Table of Contents

1. The Scriptures
2. The True God
   1. God the Father
   2. God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ
   3. God the Holy Spirit
3. Creation & Mankind
4. The Fall & Sin
5. Salvation
   1. Election
   2. Regeneration
   3. Repentance and Faith
   4. Justification
   5. Sanctifiication
   6. Preservation & Glorification
6. The Church
7. Ordinances
   1. Baptism
   2. The Lord's Supper
8. The Lord's Day
9. Last Things
10. Human Sexuality, Marriage and Children
    1. Human Sexuality
    2. Marriage
    3. Children

I. The Scriptures 

We believe & teach that the Bible, specifically the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, is the written word of God and thus God’s revelation to men (Ex 24:4;Dt 4:1-2; 17:19; Josh 8:34). We believe it to be verbally inspired, inspired equally in all its parts, inerrant, infallible, totally sufficient and trust-worthy in its entirety as well as its parts, and is the sole authority for the church and final authority for doctrine and practice (Ps 119; 89, 105; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3; cf. Ps 119:11). We deny that the Bible is a mere witness to the divine revelation, or that any portion of Scripture is marked by error or the effects of human sinfulness (Ps 18:30; 19:7-10; 119:11; John 17:17). We deny that any portion of the Bible is to be used in an effort to deny the truthfulness or trustworthiness of any other portion (Matt 5:17-18; John 10:25). We further deny any effort to identify a canon within the canon (Heb 1:1-2; 1 Pet 1:10-12).

II. The True God 

We believe and teach that there is but one true and living God (1 Cor 8:4, 6; Deut 6:4; Jer 10:10),  an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of heaven and earth (Gen 1-2; Ex 20: 11; Ps 8:3; Ps 115:3; Is 46:10; 66:1-2; John 4:24; Heb 1: 2-3; Rev 4:11) inexpressibly glorious in holiness, infinite in all perfections, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (Ex 34:6-7; Ps 90;2; 145:3; Isa 6:3; 1 John 4:8; Rev 4:11); we believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Gen 1:1-3, 26; Ps 45:6-7; 110:1; Heb 1:8-9; Jn 5:16-30; Eph 4:4-6; 1Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21); equal in every divine perfection and without division of nature, essence, or being; yet each having distinct personal attributes and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (John 3:5-8, 16; 5:16-30; 6:38 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; Gal 4:4; Eph 1:3-13; Heb 10:5-7).

A. God the Father 

We believe and teach that God is the Creator, having, of his own will and by his powerful word, made heaven and earth, all things visible and invisible, for his own glory, and continues to uphold all things to this end by the same means (Gen 1:1; Rom 4:17; Heb 11:3; Rev 4:11). We believe that he reigns with providential care over the universe and that, from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, perpetually  upholding, directing, and governing all creatures and all events (Ps 90: 2; 115:2-3; 135:6; Dan 4:34-35; Eph 1:11); yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures (Dt 32:4; Hab 1:13; 1 John 1:5; James 1:13; Rev 15:3-4).

B. God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe and teach that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God come in flesh (Matt 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 16:16-17, 27; 17:5; John 1:1-3, 14; 3:13 Lk 5:24; Col 1:15, 19; 2:9). He is the second person of the Holy Trinity, and is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19; John 1:1, 18; 10:30; 14:7-9; 17:5; 1 Cor 8:6; Phil 2:6; Heb 1:8-12; 1 Pet 1:2). In his incarnation, he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary and became a man (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:18-23; Luke 1:35; Gal 4:4). He is truly God and truly man, two natures united in one person forever (Col 1:19; 2:9). He surrendered the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence (Phil 2:6-8). He accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity. He lived a life of faithful and perfect obedience to God under his law, committing no sin but being perfectly righteous (1 Cor 5:21; Gal 4:4; Heb 4:14-15; 7:26-28;1 Pet 1:19; 2:22-24; 3:18; 1 John 2:1). He was betrayed into the hands of lawless men and crucified under Pontius Pilate (Matt 26:47—27:14; Luke 23:1ff [cf. 1 Tim 6:13]; John 18:1-40; Acts 2:22-24). His death was the substitutionary sacrifice to atone for sin which achieved redemption from sin (Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:1-4; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 1:4; 3:13; Eph 1:7; Col 1:20-21; 2:13-14; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 1:4; 1 Pet 1:11-12; 2:22-24; 3:18; 1 John 4:9-10). He was raised on the third day by the Holy Spirit in which he was appointed the Son of God in power (Acts 2:25-36; Rom 1:3-4; 1 Cor 15:1-58; Eph 1:20-23; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Pet 3:18-22; Rev 1:18). He was seen by his disciples and many other eye-witnesses before he ascended into heaven to the right hand of God the Father as the exalted Lord and Christ (Matt 28:16-20; Luke 24; John 20-21; Acts 1:1-11; 1 Cor 15:5-8; Eph 1:20-21; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:3; 1 Pet 1:22).  Salvation is found fully and exclusively in him (Acts 4:12). He is the One Mediator in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). He will return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate His redemptive mission (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor 15; Phil 1:9-11; 1 Thess 4:13—5:5; 2 Thess 1:5-10; 1 Pet 1:13; 4:5, 18; 2 Pet 3:10).

C. God the Holy Spirit 

We believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune God, and, thus, a distinct and divine person within the God-head (Luke 3:21-22; John14:16; Acts 2:33; 16:7; Rom 8:27; 1 Cor 2:10-11; 12:11; Eph 4:30). He is co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (John 14:16-16:15; Rom 8; Rom 15:30; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Gal 4:4-6; Eph 1:3-13; 2:18; 3:14-19; 4:4-6; Col 1:3-8; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Pet 1:2). He proceeds from the Father and the Son and works in union with them. The Holy Spirit inspired the Holy Scriptures, illuminates understanding, exalts Christ, and convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11; Acts 2:33 [cf. Joel 2:9]; Eph 1:13 ). He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration, he baptizes them into Christ. It is in Christ where we experience the blessings achieved by his finished work, such as, justification, adoption, seal, sanctification, perseverance, union with him in our death, and glorification (John 3:5, Acts 11:15; Rom 8:14-16;1 Cor  6:11;12:3;  Gal 4:4-6; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Thess 2:13; Tit 3:5; 1 Pet 1:2). In the life of the believer the Holy Spirit leads, cultivates his fruit in their lives, comforts them, assures them, convicts them, and governs them. He sovereignly grants Christ’s people gifts in order to advance Christ kingdom and build up his body (1 Cor 12:3-11; Eph 5:18

III. Creation & Mankind  

We believe and teach that, by his word, God created the world in six days (Gen 1:1-31; Ex 20:8-11; Heb 11:3). God created all things good and for his glory (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 11:36; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2; Rev  4:11). We believe that man was created as the pinnacle of God’s creation, having been made in the image of God and as male and female, and free from sin (Gen 1:26-28). Human beings were made to represent and reflect God as they rule over the creation as God’s image bearers (Gen 1:28). Since all human beings are made in the image of God, each person possesses dignity, is to be treated as such, each human life is sacred from conception (Gen 1:26-29; 9:5-6 ;Ps 8:3-8; James 3:9). 

IV. The Fall & Sin 

We believe and teach that Mankind was created in God’s image and free from sin, but, through the temptation of Satan, Man voluntarily transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, having shared in Adam’s guilt and inherited a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and his law, and are under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse. 

Sin is a failure to conform to God’s moral standards in act, attitude, or nature. It is rebellion against, disobedience to, and betrayal of the true God and Creator. The totality of our being is corrupted by sin. To be part of sinful humanity is to have the intellect, emotions, desires, the heart (the center for desires and decision-making process), goals, will, motives, and physical bodies corrupted by sin. Not only this, but human beings, as sinners, lack the power to do anything in itself that will please God as well as the ability to come to God in our own power. Sin manifests itself in thought, desire, motive, attitude, words, and deeds. 

V. Salvation 

We believe and teach that salvation is wholly of grace (Eph 2:8; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5). It is accomplished through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (Matt 1:21; Acts 3:22-23; 7:37; Heb 4:14—5:10; 10:19-21). He, being appointed by the Father, freely took upon our human nature, yet was without sin, honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and, by his death, made full atonement for our sins (John 1:14; Rom 8:3; Cal 4:4; Phil 2:7, 8;Heb 2:14:17; 4:15). Christ, having risen from the dead, is now enthroned in heaven (Acts 758; Rom 1:4: Eph 1:20); the Lord Jesus Christ, uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (Matt 12:28-30; 15:32; Lk 5:13; Col 2:9; Heb 4:14-15). This salvation achieved by Christ involves the redemption of the whole person (Rom 8:29-30; Col 1:27; 2 Tim 2:11-12). It is offered freely to all who come to Jesus, through faith, as Lord and Savior (Rom 10:8-13). 

A. Election

Election is God’s eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life-not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ-in consequence of which choice they are called, regenerated, justified, sanctified, and glorified (Rom 8;29-30; 9:9-13, 15-16;. 1 Cor 1:26-29; 1 Pet 1:1-2) Election, being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, comprehends all the means in connection with the end. We believe and teach that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable (Ex 33:19; Rom 11:33-36). Election utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree. Election may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; it is the foundation of Christian assurance and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

B. Regeneration 

We believe and teach that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again, that is, they must experience the new birth (John 3:3, 5). Regeneration consists in God giving a holy disposition to the mind. It is the creative work of God whereby new spiritual life is brought into existence so that a person responds rightly to God and his gospel (2 Cor 4:6; 5:17; Eph 2:1-5, 9-10. It is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22-25). We further believe that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (1 Jn 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18)..

C. Repentance and Faith 

We believe and teach that repentance and faith is the right and saving response to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38). They are holy duties that are inseparable graces produced by regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Repentance is a work of God’s grace wherein a person, being deeply convinced by the Holy Spirit of his guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, genuinely turns away from sin and turns toward God with unfeigned contrition, humbles himself with godly sorrow, and commits to walk before God so as to please him in all things (Acts 2:37-39; 1 Thess 1:9-10); Faith is also a work of God’s grace whereby a person believes, on God’s authority, whatsoever is revealed in His word concerning Christ, accepting, relying, and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life and a commitment of the entire personality to Christ as Lord and Savior (Rom 5:1; 10:8-10; Heb 11:1, 6). 

D. Justification 

We believe and teach that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith (Zech 3:1-5; Rom 3:24-26; 4:5; 5:17-19; 8:33; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 8:12Phil 3:9).

E. Sanctification

We believe and teach that those who have been regenerated are also sanctified by God’s word and Spirit dwelling in them (Eph 1:13-14; Phil 1:6). This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in sincere obedience to all Christ’s commands (John 17:17; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 5:22-12; Eph 2:10; 4:22-24; Phil 2:12-13; Col 3:10 ; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 John 3:1-3).

F. Preservation and Glorification 

We believe and teach that those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by his Holy Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but will certainly persevere to the end; we believe that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (Rom 8:29-39; 1 John 2:19; Jude 24-25); we believe that a special Providence watches over their welfare. We also believe that though, through neglect and temptation, they may fall into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the church and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto the culmination of salvation known as glorification, the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed (John 6:38-40; 10:27-30; Rom 8:1f, 28-39; Eph 1:13-14; Phil 1:6; 1 Pet 1:5).

VI. The Church 

We believe that the Church is the new assembly, the new humanity, the new covenant community, the eschatological people of God, the new temple, and the body of Christ which includes all the redeemed in Christ of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation (Matt 16:15-19; Acts 2:1-42, 47; 1 Cor 3:10-11; 2 Cor 6:14—7:1; Eph 2:14-15, 19-22, 4:15-16; 1 Pet 2:4-10) . We believe that Christians are to associate themselves into particular congregations, according to Christ’s commandment (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; Heb 10:24-25). We believe that the visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, bound together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, and exercising the various gifts given them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church; We believe that its primary duties are the reading and preaching of God’s Word, prayer, the right administration of Christ’s ordinances, and the faithful exercise of discipline over its members (Matt 18:15-20; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 1 Tim 4:13). We believe that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder is limited to men as qualified by Scripture (1 Tim 3:1-11; Tit 1:5-9).

VII. Ordinances 

A. Baptism 

We believe and teach that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:18-20). It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior (Acts 2:22-41; 8:26-38; 9:1-18 [cf. Acts 22:16]; Acts 10:34-48; 16:11-15, 25-33; Gal 4:3:26-27; 1 Pet 3:21), the believer's death to sin (Rom 6:1-3), the burial of the old life (Rom 6:4-6), and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:1-6). It is a testimony to the believer’s faith in the final resurrection of the dead (Rom 6:8; cf. Col 2:12; 31-4). It is the public declaration of the believer’s identification with Christ and His people (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41). Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-47).

B. The Lord’s Supper

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming (Matt 26:26-29). We believe and teach that it is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate Christ’s death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge, marker, and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship as the new covenant people of God  (Lk 22:14-21; 1 Cor 10:16,21; 11:23-29).

VIII. The Lord’s Day

We believe and teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance (Acts 20:7; Rev 1:10). It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both in the public assembling as a local church and in private (Matt 28:1ff; Mark 16:1-7; Lk 24:1-3, 33-36; John 20:1, 19-28; Acts 20:7 [cf. 1 Cor 11:17-20]; 1 Cor 16:1-3; cf. 1 Cor 15:1-4). Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

IX. Last Things

We believe and teach that God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth (Matt 16:27a; 24:27,30; 25:31; 26:64; Mark 8:38; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:16) the dead will be raised (Dan 12:3; John 5:28-29; 11:24; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thess 4:17), and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord (Isa 2:4; 11:9; Matt 16:27Acts 17:31; Rom 14:10; 1 Cor 4:5; 2 Cor 5:16; 2 Thess 1:7ff; 2 Tim 4:1; 2 Pet 3:7; Rev 20:1-22). 

X. Human Sexuality, Marriage and Children

A. Human Sexuality

We believe and teach that God has created human beings in the image of God as male and female (Gen 1:26-27; 9:6; James 3:9); that the divinely ordained differences between male and female reflect God’s original creation design and are meant for human good and human flourishing (Gen 1:28; Gen 1:31); that self-conception as male or female should be defined by God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption as revealed in Scripture (Matt 19:4-6); that adopting a homosexual or transgender self-conception is rebellion against God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption (Gen 1:26-28; 2:18-25; 1 Cor 6:9-10); that it is sinful to approve of homosexuality or transgenderism and that such approval and/or celebration constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness (Rom 1:1-32; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Eph 5:1-14); that God’s revealed will for all people is chastity outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage (1 Cor 6:18-20; 7:1-5; 1 Thess 4:1-12). 

B. Marriage

We believe and teach that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime (Gen 2:18-25; Matt 19:4-6; Rom 7:2-3). It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race (Gen 1:26-27; 2:18-25; Psalm 1273-5; Prov 18:22; 1 Cor 7:1-5; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:19-20).

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God since both are created in God's image (Gen 1:26-27). The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25; Col 3:19). He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family(Eph 5:26-30). A wife is to submit herself graciously to the headship of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ (Eph 5:22-24; Col 3:18). She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation (Gen 2:18-25; Eph 5:33).

C. Children

We believe and teach that life begins at conception and that children, from that moment of, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord (Gen 1:28; 9:1; 25: 21-22; Ex 21:22-25; Amos 1:13; Ps 127:3-5). Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children the Scripture, spiritual and moral values, and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents (Ex 20:12; Dt 6:4-9; Eph 6:1-4; Col 3:20).