Faith Statement
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We Believe...
- We believe that the Bible is the written revelation of God and that the sixty-six books of the Bible thus constitute the plenary Word by the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Word of God is verbally inspired and in the original documents absolutely inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed. We believe that the Bible is complete and constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice. (1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Pet 1:20,21; Rev 22:18-19)
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in substance, power, and glory, Creator of the universe. (Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Cor 13:14)
- We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, who without any change in His divine character became man by the miracle of the Virgin Birth, thus to continue forever as both true God and true Man. We also believe 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 in His personal return in power and glory. (Jn 1:1,2,14,18; Lk 1:34,35; 24:36-43; Heb 4:14-16; 2 Cor 5:21)
- We believe that Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, was the Creator of the universe and that He did it in six literal 24-hour days as stated in the Genesis record, and that this world was judged and destroyed by the flood of Noah which covered the whole earth. (Gen 1:1-31; 2:7; 5:3; Exo 20:11; Jn 1:3; 1 Cor 15:22; Heb 11:3)
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. We believe that man is a sinner both by nature and by his own choice, and can be brought into God's favor only by God's provision in Christ as applied by the Holy Spirit. This provision is based on grace through faith in Christ, apart from any human merit. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the placing of the new believer into the body of Christ. (Rom 1:16; 3:10-18; 5:12,19; 10:17; Acts 16:14b; Eph 1:7; 2:1-3,8,9; Jn 1:12,13; 3:36; 6:44; Rom 9:16; Phil 1:6; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 Jn 5:1; Eph 4:5; 1 Cor 12:13)
- We believe that all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe that 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. (Jn 10:27-29; Rom 8:29-39; 1 Jn 5:12,13)
- We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and that separation from all sinful pleasures and practices is commanded by God. (Jn 17:17; Rom 6:19,22; Heb 10:25; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 1:3; Rom 12:1,2; Eph 5:18; Gal 5:22,23)
- We believe that the Church is to observe believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper. (Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 11:24)
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. His ministry includes the sovereign bestowing of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:11). God has given each member in the body of Christ specific gifts to edify the Church. While we believe God does supernatural acts today, we also believe that the biblical gifts of healing, miracles, and tongues manifested in the early Church have ceased. (I Cor 12; 13; 14)
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ. (Eph 4:4-6; 1 Cor 12:16)
- We believe in the existence of Satan, a created being who fell and is opposed to all that is holy and is destined for eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire. (Gen 3:1; Isa 14:12-17; Ezek 28:11-19; Matt 4:1; Lk 10:18; Jn 12:31; Rev 20:10; 2 Cor 11:13-15)
- We believe that there is a distinction between the Church and Israel. These distinctions are seen clearly in the age of the Law, the age of the Church, and the coming Millennial Kingdom when Christ will fulfill the promises made to Israel, "and to the Gentiles who believe by faith." (Gen 12; 15; 17; Dan 2; 7; 9; Rom 11)We look forward to the rapture of the Church when Jesus Christ will return for His bride. (1 Thess 1:10; 4:13-18; 2 Thess 2; 1 Cor 15:51-57; Rev 3:10)
- We believe in the Second Coming of Christ when He returns in person to the earth to fulfill His promise of His millennial reign, for a literal thousand years, at which time He will bring all things under His rule and subjection. (Zech. 14:4-11; Matt 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (Lk 14:14; Jn 5:28-29; Rev 20:11-
15)
- We believe in the Great White Throne judgment of God; that if anyone's name is not found written in the Book of Life, they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire unto eternal judgment. (Rev 20:11-15)
- Finally, we believe that those whose names are written in the Book of Life will dwell eternally with God, enjoying His presence forever and ever. (Rev 21:3)
As an addendum on the subject of creation, we consider it very important to present a consistent view of the authority of Scripture. In contradiction to the teachings of evolution, we wish to make clear our understanding that the days of Genesis chapter one are literal, solar days, that the earth is young, that there was no death of animals or man prior to the intrusion of sin through Adam, and that the flood of Noah was a catastrophic, global event.