariah 1:2-6,14-15; 2:8; 12:2-10; Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 9:1-5; 10:1; 11 (e.g. 11:1-2, 25-29); Revelation 2:9; 3:9)
The Godhead
We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 29:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10)
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our Great High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24: 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the member of the Godhead who baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12- 14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14)
We believe that the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and in proper interpretation of Scripture. The “filling of the Spirit” is not a one-time event, as are the indwelling and sealing noted above, but rather a continual privilege and command for all believers whereby we are enabled and empowered to live as Christ would (and did) here on this earth. (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the church to do the work of the ministry. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12)
We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary and were used of God until “that which is perfect is come.” Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, although, in this era known as the Church Age, God has declared in His Word that according to His will and His greater plan, He often chooses to bring divine healing in answer to the prayers of His children. (Isaiah 35; Acts 2:4-11; 1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; James 5:13-16)
The Nature of Man
- We believe that man was created in the image of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became separated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, unable to remedy his lost condition. However, we reject the Calvinistic teaching of total depravity which rejects free will and the essential responsibility of man to receive the gift the salvation (see (G)(4)). (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by the grace of God received by personal faith and trust in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe this gift of salvation was and is made possible by the shedding of His blood on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. ( John 1:12: Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9)
We believe that faith and repentance are inseparable. The message of salvation that Paul preached was “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” In Hebrews 6:1, this repentance is further stated as a “repentance from dead works.” Oftentimes repentance is expressed as a pre-forsaking of particular sins; that somehow a sinner can make themselves “savable” by overcoming certain sins as a prerequisite to God accepting them. But the particular sins we commit are just the fruits of the real problem, our sin nature. Man’s forsaking of particular sins can never purge his sin nature. Instead, one must abandon (repent from) all hope in anything but the finished work of Jesus Christ. He must be willing to receive Jesus for who He is – Lord. Understanding Jesus Christ IS Lord, we recognize Jesus has absolute claim on our lives. For one to live a life in continual sin, unrepentance, and rebellion is evidence that repentance has never taken place-that the sinner’s mind has not changed. Thus, repentance from dead works and faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ are entirely inseparable. (Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 13:23; 17:9; Acts 20:20-21; Philippians 2:11; Hebrews 6:1)
We believe that the atonement of Christ is sufficient for all and efficient for those who receive the gift of salvation through faith. We reject the teaching that the atonement of Christ is somehow limited to a select group that has been sovereignly chosen by God before the foundation of the world. (Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; John 3:14-17; Romans 5:18-19; 1 John 2:2)
In believing that salvation is a gift from God, we also believe that this gift can either be received or rejected according to the free will of the individual. We deny the teaching of Irresistible Grace or Effectual Calling whereby God gives a special “effectual” call only to those who He has foreordained to be part of the “elect,” and that this effectual call works upon the individual in an irresistible way requiring no responsibility from the individual. To the contrary, we believe the Scriptures teach that the “whosoever” of John 3:16; 12:46; Acts 10:43; Romans 10:13; Revelation 22:17; and other like verses implies that the call to salvation is a call to receive the gift of God and is available to all. Therefore, all people have the responsibility to receive this gift of their own free will. This receiving is no more of works than that of receiving any other gift. We never work to receive a gift; if we do so, the gift would then be considered a wage. (Romans 3:26-28; 4:1-25)
The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
We believe that once a person is saved, he is kept by God’s power and remains secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40,;10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:4-5)We believe that those who have Scripturally placed their faith and trust in Christ may have full assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word. This same basis of our assurance (God’s Word), however, clearly forbids the use of our liberty in Christ as an occasion to the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:1,13; Ephesians 4:30; Titus 2:11-15)
The Church
We believe the Church is the Bride of Christ (Christ being the Head) and is made up solely of all those who have trusted Christ during this period of time, or dispensation, often designated as “The Church Age.” (Ephesians 1:22, 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18; 24)
We believe that the majority of the New Testament passages dealing with “the church” refer to a specific, indigenous, local body of baptized believers. We call this a “local church.” (2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 4:15, 16; 1 Timothy 3:15, 5:16; Philemon 1:2; 1 Peter 5:13)
We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. We believe that the only two Scriptural offices in the church are those of pastor and deacon. The Biblical qualifications for the office of pastors (referred to in Timothy and Titus as bishops or elders) and deacons are as applicable today as when they were written. Other “offices” (i.e. Sunday school teachers, treasurers) function so as to assist the pastor and church in their Biblical commands of “making disciples” and doing all things “decently and in order.” (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
We believe that water baptism (by immersion) and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances for the church in this age. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Separation
We believe that believers should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon our Saviour and Lord or His body, the Church. God’s Word commands us to separate from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, refraining from all immodest appearances. We acknowledge that Jesus Christ has full claim on our lives. We ought to therefore glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God’s. As such, we claim the blood for our past, striving to please our Lord going forward, knowing He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. (Leviticus 19:28; Romans 1:29-32, 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 1:9; 2:15-17)
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in that blessed hope—the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture (“catch up”) His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom, which He promised to the nation of Israel. (Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18: Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
The Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment in Hell and later the Lake of Fire. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13)
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord. They will be conscious, with our Lord, and will await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6)
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection. At this time, soul and body will be reunited and will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment before being cast into the Lake of Fire. Here, they will not be annihilated but will suffer everlasting, conscious punishment. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15)
Angels/Satan/Devils
We believe that angels are created beings who possess intelligence, emotion, and a will. They were created by God for worship and service to Him as well as ministering to believers and unbelievers (announcing/executing judgment). (Hebrews 2:7; James 2:19; Luke 15:10; Job 38:7; Isaiah 6; Revelation 5:9-14; Psalm 148:2, 5; Revelation 19:19-20; Daniel 9:20-12:13)
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of both God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10)
We believe devils were once angelic beings originally created by God as part of the angelic realm but chose to follow Satan in his rebellion against God. As a result, they have the same basic attributes but have chosen to use them in deceitful and immoral ways. They assist Satan in his evil plans, promote idolatry, hinder the spiritual progress of believers, and disseminate false teaching. (Colossians 1:16; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Jude 6-7; 2 Corinthians 11:15; Deuteronomy 23:17; Ephesians 6:10-12; 1 Timothy 4:1; Mark 5:5; 9:22; Luke 8:27-29; Job 2:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:7; James 3:13-16)
Creation
We believe that the Genesis account of Creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal and historical record of God’s creation of the universe in six literal, 24-hour days. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11)