Doctrinal Statement

Section 1 – The Scriptures
We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, and
the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice, for both this church and every individual
Christian (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).

Section 2 – The Godhead
We believe in one God who eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Each person of the Godhead possesses the same nature and attributes, but each is distinct in office
and activity (Deut. 6:4; Matt.28:19).

Section 3 – Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that he became man without ceasing to be
God having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, that He lived a sinless life,
that he died as a substitutionary sacrifice for every human being, that He was physically raised from
the dead by divine power, that he presently serves in heaven as our Intercessor and Advocate, and
that He will return to earth (John 1:1, 14; 5:18; 2 Cor. 5:21; Acts 2:31-33; 1 John 2:1-2; John 14:1-2).

Section 4 – The Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world, convicts men of sin,
regenerates those who trust Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the body of Christ, indwells them
permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one, and fills
those yielded to Him. We believe that some gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and
miraculous healings, were given as authenticating signs in the early church and were temporary. We
believe, however, that God answers prayer for the sick in accordance with His will (John 16:7-11; 3:8;
I Cor. 12:4-11, 13; John 14:16-17; Eph. 4:30; 5:18; I Cor. 14:22-24; Heb. 2:4; I John 5:14-15; Jas.
5:15-16).

Section 5 – Angels
We believe that angels are spiritual beings which were created sinless. Presently angels exist in both
fallen and unfallen states, the former state including Satan and his demons. We believe that Satan is
a personal being who is the enemy of God and all Christians (Heb. 1:13-14; 2 Pet. 2:4; Isa. 14:12-14;
Gen. 3:1-19; Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:10).

Section 6 – Man
We believe that man was created by God as a human being and that he did not evolve from a lower
form of life. We believe that he was created innocent and in the image of God. Through their own
choice, Adam and Eve fell and their sin has resulted in physical and spiritual death to themselves and
their posterity. We believe that man is totally depraved, that is, in no way is he able to commend
himself to God. He has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God, and in need of salvation (Gen.
1:1, 27; Col. 1:16-17; Gen. 2:17; 3:19; Eph. 2:1-2).

We believe that God administers His purpose on the earth through man under varying responsibilities,
stewardships, or dispensations. These dispensations may be distinguished in Scripture through a
consistent use of the normal method of biblical interpretation. We believe that God has a plan and
program for Israel that is distinct from His plan and program for the church (Eph. 3:2-6, 9-11; Col.
1:25-27; Rom. 6:14; Heb. 7:18-19; I Cor. 10:32).

Section 7 – Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus
Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from
works, and that all true believers are kept secure in Christ by the power of God forever (Acts 13:38-
39; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-30).

We believe that sanctification is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Christians are called to a holy
life of fellowship, service, and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. God will reward the
faithfulness of Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ (John 17:17; Eph. 5:25-27; I Thes. 5:23; Heb.
10:10, 14; I Pet. 1:15-16; I Cor. 3:12-17; John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:10).

Section 8 – The Church
We believe that the universal church, the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism composed of all
genuine Christians who live between the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the Rapture (I Thes. 4:16-17).
A believer becomes a member of this church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit at the moment
he trusts Christ as his Savior (I Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:18).

We believe that the local church is an assembly of professing Christians who voluntarily join together
in one locality to worship God, study the Bible, observe the ordinances, practice Christian fellowship,
pray, evangelize the lost, and be equipped for Christian service (Acts 2:42-47; I Cor. 1:1-2; Eph. 4:11-
13).

We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lordʼs Supper which are to
be observed by believers until He returns, and that these are the only ordinances He so appointed.
By water baptism a believer identifies himself publicly with Christ and His people. Water baptism is
intended to be for believers only and by immersion whenever possible. The Lordʼs Supper is a
memorial of Christʼs death, the elements being symbolic of His body and blood. Every believer
should partake of the Lordʼs Supper frequently (Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 6:1-14; I Cor. 11:23-26).

Section 9 – The Future
We believe in the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ for the church. This event (the Rapture)
will be followed in order by the Tribulation, the Second Coming of Christ to earth, the Millennial Reign
of Christ on the earth, and entrance into the Eternal State.

We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus Christ pass immediately into His presence at death
and remain there in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the church,
when soul and body will be reunited and joined with Him forever. We believe that after death the
souls of unbelievers remain in conscious misery in Hades until the final judgement of the Great White
Throne at the close of the Millennium when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire,
not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord.
We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Thes.
1:7-9; Rev. 20:11-15).