What we believe
The Bible
We believe in the Bible as the verbally (every word) and plenary (completely) inspired Word of God and that it was written inerrant in its original languages and has been providentially preserved “for all generations forever.” All portions of Scripture are equally inspired and contain no contradiction. The Holy Bible has God as its Author (2 Peter 1:21); salvation for its end (2 Timothy 3:15); and truth for its matter (Proverbs 30:5-6). The Scriptures are our only rule for faith and practice, the supreme standard by which all conduct, creeds, associations, and ministries should be tried (1 John 4:1). The canon, the sixty-six books of the Bible, is complete. Nothing shall be added to nor taken from (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1; Revelation 22:18-19). To eliminate confusion, all preaching and teaching will be from the King James Version. We believe the King James Version of the Scriptures has been faithfully translated from the preserved Word of God.
The Doctrine of God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God. He is an infinite, intelligent, and personal Being; a perfect Spirit, who is the Creator, Preserver, Sustainer, and Supreme Ruler of the universe; inexpressibly glorious in holiness (Ex. 15:11); worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (Mark 1:20). The Godhead exists eternally in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfection’s. Likewise, they are worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:25; John 1:1; John 14:1-17; I Timothy 3:16).
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, not having a human father, and He is true God and true man. He is man’s only hope of salvation from sin being the only mediator between God and man. He died, was buried, and rose again the third day for our sins according to the Scriptures. His return for His Church, (the body of Christ), which He will take to Heaven, is imminent. He will come to this earth to set up His Millennial reign (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; John 10:30; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; I Thessalonians 4:1-18; Revelation 20:4-6).
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit to be coequal with the Father and with the Son. He is a person. He came to this earth as the fulfillment of Christ’s promise. He convicts, regenerates, indwells, seals, fills, empowers, and guides the believer (John 16:7-13; John 3:3-5; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:1-14; Ephesians 5:18).
The Doctrine of Man
We believe that God created man in His own image by the special act of God (Genesis 1:27 and 2:7). Man was created in a state of holiness, but through the temptation of Satan, he voluntarily transgressed and fell from his holy state (Genesis 3:1-24). The consequence of this fall is that mankind is born with a sinful nature (Romans 5:19; Psalm 51:5). This sinful nature is evidenced by sinful acts. We believe that man is totally depraved, and if he is not born again, he is lost (Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 16:23; Romans 3:1-23; I Corinthians 15:21-22; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8).
The Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that a person is saved when he repents of sin and exercises faith by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Below we list particular matters concerning salvation.
Concerning Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing, which Christ secures to all that believe in Him, is Justification (Acts 13:39). Justification includes the pardon of sin (Romans 5:9) and the promise of eternal life on the principles of righteousness (Romans 5:17). It is freely given, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood (Romans 4:4,5). By virtue of faith, His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (Romans 5:19). It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity (Romans 5:1, 2).
Concerning the Basis of Salvation
The basis of our salvation is the precious blood of Christ: “Forasmuch as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb, without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19). We are saved by Christ’s death, but the Bible teaches it was necessary that His saving death had to be by the shedding of His blood.
Concerning the Way of Salvation
The salvation of man is only by the grace of God and not by works which man can do (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
Concerning Regeneration
When a person places his faith in Jesus Christ as the One who paid the penalty for sin, that person is regenerated, born again (John 3:3). This means he has a new life and should be changed so that works which glorify God will be manifested through his life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Believers are regenerated by the Holy Spirit using the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23 and Titus 3:5-6).
Concerning Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable graces wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. In Acts 20:21, Paul stated that his ministry was one of “Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Biblical saving faith requires Biblical repentance. Saving faith requires that we turn to God with confession, and supplication for mercy, at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and all-sufficient Savior (Luke 13:3-5; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:9-10).
Concerning the Scope of Our Salvation
We believe the scope of salvation includes forgiveness of all our sins – past, present, and future; a perfect standing before God as in Jesus Christ, and the changing of our earthly body to be conformed like unto the body of our Lord at His return for His own.
Concerning God’s Purpose of Grace
We believe election is the eternal purpose of God according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners (2 Timothy 1:8-9). Being perfectly consistent with the free agency of men, it comprehends as well as embraces all the means in connection with the end (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (Exodus 33:18-19). It utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy (1 Corinthians 4:7). It encourages the use of means in the highest degree (2 Timothy 2:10). It may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:10). It is the foundation of Christian assurance (Romans 8:28-31), and to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (2 Peter 1:1O-11).
Concerning Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3). It is a progressive work (Proverbs 4:18). It begins in regeneration (1 John 2:29). It is carried in the hearts of believers throughout their earthly lives 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 (Philippians 2:12-13).
Concerning the Filling of the Spirit
We believe that the filling of the Spirit in a believer’s life is manifested by that person’s willingness to be under control of the Spirit and thus to be obedient to the Word of God. We do not believe that speaking in tongues is a primary manifestation of the fullness of the Spirit as it is taught and espoused by the charismatic movement. We believe that tongues were a sign in the early church, and the gift ceased after the completing of the canon of Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
Concerning the Security of the Believer
We believe that every true believer has eternal life (John 3:16; 3:36; 5:24; 6:47), and he is kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:9). God gives eternal life to the believer, and he shall never perish (John 10:28-29).