Statement of faith

Articles of Faith

    1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were written by individuals divinely inspired. They are the only infallible rule of Faith and Practice and are the supreme standards by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

    2. We believe that there is only one true and living God, the maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, 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 Spirit–equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

    3. We believe that people were created in holiness, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state. In consequence of which, all human beings are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God. They are positively inclined to do evil, and, therefore, under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse.

    4. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace by faith in the Son of God, who freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned and is a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.

    5. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again. Regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind and spirit; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

    6. We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties of every person and also inseparable graces. These occur at the same time receiving heartily Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and relying upon Him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life.

    7. We believe that those who have been truly regenerated are also sanctified. That sanctification is God’s will; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration and is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the continual use of the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

    8. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church, which, as His body, is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested all power for its governance. According to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; to observe the ordinances of Christ; to be governed by his laws; and to exercise the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word. The only scriptural officers of the church are pastors (or bishops or elders) and deacons.

    9. We believe that the two scriptural ordinances of the Church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit to show our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior; that it is obligatory upon every believer. The Lord’s Supper is to be administered with the elements of bread and fruit of the vine and is to be observed by His churches until the Lord’s return. It is designed to commemorate His death; that it calls for, and is to be preceded by, the most solemn self-examination.

    10. We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, and a day of rest; that it is a Christian institution for regular observance. It should be kept sacred for religious purposes and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private.

    11. We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. Civil authorities are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word and not contained in it.

    12. We believe that the bodies of persons after death return to dust, but that their spirits return immediately to God, the believing to rest with Him, the unbelieving to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day the bodies of all the dead, both the just and the unjust, will be raised.

    13. We believe that God has appointed a day wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ; that a solemn separation will then take place. The unbelieving will be adjudged to the everlasting punishment; and that only such as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, being alone thus truly righteous in His esteem, shall be adjudged to endless joy. This judgment will fix forever the final state of every person in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness.