The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God. 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Acts 24:14; John 5:39.
The scriptures (as contained in the 66 books of the bible) are the final authority on all matters of doctrine, church discipline and instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16; Acts 24:14; Isaiah 8:20.
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Dan. 7:13; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22; John 14:23,26,28; Acts 5:3,4; Eph. 1:17; 2:18; 1 Pet 1:2.
In the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 9:5; John 1:1,2,14; 5:18; 8:58; 14:7-9; 18:4-6; 20:27,28; Phil 2:6; Col 2:9; 2 Tim 3:16; Rev. 1:8.
In His virgin birth. Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31,35.
In His sinless life. 2 Cor 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5.
In His miracles. John 12:37; Acts 2:22; 10:38.
In His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father. Rom 8:34; 14:9; Phil. 2:8-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-5; Acts 1:9.
In His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years. Zech.14:5; Matt. 24:27-30; Rev. 19:11-14, 20:1-6.
In the blessed hope - The Rapture of the Church at Christ's coming. 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Romans 8:23; Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor.15:51,52.
God will make all things new. Death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire with the Devil, his angels, and all whose names are not in the book of life. There will be no more curse or death or suffering! The existing heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire and will dissolve at His presence. God will create a new heavens and earth and will dwell and reign with His redeemed people in the New Jerusalem forever. Rev. 21:1-8; Rev. 20:10,14,15; Rev. 22:3; 2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 20:9,11; Isaiah 9:7; Rev 21:3.
Man is sinful by nature and deeds. He is not good but lost, separated from God, dead in sins, spiritually blind and condemned already. He cannot save himself by good works or by becoming religious. Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:10-18,23; Ecc. 7:20; Mark 10:18; Luke 19:10; 2 Cor. 4:3,4; Isaiah 59:2; Eph 2:1-5; Col. 2:13; Gal. 2:16; Eph 2:8,9; John 3:17-19.
The only means of being cleansed and saved from sin is by grace through repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Mark 1:15; Rom.10:6-13; Eph 2:1-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Acts 2:38; Acts 15:9,11; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7.
Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation. Titus 3:5; Romans 12:2; 1 John 3:9; John 3:3, 5, 7. All believers receive the Holy Spirit when they are born again. John 20:22; 2 Cor 1:21; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9.
The redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body, in answer to believing prayer. Isa. 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24; James 5:14-16. God is sovereign in His choice to heal or not, even when we believe Him to heal. Paul had a thorn in his flesh, which the Lord would not remove because it served His divine purpose to give Paul more grace by keeping him humble and dependent on Him. 2 Cor 12:7-12.
In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. Romans 6: 1-11; 8: 1-2, 13; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 1:5. The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers by continually applying grace to our hearts. He teaches and enables us to obey the Word of God and applies the finished works of Christ. The Spirit of Grace continually leads His children away from sin and toward Christ. Rom 5:5,17; Zech12:10; Heb. 10:29; 1 Peter 1:2.
Grace rightly taught and received by faith leads to holy living. Nothing else can. Any teaching that suggests grace is a license to sin is not the true grace of God, but an abomination. Rom 6:1,2,14-18; Romans 5:17; Hebrews 13:9.
In the Resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life, the other to everlasting damnation. Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8; 1 Cor. 15:51-52.
In the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance and celebration of the Lord’s redemption of our souls by the offering of His body and blood at Calvary. 1 Cor. 11:23-26. The power of the Lord's Supper is spiritual not physical. It is in remembering our Lord's sacrifice and evoking gratitude for our redemption. The elements are symbols to remind us of His love and sacrifice.
In the unity of the saints and the gravity of sound doctrine. That there are doctrines and attitudes worth fighting for and dividing over. Jude 1:3. These “non-negotiables” include: the nature of God, the sinful condition of man, the veracity and authority of the scriptures, the conditions of faith and repentance for salvation, eternal judgment for the lost, and sanctification through the faith in the finished work of Christ.
Although all doctrine is true and important, there are subjects believers should not divide over- Some of these are: Unconditional eternal security, the timing of Christ’s return, free will versus sovereignty and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph 4:3. “Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3:15 We must do all in our power to live at peace with all men and to be patient with people who have theological convictions different from ours. If they are brothers, we can trust the Spirit to reveal where their thinking is contrary to His truth. 2 Cor 13:11; Rom 12:18.
In biblical church discipline for all members who willfully walk contrary to clear biblical commands. Sins that demand church discipline include but are not limited to the sins listed in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:9,10; and Galatians 5:19-21. Living together outside of biblical marriage is prohibited according to Romans 13:13. Chambering includes cohabitation. Members living in sin without repentance (by the testimony of two or three witnesses) will be confronted by the Pastor and/or elders for the purpose of bringing to repentance and restoration. If in the process of correction and biblical counsel the member refuses to listen and turn away from their sin back to Christ, they must be removed from the church body and refused all participation including fellowship over meals. This is not to destroy them, but to make them ashamed in the hope that God will grant them repentance and they can be restored to Christ and the body of believers. 1 Corinthians 5:3-13; 2 Thess 3:14,15. God has vested His authority in the Pastor and elders of the church for the purpose of building up the body, but that authority may also be used for judgment of those who stubbornly hold to their sins. 2 Cor 12:20,21; 13:1,2,10.
We believe regarding baptisms:
1. The baptism into Christ and His body by the Spirit at conversion. This is a spiritual baptism, not by human hands. 1 Cor 12:13; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Peter 3:21.
2. In believer’s baptism by immersion with water in accordance with the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Water baptism does not save the soul, but is a necessary act of obedience publicly declaring one to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Believer’s baptism is a declaration that we have been united with Christ in His death to sin and resurrected with Him in new life. Those claiming to be believers, yet refusing to be baptized are living in rebellion to God’s word and Spirit. Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Cor. 1:14-17
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit by Jesus as a second and subsequent event to salvation, is given to believers who ask and believe for it according to the scriptures. It is in every gospel: Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:29-33; What did Peter call what happened to Cornelius and his house in Acts 10:43-47? He remembered what Jesus had said while he was with them: Acts 11:15,16. After the Samaritans received and believed the gospel that Philip preached they were baptized (with water in believer’s baptism), yet when the apostles at Jerusalem heard about it, they sent Peter and John that “they might receive the Holy Ghost”. The Samaritans were already saved by faith and possessed the Spirit, yet received a subsequent filling-Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:12-17; See also Acts 1:4,5,8; 2:1-4; 19:1-6. Gal 3:5. The disciples were commanded not to go until they had waited in Jerusalem and received the promise of the Father. Acts 1:4:5. The primary purpose for the baptism with the Spirit is for power to be witnesses for Jesus- Acts 1:8. See also 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14.