ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that is 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 true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Revelation 22:19
ABOUT THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfection’s to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature essence or being. Genesis 1:1; Hebrew 11:3; Romans 11:36: Psalms 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20
ABOUT THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" Genesis 1:27. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" Genesis 2:7. He was created in a state holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his Posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage of sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. Genesis 6:5-11; 8:21
ABOUT THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death. Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in his person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. Psalms 18:2; Luke 1:69; 11 Sam. 22:51
ABOUT JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness which all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness, which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing. Genesis 15:6; Psalms 32:2; 71:16
ABOUT THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation but refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior and Lord. Mark 4:11; I Cor. 1:21-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
ABOUT GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is a work of God's free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit, which we bring forth to the glory of God. Matthew 12:33-35, 43-44; I Samuel 10:9
ABOUT REPENTENCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and hellishness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. Repentance: Genesis 6:6,7; Exodus 32:14; Deuteronomy 32:36; Faith: Rom.10:6-10; 11:20,23; 15:13
ABOUT GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual. It is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy unchangeable; it excludes boasting and promotes humanity. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree. Judges 6:23; 2 Samuel 15:26
ABOUT SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; and that it is a progressive work; that it is begun 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, and prayer. Leviticus 11:43-47; I Peter 1:15-16; James 3:9
ABOUT THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto 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 that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Colossians 1:10,22, 23; Revelation 2:7,10,11,17,25-28; Jeremiah 32:40; Mark 4:3-8
ABOUT THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sins; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connect with the establishment of the visible church. Law: Hebrew 8:4-9,11-13. Gospel: Matthew 4:23, 24:14; Mark 1:1; 4:30-33
ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father (GOD), and the Son (JESUS CHRIST), and the HOLY GHOST: to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior with its effects in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ preceded always by solemn self-examination. Baptism: John's: Matthew 3:5,7-16; 21:25; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:12,21; 7:29-30; Eucharist: Matthew 26:17-30.
ABOUT A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the 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 defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus, I Timothy 3:1-7; I Timothy 3:8-10; I and II Timothy and Titus.
ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship on our possessions. We are therefore under obligation to serve him with our time, talents and material possessions; and should recognize all these as in-trusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the Redeemer’s cause on earth. Stewardship of Time, Talent, Giving, Work, Service, Bible, Gospel, and Death. Hebrews 7:10 Matthew 25:14-30: 20: 1-16; John 14:15,21; l Corinthians 4:2,2,7; 6:20
ABOUT CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayer for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Matthew 22:17-21; Romans 12:17; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2: 12-17.
ABOUT RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and are under condemnation. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death; and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and ever-lasting awards are made to all men. Psalms 1:1-6; 17:14,15; 32:10; 37:17-22,37,38; 75:1O; 73:1, 25-25; 91:7; 107:33-38
ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath: and is to be kept sacred to religious purpose, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful receptions; by the devout observance of all the means of grace; both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God. Mark 16:9; 28:1,5,6,9: John 20:19, 26, 11-16; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16: 2; Rev. 1:10
ABOUT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
We believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. An adequate system of schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ's people. The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should revive along with this liberal support of the churches. Psalms 19:7-11; 119:9,11,18; Acts 20:32; II Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrew 4:12; I Peter 2:2
ABOUT SOCIAL SERVICES
We believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of God regnant in his own life and in human society; to op-pose in the Spirit of Christ in every form of greed, selfishness and vice, to provide for the orphaned; the aged, the helpless, and the sick to seek to bring industry, government and society as a whole under the way of the principles of any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and his truth. All means and methods used in social services for the amelioration of society and the establishment of righteousness among men must finally depend on the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. Matthew 20:26-28; Mark 9:35; John 13:12-15; Acts 20:33-35; I Corinthians 9:18-21
ABOUT EVANGELISM AND MISSION
We believe that it is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life. It is also expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the gospel of Christ. Acts 10:9-20; 13:2-S; 26:14,16; Matthew 24:14; 28:19; Mark 13:10; Luke 24:47.
ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after Christ's resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in his glorified body at God's right hand. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus. Matthew 24:31; 25:1-13; 27:52.53; Luke 20:35-38; 14:14; John 5:21-29
ABOUT THE RETURN OF THE LORD
We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. “This saran Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven." The time of his coming is not revealed. "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angles of heaven, but my Father only." It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for his coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ. Matthew 24; Luke 21:34-36; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; II Peter 3:8-14
ABOUT THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. I Corinthians 15:51-57; 3:9-15; II Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Rev. 6:7; Matthew 6:21; 25:14-30