WE BELIEVE . . .
1. . . . that all Scripture, both Old Testament and New Testament, was given by inspiration of God. It is infallible and inerrant and is the supreme and final authority of faith and practice. II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:16-17
2. . . . in one true and living God revealed in the Scriptures as eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 14:26; II Corinthians 13:14
3. . . . that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He is the only true God and true man. He lived a sinless life upon this earth, and He died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. He rose bodily from the grave on the third day and later ascended bodily into Heaven where He continues His ministry at the right hand of God as our Advocate and Great High Priest. He will one day soon personally and visibly return to earth to set up His Kingdom. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1, 14; I John 5:20; Hebrews 4:15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24; Luke 24:36-38; Acts 1:9-11; I John 2:1-2; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 4:14-16; Matthew 25:31-32; Revelation 20:6
4. . . . that the Scriptures assign to the Holy Spirit all attributes of God. His ministry in the world includes reproving, regenerating, indwelling, guiding, and empowering men. Acts 5:3-4; John 16:7-11; John 3:3-5; I Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:14; Acts 1:8
5. . . . that man was created by the direct act of God. He was made in the image of God, and in his original state was innocent. By exercise of his own free will he disobeyed God and thereby fell into a state of sin and condemnation. Each descendant inherits a fallen, sinful nature and is under the condemnation of God. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:3
6. . . . that salvation is a gift of God’s grace and is received by: 1) repentance – the renouncing and forsaking of one’s sins, and 2) faith – the personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, trusting in His atoning sacrifice at the cross; and that there is no other means of being saved. Luke 13:3; Isaiah 55:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; John 14:6; John 1:12-13: Acts 4:12; John 5:46-47
7. . . . that God has determined from the beginning to save all who should comply with the conditions of salvation and that those who trust Christ constitute His elect. God has given to man the freedom of choice, permitting him to yield to the influence of the truth and the Spirit and live, or to resist them and perish. Scripture is clear that God desires the salvation of all men everywhere. Romans 8:29-30; I Peter 1:2; I Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:11; II Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17
8. . . . that every believer is sanctified in Christ at conversion and continues during the Christian life. The believer is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Sanctification is completed when the believer stands in the presence of Christ, either at death or by the rapture. I Corinthians 13:10; Hebrews 10:10; II Peter 3:18; Philippians 3:12-15; I Corinthians 13:10; Hebrews 12:23; I John 3:2
9. . . . that God has given to the believer Scriptural grounds for a positive assurance of salvation. Through the believer’s faith, God has promised and provided to keep His children. But God has also clearly warned the Christian against the possibility of making ship-wreck of his personal faith in Christ and thereby becoming an apostate. If such should happen, there is no remedy, and He cannot be restored to salvation. Hebrews 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; I Timothy 1:18-19; John 15:1-7; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 6:1-6; II Peter 2:20-21
10. . . . that God has given His Church three ordinances which are to be observed: 1) Baptism, which is to be administered only to believers, is by immersion and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2) The Lord’s Supper is to be open to all born-again believers present. 3) The Washing of the Saints Feet, an ordinance teaching humility, is of universal obligation, and is to be ministered to all true believers. Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17
11. . . . that the Christian is to live a righteous and holy life, be a witness for Christ, be faithful in attending his church, and support his church in tithes and offerings. Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14-18; II Corinthians 5:17-20; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 10:25; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Titus 2:11-12
12. . . . that all men will stand before God in judgment- the righteous before the Judgment Seat of Christ, when Jesus returns for His Bride, the Church, just prior to the period of tribulation and the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth, and the unrighteous before the Great White Throne Judgment at the close of the Millennial Kingdom. The wicked will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Hebrews 9:27; John 5:29; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20: 1-15; Matthew 25:46