That which defines a local church is the doctrine that it preaches and teaches. Below, you will find the statement of faith which outlines our biblical stand on Bible doctrine and defines us as a Baptist church.
Statement of Faith
Bible
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. Therefore, we believe the Bible is our final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are God’s complete revelation to man. Our desire is to interpret the Scripture in their normal grammatical-historical meaning, being careful to leave passages in their context. We do not wish to “explain away” verses or controversial issues based on their context, but rather learn how these verses apply to us today. God certainly preserved His Word for our admonition.
Because of the lines from which our English translations have come, it is our conviction that the King James Version of the Scriptures is God’s perfectly preserved Bible for English-speaking people. (II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:20,21 and Psalm 12:6,7)
The Godhead
We believe in one triune God, Who eternally exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Each member of the Godhead is co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and has the same attributes and perfections. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 14:10, 26; II Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8-10)
The Person and work of Jesus Christ
1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God; was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and that His purpose was to reveal God and redeem sinful man. (Is. 7:4, 9:6; Luke 1:35, John 1:1-2, 14: II Corinthians 5:19-21; 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 the perfect substitute for ALL mankind (individually), and that our justification was and is secured by His bodily resurrection from the dead. He presented His blood before the Father in “the holy place” for our eternal redemption. (Acts 2:18-36: Romans 3:24,25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:11, 12; I Peter 2:24, I Peter 1:3-5)
3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father as our Intercessor and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; I John 2:1-2)
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 member of the Godhead who baptizes 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; II Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14)
2. We believe that the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and in proper interpretation of Scripture. The “filling of the Spirit” is not a one-time event, as is the indwelling and sealing noted above, but rather is a privilege and command for all believers whereby we are enabled and empowered to live as Christ would (and did) here on this earth. (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20, 27)
3. We believe that God is sovereign in the distribution of spiritual gifts to every believer. He uniquely uses evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip believers in the local assembly for the work of the ministry. (Romans 12:3-8; I 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 and were used of God until “that which was perfect (was) come.” Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. In this era known as the Church Age, God has declared in His Word that according to His will and His greater plan, He often chooses to bring divine healing in answer to the prayers of His children. (I Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; James 5:13-16)
Creation
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11)
The Nature of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became separated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, unable to remedy his lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God; brought to man by the grace of God; and received by personal faith and trust in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe this gift of salvation was and is made possible by the shedding of His blood on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins, except for the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable. (Matthew 12:31-32; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-10; I Peter 1:18-19; I John 1:9)
Eternal Security
We believe that all the redeemed are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. Those who have Scripturally placed their faith and trust in Christ may have full assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word. This same basis of our assurance (God’s Word), however, clearly forbids the use of our liberty in Christ as an occasion to the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 1:2, 2:11-15; John 10:28-29; Ephesians 4:30)
The Church
1. We believe the Church is the Bride of Christ, (and He is the head) and is made up solely of all those who have trusted Christ during this period of time, or dispensation, we know as The Church Age. (Ephesians 1:22, 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18; 24)
2. We believe that the majority of the New Testament passages dealing with “the church” refer to a specific, indigenous, local body of baptized believers. (II Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 4:15, 16; I Timothy 3:15, 5:16; Philemon 1:2; I Peter 5:13)
3. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. We believe that the only two Scriptural offices in the church are those of pastor and deacon. The Biblical qualifications for the office of pastors (referred to in Timothy and Titus as bishops or elders) and deacons are as applicable today as when they were written. Other “offices” (i.e. Sunday school teachers, treasurers) function so as to assist the pastor and church in their Biblical commands of “making disciples” and doing all things “decently and in order.” (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
4. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; I Peter 5:1-4)
5. We believe that water baptism (by immersion) and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances for the church in this age. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; 8:36-38; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
Evangelism and Missions
We believe it is the responsibility of the church to carry the gospel to every creature. Once they have trusted Christ it is our responsibility to “make disciples”, and to train so that they may be able to teach others. As a local church, our primary ministry goal will be to reach our community, our country, and the “regions beyond” with the gospel. Our mission efforts will go to assist those who are doing the same and/or are in support of those who are (i.e. Bible and gospel literature publishers). (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19, 20; II Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5)
Separation
We believe that believers should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon our Saviour and Lord or His body, the church. God’s Word commands us to separate from all religious apostasy, worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances and bodily markings. (Leviticus 19:28; Romans 1:29-32, 12:1,2; 14:13; I Corinthians 6:19-20; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; II Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 2:11, 12; I John 2:15-17)
The Second Coming of the Lord and Last Things
1. We believe in the personal, imminent return of Christ; referred to in Scripture as that blessed hope, and commonly referred to believers today as the rapture. We believe Scripture teaches this event will occur before the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will return in bodily form with His saints, to establish His earthly kingdom. (Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; I Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13, Revelation 3:10, 4:1, 19:11-16, 20:1-6)
2. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting damnation. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11: 25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13)
3. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord. They will be conscious, and with our Lord will 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)
4. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection. At this time, soul and body will be reunited and will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment before being cast into the Lake of Fire. Here, they will not be annihilated but will suffer everlasting, conscious punishment. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15)
Angels/Satan/Demons
1. We believe that angels are created beings who possess intelligence, emotion, and a will. They were created by God for worship and service to Him as well as ministering to believers and unbelievers (announcing/executing judgment). (Hebrews 2:7; James 2:19; Luke 15:10; Job 38:7; Isaiah 6; Revelation 5:9ff; Psalm 148:2, 5; Revelation 19:19, 20; Daniel 9:20-12:13)
2. 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, and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10)
3. We believe demons were originally created by God as part of the angelic realm but chose to follow Satan in his rebellion against God. As a result, they have the same basic attributes but have chosen to use them in deceitful and immoral ways. They assist Satan in his evil plans, promote idolatry, hinder the spiritual progress of believers, and disseminate false teaching. Demons can possess and afflict people, and they promote selfishness and division in the church. (Colossians 1:16; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:4; I Timothy 4:1-3; Jude 6-7; II Corinthians 11:15; Deuteronomy 23:17; Ephesians 6:10-12; I Timothy 4:1; Mark 5:5, 9:22; Luke 8:27-29; Job 2:7-9; II Corinthians 12:7; James 3:13-16)
Marriage
1. We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; I Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22, 23)
2. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends for a marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery in Scripture except on the grounds of fornication. Scripture forbids divorced/remarried individuals from holding the church offices of pastor and deacon. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)