Statement of Faith

1. We believe in the Holy Scriptures, accepting fully the 66 books of the Old Testament and New Testament as the very Word of God. Verbally inspired in all parts and therefore wholly without error as originally given of God, altogether sufficient in themselves as our only infallible rule of faith and practice. Furthermore, we hold that God has superintended the copying and translating of the Scriptures so that we can depend on the Bible as the very Word of God. II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 5:17-18; Rev. 22:18, 19



2. We believe there is only one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; John 1:1; 4:24; 5:23-26; 10:30; Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:6; II Cor. 13:14; Acts 5:3, 4



3. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ from eternity past to eternity future, His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood., in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power. John 1:1, 14; 2:23; I Peter 3:18; I Timothy 3:15, 16; 2:5; Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:6-10; Isaiah 7:14;9:6



4. We believe that, for the salvation of lost and sinful mankind, the Divine sacrifice, the shed blood of our sinless Savior, is the only redemption. This salvation is graciously offered and worked by the Triune God and is made personal by faith in Christ and repentance from sin and not at all by any, work of man. John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Eph. 1:7; Isaiah 53:4-7; I Peter 2:22-24; Romans 3:23-28; Titus 3:5; John 6:44



5. We believe in the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity and that He convicts the world of sin, regenerates, indwells, enlightens, empowers, baptizes, guides, teaches, and sanctifies all who become children of God through Christ. Matthew 28:19; Gen. 1:2; John 16:8-11; I Cor. 6:19; 12:13; Romans 8:14; Eph. 4:30



6. We believe in both the resurrection of the saved and the lost; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of damnation. Phil. 1:21-23; Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15; Rev. 20:1-6; II Cor. 5:8; John 5:28,29



7. We believe that a local Church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; it is self-governing in its policy, practices, worship and work; its officers being that of Pastor (elder, bishop) and Deacons. Acts 2:41, 42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:17; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23, 24; Acts 15:13-18



8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the only two Church ordinances.
   Phil. 1:1; Matthew 26:28, 29; I Cor. 11:23, 24



9. We believe that once a person has truly been born again they cannot lose their salvation. Although they may commit sin and grieve the process of sanctification, which sins are not to be viewed lightly, their eternal life is still theirs as a gift of God and not gained nor kept by works. John 10:28; 3:16; Rom. 8:38, 39; Phil. 1:16; Eph. 1:13, 14; 4:30; II Tim. 1:12; I Thes. 5:24



10. We believe in the imminent return of Christ for His bride, the Church, which event is referred to as the rapture (l Thes. 4:13-18) We also believe in these events that shall follow the rapture:

    • Tribulation period of 7 years. Matt. 24:21; Daniel 12:1; Jer. 30:4-7.
    • Coming of a personal Anti-Christ. I John 2:18; II Thes. 2:3,4.
    • Battle of Armageddon. Rev. 16,19.
    • Second Advent of Christ. Rev. 19.
    • Literal 1,000 year reign of Christ. Rev. 20.
    • New Heaven and Earth. II Peter 3:10

11. We believe that with the completion of the New Testament, the sign gifts ceased and are not for our day. This includes the use of tongues, healing, and prophecy as practiced by the modern day Charismatic movement. I Cor. 13:8-10; Rev. 22:18,19

Church Covenant

Pastor:  By what common experience do we enter into spiritual fellowship and covenant relations with one another?

Congregation:  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 Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

What is the bond of our union with one another?

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love.

What are our privileges and duties in this church?

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.

What vows do we gladly make as stewards of what God entrusts to us?

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.

What gracious tasks do we humbly assume?

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.

To what manner of life and conversation are we solemnly pledged?

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, to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

Since one is our Master, even Christ, and all we are brethren, by what fraternal ministries are we to strengthen each other and adorn the teachings of our Lord and Savior?

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

What is our agreement when we move from this community?

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.

What benediction concludes our Covenant?

And may the God of peace who brought again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make us perfect in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.