This church holds the following Statement of Faith as being a summary of Christian doctrine whose authority consists only in its agreement with the Word of God. I. OF THE SCRIPTURES We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit controlled men. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. The King James Bible will be used exclusively for all teaching, preaching and all ministries. 2 Samuel 23:2; Proverbs 30:5, 6; John 10:35; Acts 1:16; Romans 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 11 Peter 1:20, 21; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19 II. OF THE TRIUNE GOD We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit whose name is Jehovah, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost - equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 15:11; Psalms 83:18; Matthew 3:16, 17; Acts 5:3, 4; Hebrews 3:4; I John 5: 7; Revelation 4:6-8 A. OF JESUS CHRIST We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who was in the beginning with God, born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost, came into the world in the body of flesh, died on the cross to purchase our eternal redemption with His own blood. He is the only way of salvation. He rose again the third day, is now seated at the Father's right hand and making intercession for the Saints. We are expecting Him to appear at any moment to receive His bride (the blood-washed redeemed believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and take us to a place He is preparing.) Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-10; 14:2-6; Acts 1:1-11, 4:12 Romans 8:34; I Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 4:4-5; I Thess. 4: 14-18; I Peter 1:3-5, 18-19 B. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe the Scriptures teach that the third person of the Triune God is the Holy Spirit who reproves of sin, indwells the believer, seals the believer, and is the guide and comforter of the believer. He has the attributes of God and is the agent in the new birth. Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 24:49, John 3:5-6; 14:16, 17-26; Acts 13:2; Ephesians 1:13-14 III. OF THE FALL OF MAN We believe that man was created in innocence and holiness under the law of his Maker but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice, being by nature utterly void of all that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse. Genesis 1 :27, 31; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-18; Galatians 3:10, 22; Ephesians 2:3 IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through faith in the Son of God, who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him a body of flesh; that being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, yet without sin, He honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made full atonement for our sins; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfections. He is in all ways qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour. Isaiah 53:4, 5; John 1:14; 3:16; I Corinthians 3:5-7; Ephesians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:9; I John 4:10 V. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION 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 an instantaneous act and not a process; that it is the miraculous result of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. That in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receiver of 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 Ghost in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits 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; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 5: 1 VI. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our soul by the regenerating Spirit of God, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation of Christ; we turn to God with confession and supplication for mercy; and at the same time we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and rely on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Saviour. Isaiah 55:7; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; 5:31; 11:18; 20:21; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8 VII. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION We believe 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 penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. Isaiah 55: 1; John 3:16, 5:40; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 10:13; 1 John 4:15; Acts 2:21 VIII. OF SANCTIFICATION 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 began in regeneration; and 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, prayer, and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties. Proverbs 4:18; Romans 8:5; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 13:5, 9; Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 2:12, 13; I Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Hebrews 6:1; I Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; I John 2:29; John 17:17 IX. THE PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Holy Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure until 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 3:31; Romans 8:28, 38; Hebrews 13:5; I Peter 1:5; Jude 1:1; Philippians 1:6 X. OF A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH We believe the Scriptures teach that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of 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 clearly defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity, and the building up and edifying of the saints. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only head is Christ through the Holy Spirit, and that the Pastor is the immediate overseer. Matthew 18:15-20; John 14:15; 15:10; Acts 2:41-42, 47; Romans 16:17-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; I Timothy 3; Titus I XI. OF BAPTISM We believe that Christian baptism is the complete immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It, being only a picture, has no saving power nor does it cleanse us from sin, it only shows the world that our old man (sin) has died and that we are raised to walk a new life in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:22-23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:26-39; Romans 6:1-8; I Corinthians 1:17-18; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12 XII. OF THE LORD'S SUPPER We believe that the Lord's Supper in which the members of the church and those in the congregation who are born again, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and unfermented fruit of the vine (grape juice), are to commemorate the dying love of Christ which is to be preceded always with solemn self-examination. This ordinance also is a picture of our sins. It also has no saving power, nor does it cleanse us from sin, nor does it actually become the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is done in remembrance of Him who died for us, the Lord's broken body, and His shed blood for the sins of all mankind. We are to look at the bread and juice as only a picture to remember what He did in dying for us. Matthew 26: 17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:14-20; I Corinthians 10:16-17, 21; 11:23-28; Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:9-18 XIII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, and that magistrates are those for whom we should pray, conscientiously honor, and obey, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the kings of the earth. We maintain that through the rights given to us through the United States Constitution and through the divine rights given to us in the Word of God that civil rulers have no rights of control over or of interference with religious matters which are covered from Genesis to Revelation in God's Holy Word. Daniel 3:15-18; Matthew 10:38; Acts 4:18-20; 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:18; Titus 3: 1; I Peter 2:13; Revelation 19:16 XIV. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED We believe the Scriptures teach 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 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 in the everlasting bliss of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. Genesis 18:23; Psalms 10:4; Proverbs 14:32; Jeremiah 15:19; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:14; John 3:36; 8:21-24; 12:25, 26; I Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 3: 10; Revelation 22:11 XV. SATAN, THE DEVIL We believe the Scriptures teach that Satan does exist as a real person. He was perfect in Heaven; in pride, he rebelled, was cast out of Heaven, and now he is the deceiver of the nations, the wicked one, the father of those who commit sin; he is a liar and the enemy of the Godhead. His final doom is the lake of fire for eternity. Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28: 12-19; Job 1, 2; Zechariah 3:1-2; Psalms 109:6; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 20: 10 XVI. OF THE RETURN OF CHRIST We believe the Scriptures teach in the bodily, personal, pretribulation, premillennial return of Christ to catch away His church, to judge the living nations, and to set up his kingdom on earth. Matthew 25:31-46; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-21, 20:4-6; Titus 2:13 A. OF THE RESURRECTION We believe the Scriptures teach in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead; that believers who sleep in Jesus will be raised up at the pre-tribulation coming of Christ for His church and caught up with the transformed living saints to meet the Lord in the air; and that the wicked dead will be raised at the close of the millennial kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne judgment to receive their final doom. John 5:21-30; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 7:9-17; 20:11-15 XVII. OF SOULWINNING We believe the Scriptures teach that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable; and that this commission is the responsibility of each believer. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:18; Romans 10:13-15; Proverbs 11:30 XVIII. OF TITHING We believe the Scriptures teach that tithing is a command for our present day. It is to be the means by which the local New Testament church is to be supported along with other offerings over and above the tithe. We believe that proportionate giving is a distinct and positive command in the scriptures, and we pledge ourselves to a systematic contribution for the support of the church of such a proportion of our income as we believe God requires of us according to the principles laid down in the Word of God. Along with this, we believe that God will bless us in our obedience to this command. Genesis 28:20-22; 14:20; Deuteronomy 14:22; Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16: l, 2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-16; Hebrews 7:1-3 XIX. OF SEPARATION FROM WORLDLINESS & CHRISTIAN LIVING We believe the Scriptures teach that all believers should walk in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Saviour, and that separation from worldly pleasures and practices is commanded of God. We also believe that every saved person should manifest the Christ-life in a consistent walk in the Holy Spirit, fully and constantly yielding his members to the indwelling Christ, so that he may always be, by life and word showing forth the praises of Him who has called him out of the darkness into His marvelous light. We believe that the Christian should strive to live a separated life. Seeking to maintain this separation in joint business alliances as well as in the marriage relationship. Remember the admonishment “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” This practice should extend to all areas of pleasure, methods of work and worldly societies. Romans 12:1, 2; 14:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, 7:1; I John 2:15-17 XX. CREATION We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, “each after its own kind,” by direct act, and not by the process of evolution. Genesis 1,2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3 XXI. HUMAN SEXUALITY We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5: 1, 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4 XXII. ETERNAL SECURITY We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power, and are thus secure in Christ forever. One cannot lose their salvation. 1 Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6; John 6:37-40; John 10:27-20; Romans 8:1,38,39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 XXIII. SPIRITUAL GIFTS We believe that the “miraculous gifts” such as speaking in tongues, the gift of healing and prophecy ceased as the New Testament scriptures were completed and their authority became established. Today we have the “perfect” which is the completed Word of God, Old Testament and New Testament. We believe that some gifts mentioned in the Bible were sign gifts given to authenticate the ministry of the Apostles and were thereby temporary in nature. There are still gifts that are applicable for today given to the believer for the edifying of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:22, 13:8-12, 14:22; Hebrews 2:2-4 XXIV. MISSIONS It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions which are known to be in hearty agreement with our statement of faith both in doctrine and in practice. We believe that it is the obligation of the redeemed to witness by life and by word to the truths of the Holy scriptures and to seek and proclaim the Gospel to all mankind by financial support, by prayer support and by personal involvement. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20