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SECTION 1 - STATEMENT OF FAITH:
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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, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. We accept the Hebrew Masoretic (Old Testament) and Textus Receptus (New Testament) manuscripts as the foundational material from which the King James Version of 1611 was derived. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the preserved Word of God and thus shall be the official text used by the Church. (Psalm 12:6,7; 119:89; II Timothy 3:16- 17; II Peter 1:20-21). We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man's responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations; the age of law, the age of the Church, and the age of the kingdom, are the subjects of detailed revelations in Scripture. (Genesis 1:28; I Corinthians 9:17; II Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Revelation 20:2-6) We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 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 28:19; John 1:1-5,14, 14:10, 16-18,26; Acts 5:3,4; II Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:15-19; 1 John 5:7) D. The Person and Work of Christ 1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ the eternal sinless 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; II Corinthians 5:1-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8) 2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death and shedding of his blood 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; Hebrews 9 & 10; I Peter 1:3-5; 2:24) 3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our 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) 4. He is the possessor of all the divine attributes:
E. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit 1. 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 Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-14; 11 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14) 2. We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20,27) 3. 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 assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28: Ephesians 4:7-12) 4. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the of believers for physical healing. (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; James 5:14-16) 1. We believe that God created man in His own image and in a state of innocence, but that through temptation he willfully transgressed and became dead in trespasses and sins whereby his posterity inherit a corrupt nature, being born in sin and under condemnation. 2. We believe that Adam's fall not only tainted each person's inner man, but also brought his body under the penalty of sin which is death (Genesis 2:17, 5:12). Not only is man a Sinner by nature, he is a sinner by the exercise of a God given free will. Therefore, the condemnation is just and man is without defense or excuse, (Genesis 1:26, 27, 2:7-3:24; Romans 1:17-30, 3:22, 23, 5:12, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:17-19) 1. We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (John 1:12, 5:24, 6:37, 44; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; I Peter 1:18-19) 2. We believe that Repentance and Faith are inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ we turn to God with sincere contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. (John 16:7-11; Acts 16:31, 17:30, 31; Romans 10:9-13; II Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 2:1-10) H. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers 1. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37- 40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:4-5) 2. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15) 1. We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again, baptized believers, joined together by a covenant of faith and commitment to Christ. We are an independent, fundamental, missionary Baptist church. (I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27) 2. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defended in the New Testament Scriptures for the preaching of the gospel and equipping of the saints. (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:~11) 3. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. There are two offices ordained in the church -Pastor and Deacon. Other members are to Serve in the Capacities in which they have been gifted by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31.; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16, 5:4-7, 13; I Peter 5:1-4) 4. We recognize water baptism and the Lord's Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the Church in this age. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our obedience to and faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior. It portrays our death to sin and resurrection to a new life- It is pre-requisite to the privilege of a church relation and to the Lord's supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine (grape juice) to commemorate together the dying love of Christ preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:18; Romans 6:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32) 1. We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation unto Christ from all religious apostasy (ecclesiastical), worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations (personal), is commanded of God. Christians are to be discerning in abstaining from "all appearance of evil" in lifestyle, habit, dress, amusement and business according to the teachings of God's Holy Word. (Romans 12:1-2; 13:14; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Timothy 2:9,10; 4:12; II Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 3:1-11; James 4:4; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11) 2. Fellowship among believers has the following limitations:
K. The Second Coming of Christ and Related Events 1. We believe that the return of Christ from Heaven will be personal, visible and glorious, a blessed hope for which we should constantly watch and pray, the time being unrevealed, but always imminent. (Titus 2:13) 2. The second coming of Christ is twofold: first His return in the air before the tribulation (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) and then His return to earth before the millennium (Revelation 19 and 20). The rapture (or return in the aft) will be followed by the seven year tribulation period (Revelation 11:3; 13:5) during which time the Antichrist will be revealed (Revelation 13:3-10) and Armageddon will be fought (Revelation 16-18). 3. In Heaven during the tribulation, will be the judgment of the saints (Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 3:11-15; II Corinthians 5:10) and marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-10). At the close of the tribulation, Christ will come to earth with the saints to defeat the Antichrist, the false prophet and their armies (Revelation 19:11). The beast and the false prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire, and Satan will be bound for the millennium (Revelation 20:1-3). Following the millennium, Satan and his angels wilt be loosed for a season of rebellion before being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). The final judgment will be the Great White Throne Judgment after which the unsaved are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15) and the saved will enter into the eternal state with God in Heaven (Revelation 22:3-5). 1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13) 2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23: 43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6) 3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment in hell until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment and shall be cast into the lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious) punishment and torment. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15) 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 God and man; that he is the great tempter, the accuser of the brethren, the author of all false religions and the chief power behind the Ecumenical Movement that calls for all "churches" to come together in the name of unity at the expense of Bible doctrine; and that he along with the fallen angels (known as demons) shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10) We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, theistic evolution and other theories of origin. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11) We believe that God has given the Church and individual Christians a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all men at home and abroad so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all appropriate means to reach our community and to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; I John 20:21; Acts 1:8, 8:1; Romans 3:8; II Corinthians 5:20) We believe that every Christian, as steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the Church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; Philippians 4:15-19; I Timothy 5:17-18; I John 3:17) The Bible teaches that music is a gift of God by which we are to praise and worship Him while teaching and admonishing one another. All music must be scriptural and Christ-honoring. We are conservative in our music and reject today's distortions of God's gift of music such as so-called "Christian" Rock, Rap, Rhythm & Blues, Country, etc. that identify with the world and appeal more to the flesh rather than the spirit (Psalm 100; Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 5:18-21; Colossians 3:16,17) We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions:
Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the Church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-14) S. Marriage and Human Sexuality 2. We believe that God ordained marriage between a man and a woman, and intends it to last until one of the spouses dies. However if a marriage is broken by the sin of divorce, we recognize that there is forgiveness and restoration in Christ. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 5:31, 32; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7) 3. We renounce the unisex philosophy that creates confusion by blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity. We believe that definite distinctions between men and women are God-made to be ultimately fulfilling and are thus to be preserved and promoted. (Genesis 2:21-23; Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 11:1-15; I Timothy 2:9-14; I Peter 3:1-9) 3. We believe that God has commanded that no form of intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. All other forms are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. (Genesis 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9-20; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4) We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion under any circumstance constitutes the unjustified, un-excused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44) We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the Church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the Church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (I Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32) We believe that through Christ Jesus we are more than conquerors, and as overcomers we have been given the power and sustaining grace to live victoriously over any snare of sin we may have become entangled with in our lives. The message to the wounded, scarred or marred is that there is hope and healing in the blood of Jesus Christ (Psalm 34:17-19, 147:3; Ecclesiastes 9:4; Isaiah 40:31, 44:10, 50:4, 10; Jeremiah 8:22, 18:1-6, 29:10, 11, 31:17; Luke 4:18; Acts 20:24; Romans 6:6-23, 8:5-13, 28-39; II Corinthians 12:19; I John 5:4)
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