Statement of Faith
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THE WORD OF GOD.
We believe the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21)
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THE TRINITY.
We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious work in creation, providence and redemption. (Mark 12:29; John 10:30; II Cor. 13:14; I John 5:7)
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GOD THE FATHER.
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of man, the He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Christ. (Deut. 33:27; Rom. 1:20)
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JESUS CHRIST.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, continual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth. (Luke 1:25; Matt. 1:18-25; Heb. 9:24; John 1:1,2,14; II Cor. 5:21)
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THE HOLY SPIRIT.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. (John 16:8-11; I Cor. 12:12-14; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14; John 16:15)
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REGENERATION.
We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice, and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:26-27, 3:6; Eph. 2:1-3,8,12; John 3:5; Rom. 3:22-25)
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THE CHURCH.
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Col. 1:18; I Cor. 12:13-14; I Pet. 2:5,9; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20)
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CHRISTIAN CONDUCT.
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well being of his fellowmen; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. (II Tim. 3:1-5; Rom. 12:1-2; I John 2:15-17)
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THE ORDINANCES.
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the triune God. We believe the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:23-26)
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RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
We believe every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that, therefore, Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. (I Tim. 3:15; Matt. 18:15-18; Acts 6:3-5; I Cor. 5:4-5)
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CHURCH COOPERATION.
We believe local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another.
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THE LAST THINGS.
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, the eternal life of the righteous, and everlasting punishment of the wicked. (Mark 9:43-48; I Thes. 4:16-17; II Thes. 1:7-9; John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:4-15; Luke 16:19-26)