DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
1. The Word of God is inspired (divinely written and preserved) and infallible (completely trustworthy), and is the only guide for the Church. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”(2 Tim. 3:16). Also, we believe the Authorized Version is the translation preserved for the English speaking New Testament Church.
2. There is only one living and true God who consists of three persons (the Holy Trinity): the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 Jn. 5:4). See also Lk. 3:21,22.
3. The Biblical account of creation as found in Genesis 1:1-2:3 God created all things by Jesus Christ in six literal days, and rested on the seventh. Rev. 4:11, “…for though hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Col. 1:16; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 10:6) The earth is relatively young, around six thousand years old and not millions of years.
4. Man is a three-fold being, made in the image of God, consisting of a body, soul (eternal), and spirit(attitude,disposition,mind) (1Jn. 5:8; Gen. 1:27). “…and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 5:23).
5. The Depravity of mankind. All men are born sinners by nature, and therefore are cut off from God because of the sin of Adam. “Wherefore by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin’ and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). (Jn.3:15-19, Rom. 3:10,23; Eph.2:1-3; 1 Jn. 1:8,10).
6. The Holy Spirit convicts (convinces, reveals) man of his sinful condition, and draws him to repentance (godly sorrow and desire for change) of sin and faith in the gospel of Christ. “No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him” (Jn. 6:44). (Jn. 6:65, 12:32; 16:8-11; Acts 20:21; Phil. 2:13)
7. The salvation of sinners is by grace through faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, and His resurrection from the grave on the third day. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph. 2:8). (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Gal. 3:2; Eph. 1:13; 2:9,10) Jesus suffered and died for all manind, however only those who believe on Christ shall be saved (1 Tim. 4:10).
8. Eternal security of the believer. Full and complete salvation was secured through the death of Jesus, the atonement made with His blood, and His resurrection. “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:15). (Jn. 3:16-18; 5:24; 10:28-30; Rom. 5:21; 6:23; Heb. 9:12)
9. Every believer in Jesus Christ should follow the Lord in Scriptural baptism. Baptism is the doorway (means of entrance) into the Church, and a means of preserving life’s works. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). (Acts 8:36-38, 16:30-33) Scriptural baptism is burial in water, authorized by the Lord’s Church, and administered by an ordained minister of a scriptural practicing Church. (Mt. 28:19; Jn. 4:1,2)
10. Upon death one immediately goes to a literal heaven or hell, depending entirely upon whether they believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 16:19-31; Mk. 9:43-48; Jn.3:18).
11. Jesus set up His Church during His personal ministry while on the earth (Mt. 4:17-22; Jn. 1:35-37; Eph. 2:20-22; Mt. 16:18). Jesus’ Church is a local, visible, independent body of baptized, believers, belonging to nothing but Christ (Eph. 1;22,23: 5:23; Col. 1:18). The Churches can associate or fellowship with like-minded churches, but are not subject to Associations, Boards, Conventions, Committees, or other organizations, but only to Christ, as their head.
12. Jesus commissioned His Church to preach the Gospel to the entire world (Mt. 28:19,20). The commission places the authority in local independent, visible churches to preach the gospel, baptize the believers, and teach them to observe the Word of God (Eph. 3:21).
13. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances set in the Church by Jesus (Mt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26_. Only a local New Testament church can administer these ordinances, and only scripturally, baptized believers can partake of the Lord’s Supper. Feet washing, which was enacted by Jesus and administered (by Him) to His disciples, and is enjoined upon His churches today as a reminder of the need to be a humble servant of others (Jn. 13;1-17).
14. The officers of the Church are pastors and deacons. Only scripturally qualified men are to hold these positions (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titue 1:5-9).
15. Pastors and missionaries are to be God-called, and Spirit led (Acts 20:28; 13:2-4; 1 Tim. 1:12). They are to be supported by free will offerings (2 Cor. 9; Phil 4:15, 16; 1 Peter 5:2). We are to give freely and cheerfully, not of necessity, according as the Lord hath prospered us (1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Lk. 6:38).
16. There will be a literal resurrection of the saints of God at His coming (1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thes. 4:16,17). There will be separate judgements for the saved and unsaved (Acts 24:15; Jn. 5:29; Rev. 20:4-6).
17. Jesus Christ will return to the earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and shall establish His Kingdom on the earth for one thousand years (Rev. 20:1-6; Zec. 14:4,9). At the end of which, the unsaved shall be judged, and condemned to the eternal lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).
18. All the former things will pass away, and new heavens and a new earth will be established (2 Pet. 3:12,13; Is. 65:17; 66:22; Rev. 21:1).