We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, a personal and intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, infinite in all perfections, 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 Spirit; 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 (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 145:3; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Tim. 1:17).

We believe 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; that it was written by men who were divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the only sufficient, certain, and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience (Ps. 19:7-9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that God, from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the will and responsibility of mankind (Prov. 16:33; Is. 46:9-11; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; Jas. 1:13-15).

We believe that God created Man in his own image, and originally 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 inherited a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and his law, and are under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-19; Eph. 2:1-3).

We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility (Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 1:27-29; Eph. 1:4, 11; 2:1-10).

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, and is accomplished through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who is the divinely appointed mediator between God and mankind. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, and suffered and died upon the cross to make a full atonement for sinners who repent and believe in Him. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He will return again visibly and bodily. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe (Isa. 53:10-12; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Gal. 3:13; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 1:1-3).

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. Regeneration is a change of heart, produced by the Holy Spirit, who gives life to those dead in trespasses and sins, enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone (John 3:3; Eph. 2:1-6; Tit. 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18).

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, produced in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; that Repentance is an evangelical 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, turns to God with sincere remorse, humbles himself with godly sorrow, and commits to walk before God so as to please Him in all things; and that saving Faith is also an evangelical 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 (Ps. 32:1-5; Luke 5:8; 18:9-14; Acts 2:37-38; 11:15-18; Rom. 3:27-28; 4:1-5; 4:17-25; 2 Cor. 7:10-11; Eph. 2:8; Jas. 2:14-26).

We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in Him is Justification; that Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners wherein He removes our guilt and reconciles us to Himself; that it is bestowed through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not in consideration of anything produced in us or done by us, but solely on account of His substitutionary death on the cross, and on the basis of His perfect righteousness, which is freely imputed to us by God; and that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:23-25; 5:1-2, 9, 18; 8:28-34; 2 Cor. 5:21; Titus 3:5-7).

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 gracious, repentant, 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 results in an aggravated condemnation (John 3:16; Acts 17:30; Rom. 1:16; 2:5; 3:10-11; 10:17; Rev. 20:15).

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; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on for the duration of life in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the word of God, the communion of the saints, self- examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:27; Rom. 8:1-17; Gal. 5:13-25; 2 Peter 1:3-11).

We believe that all those whom God has regenerated will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall through neglect and temptation 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 salvation (John 6:37-40; 10:28-29; Rom. 8:28-39; 1 Cor. 1:8-9; Phil. 1:6). 

We believe that Christians are to associate themselves into particular churches, according to Christ’s commandment; that a 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; that its primary duties are the reading and preaching of God’s Word, the right administration of Christ’s ordinances, and the faithful exercise of discipline over its members; and that its only scriptural officers are Elders (Pastors)* and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus (John 10:16; Acts 20:17, 28; Eph. 1:22; 5:23; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 5:17-18; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 10:25).

*The New Testament Greek words επισκοπος, πρεσβυτερος, and ποιμην may be translated bishop/overseer, elder, and pastor, respectively. All of these terms, while distinct in name, are alike in function, meaning, and significance. For the remainder of this document, said office will be referred to as Elder.

We believe that Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that it is to be done by immersion to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that its only proper subjects are those who do actually profess repentance towards God, and faith in and obedience to the Lord Jesus; and that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of church membership, and to the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 1:13).

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, observed by eating of the bread and drinking of the cup, and is to be observed by His churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate His death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church membership (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-34).

The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Heb. 4:8-13; Rev. 1:10).

We believe that it is the duty of every church and every Christian to extend the gospel to all men everywhere. As faith comes by hearing the Word of God, we are to seek by all methods sanctioned in Scripture to persuade men to seek Jesus Christ and His salvation (Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:45-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:17).

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. 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. 1:28; 2:18, 24; Neh. 13:25-27; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5-6; 1 Cor. 7:2, 9, 39; Heb. 13:4).

We believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. We also believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and 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 King of the kings of the earth (Matt. 15:9; Acts 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7; 14:4; Col. 2:20-23).

We believe that death is not the end; that though the bodies of men after death return to dust, their spirits live on, the righteous departing immediately to be with the Lord, and the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead, both the righteous and the wicked, from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place which will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, the wicked being sentenced to everlasting conscious punishment, and the righteous to everlasting life and joy (Matt. 25:46; John 5:22, 27-29; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:12-28; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Phil. 1:23; Rev. 7:13-17; 14:9-11).