Church Government

The Church acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Supreme Head of the Church; and claims the Scriptural right of complete autonomy and self-government; and undertakes to manage all of its affairs according to New Testament teaching; and recognizes the sole authority of the Holy Scriptures in all matters of faith and practice.

Doctrine of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without the admixture of error for its matter, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. (2 Peter 1:20; Luke 16:29–31; Acts 1:16; Acts 3:21; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 12:6–7; Luke 16:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17)

By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of 66 books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally inspired and eternally preserved, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. By “inspiration” we mean that the 66 books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were verbally (the very words, not just ideas), and plenarily (completely) inspired and free from error, as no other writings have been or ever will be inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Psalms 119:105, 160; Luke 24:25–27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44, 45; Psalms 119:89; Proverbs 30:5–6; Romans 3:4; 1 Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalms 19:7–11; John 5:45; John 5:39)

We believe that the Bible is the complete and sole revelation of God to man and that all modern pretense of revelation through tongues, prophecy, dreams, knowledge, visions, special people or angels, or churches are unscriptural. (Psalm 119:89; Jude 3; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:19, 19; Isaiah 8:20; Deuteronomy 18:20; Jeremiah 23:28–36)

The Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and the Received Text of the New Testament (Textus Receptus) are those texts of the original languages we accept and use. The King James Bible is the only English version we accept, use, or endorse. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice.

Doctrine of the Tri-Unity of God

We believe that there is one and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressible, 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 Ghost, equal in every divine perfection and executive distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20:2, 3; Genesis 17:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; 83:18; 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6; 1 John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11; Philippians 2:5–6; Ephesians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 13:14)

Doctrine of God

We believe that God is the eternal, self-existent, personal Spirit. He is infinite in knowledge (omniscient); infinite in wisdom, and infinite in power (Omnipotent). He is everywhere (omnipresent); He is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer. We believe that God is absolutely holy, perfect, righteous, loving, and just. (John 4:24; 1 John 3:20; Acts 15:18; Genesis 1:1; Ephesians 1:20; James 1:17; 1 John 4:8–16; Psalms 139:1–18; 1 Timothy 1:16; Deuteronomy 33:27)

Doctrine of Jesus Christ

We believe in the eternal deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and of the same nature; that He was active in the Creation; that He was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, not having human father, and is true God and true man; that He was sinless, fulfilling all the righteous commandments of the Law; that He is man’s only hope of salvation from sin, being the only mediator between God and man; that He was God manifest in the flesh; that He offered Himself a sacrifice unto death; that He was buried, that He rose again the third day for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He is now seated on the right hand of God the Father. (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:15–17; Matthew 1:18–23; Luke 1:35; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; John 1:14; Hebrews 10:10–14; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Mark 16:19)

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person equal with the Father and the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the Creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the Agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (Genesis 1:1–3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8–11; John 14:16–17, 26; John 15:26–27; Acts 5:30–32; Ephesians 1:13–14; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:26–27)

Doctrine of Satan and Fallen Angels

We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malign prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world; we hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness; destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:14–17; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 13:25, 37–39; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; 2 Thessalonians 2:6–8; Revelation 13:13–14; 12:7–9; 20:10; Matthew 25:41)

Doctrine of Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of Creation and other historical events, including the world-wide, universal Flood, and that it is to be accepted literally; not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or developments through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” We believe that the days of creation were literal 24-hour days. (Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:21–23; Genesis 1:11, 24; Genesis 7:6–24)

Doctrine of the Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state; that the consequence of this is that all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Thus, man is utterly helpless to save himself. (Genesis 3:1–6; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:19; Romans 1:18, 20, 32)

Doctrine of Salvation

We believe the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience; and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:16; Philippians 2:7–10; Isaiah 53:4–7; Romans 3:21–26; Hebrews 7:25)

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 1:15–17; Romans 2:4–5; Romans 10:8–13; Proverbs 1:24; John 3:18, 36; John 5:40)

We believe in God’s electing grace: that the blessings of salvation are freely given to all who repent and believe; that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners; that it is consistent with the free agency of man; and that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness. (Romans 3:24; John 6:37; Romans 8:29–30; Ephesians 1:4–12; 1 Peter 1:2)

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one who was dead in trespasses and sin is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, nor by character, nor by self-will, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit; so that our new birth is evidenced by our new life. (John 3:3–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:8; Ephesians 2:10)

We believe in the Atonement for sin made by Christ’s death, burial, and bodily resurrection. (Romans 5:6–11; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ; we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21; Acts 2:37–38; Romans 10:8–13)

We believe that justification is the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him. Justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness; it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; it is not a process, but an instantaneous act of God; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and an ensuing Christian life. (Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:1–11; Romans 4:1–5; Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:1; 1 John 2:29)

We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; it is begun in regeneration; and it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit; the Sealer and Comforter, through the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 2:29; Romans 8:5; Philippians 2:12–13)

We believe in the security of the saints; that all who are truly born again are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (John 10:27–29; Romans 8:35–39; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 5:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 5:13)

Doctrine of Church

We believe that a Christian Church is a congregation of regenerated persons, baptized by immersion on a profession of faith in Christ; united in covenant for the observance of Christian ordinances, for worship, for instruction, for edification, and for the evangelization of the world; recognizing and accepting Christ as its Supreme Head, Lord and Lawgiver, and taking His Word as its only sufficient rule of faith and practice in all matters of conscience and religion; said Church being understood to be the pillar, ground, and propagator of the Truth. Its officers of ordination are pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; and the titles pastor, elder, and bishop refer to different aspects of the same office. (Acts 2:41–42; 6:5–6; 20:17–28; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8–12; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5–7)

Missions

We believe the true mission of the individual is found in the Great Commandment. (Matthew 22:36–40; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Luke 10:27)

We believe the true mission of the Church is found in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46–47; Acts 1:8)

Self-Government

We believe that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit. We believe that in all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Matthew 18:15–20)

Fellowship

We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, and that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation.

• We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to be separate from all forms of apostasy and heresy. We believe that there are many movements which fit under the umbrella of “Christianity” which need to be identified and rejected as opposed to biblical teaching.
• We reject the ecumenical movement, which seeks the organizational unity of all “Christianity” and ultimately all religions, because it encourages the emphasis of unity at the expense of true Biblical doctrine.
• We reject modernism (theological liberalism), which denies or questions fundamental doctrines of the faith, such as the inerrancy of the Scripture, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the creation of Man by God, the judgment of God upon unredeemed humanity, the substitutionary death of Christ, etc.
• We reject neo-orthodoxy which, while affirming the transcendence of God, the finiteness and sinfulness of man, and the necessity of supernatural divine revelation of the truth, seriously departs from orthodoxy, redefines biblical terminology, accepts the views of destructive higher criticism, denies the inerrancy of the Scriptures as historic revelation, accepts religious experience as the criterion of truth, and abandons other important truths of the Christian faith.
• We reject neo-evangelicalism, which, for the sake of evangelism, co-operates with modernists, liberals, churches and/or organizations who deny fundamental doctrines of the faith.
• We believe that it is Scriptural for this Church to avoid ecclesiastical association with any person who associates with false doctrine or any organization which tolerates false doctrine among its members. (2 Corinthians 6:14–18; Revelation 18:4; 2 John 7–11; Jude 3, 4; Philippians 3:2, 3; Matthew 7:15–21; Acts 20:28–31; 1 Corinthians 5:11–13)

Doctrine of Church Ordinances

Baptism

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local Church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful way our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour. We believe it symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Baptism has no merit in salvation, but is a step of obedience by the saved person. (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36–39; 10:47, 48; 16:30–34; John 3:23; Matthew 3:6; Matthew 3:16; Romans 6:4, 5; Mark 16:16; Colossians 2:12)

The Lord’s Supper

We believe that the bread and fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper are symbols of the body and blood of Christ and that the Supper should be observed as a remembrance of Christ until He comes. We believe that in no sense is the Lord’s Supper a sacrifice or continuation of the sacrifice of Christ, or that there is any change in the nature of the elements during their administration. Observance of the Lord’s Supper is for believers only and should be preceded by solemn self-examination. (Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:15–20; Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)

Doctrine of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth. (Genesis 9:5, 6; Romans 13:7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:17; Acts 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17, 18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:10; Philippians 2:10, 11; Psalms 72:11)

Doctrine of Future Events

We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ; His return from heaven; the resurrection of the dead; the eternal blessedness of the saved and the eternal punishment of the lost. (John 14:1–3; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 20:1–6; Revelation 20:11–15; Matthew 25:31–46)

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the profession of our faith; having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; and to abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We, moreover, engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other Church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.