We
believe:
In the verbal and plenary (complete)
inspiration of the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, which
constitute the inerrant (without mistakes) Word of God.
II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:16-17
In
the Trinity of the Godhead: one God eternally existing in three equal persons -
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:1; John 10:30; Matthew 28:19; Acts
5:3,4
In
the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily
resurrection, imminent (can happen at any time), premillenial (He will come
before His 1,000 year reign on earth) coming of Christ. Isaiah 7:14;
Matthew 1:18-25; II Thessalonians 2; John 14:1-3; II Thessalonians 4:13-18;
Hebrew 7:25; John 10:30; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 14:1-4
In
the personality of the Holy Spirit, by whom believers are called, regenerated
(born again), baptized into Christ, indwelt, sealed, and filled for service.
John 16:7-9; I Corinthians 3:16
In
the direct creation of the universe and man by God apart from any process of
evolution. Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16,17
In
the fall, total depravity and guilt of the race in Adam which makes it necessary
for man to be saved by the grace of God in Christ. Genesis 2:17; Romans
5:12-21; I Corinthians 2:14; Romans 3:23
In
the eternal salvation of all individuals who put their faith in Christ, Whose
blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. John 3:3, I John 5:13;
Galatians 3:24-26; Colossians 1:17; I Peter 1:18-19
In
the unity of all true believers in the Church which is the body of Christ.
I Corinthians 12:12-13
In the
local church as a company of baptized believers, independent and self-governing,
which should fellowship with other churches of like faith and order. It is
the responsibility of the local church to observe the ordinances of baptism and
the Lord's Supper, edify itself, and evangelize the world. We believe that
the Biblical form of believer's baptism is that of immersion and that it is to
be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The
ordinance of baptism is for believers only and it is the prerequisite for church
membership. The officers of a New Testament church are pastors and deacons
who must meet the Biblical qualifications. Acts 2; Matthew 28:19-20; I
Timothy 3; Acts 15; Romans 6:3‑5; I Corinthians 11:23-32
In
the obedience of the Biblical command to separate entirely from worldliness and
false doctrine, which includes some religious groups who do not follow Biblical
teachings. We are to be separated unto God. II Corinthians 6:14-18;
Romans 12:1,2
In
the personal existence of angels, demons, and Satan. Revelation 20:1-10;
Job 1:6-7; I Peter 5:8
In
the bodily resurrection, immortality and rapture of all believers at Christ's
imminent coming. I Corinthians 15:51-52
In
the sovereign selection of Israel as God's eternal covenant people, that she is
now dispersed because of her rejection of Christ, and that she will be
regathered in the Holy land, and saved as a nation at the second advent of
Christ. Amos 9:15; Ezekiel 37:23-27; Jeremiah 23:3-6
In
the bodily resurrection and judgment of unbelievers after the millennial reign
of Christ. Matthew 25:46; Romans 22:11; Revelation 20:12‑15
In
the eternal life and blessedness of all believers and the eternal existence and
punishment of all unbelievers. John 5:29
Regarding
Human
Sexuality: We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual
activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality,
incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God's
gift of sex. Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5,13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30;
Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
Regarding
Divorce
and Remarriage: We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to
last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried
persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the Church and be
greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the
offices of pastor and deacon. Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; I
Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6
Regarding
Abortion:
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a
living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking
of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching
that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender
selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother
are acceptable. Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1,5; Jeremiah
1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
Regarding Lawsuits Between Believers:
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