Doctrinal Statement

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible.  The Old and New Testament are definitely inspired word for word. The Scripture is the Final Authority in all matters of faith, morals, and practice.  We recognize the 1611 King James Bible as the fulfillment of God's promise to preserve His Word in Psalm 12:6-8.

SOVEREIGN GODHEAD

God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere), and omniscient (knows all).  We believe there is one God, eternally existent, Creator of heaven and earth.  He is manifested in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and each having the same attributes and perfections.

Deuteronomy 6:4 | II Corinthians 13:14 | Isaiah 7:14 | Isaiah 9:6 | Genesis 1:2
John 14:9 | I Timothy 3:16 | I John 5:7

God is a Person, eternally existing as a Trinity in unity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three Persons and yet but one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6).  Although the word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible, the word "Godhead" certainly is (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9).  The Godhead became incarnate in the Person of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9).

Christians are not "polytheists" because we do NOT believe in multiple Gods.  We believe there is one God Who has manifested (or revealed) Himself to mankind in the form of a Godhead.  Jesus Christ is called the "Everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6.  Jesus plainly declared that He and the Father were ONE (John 10:30).  Colossians 2:2 calls this the "mystery of God."  We don't have to understand Jesus to be saved, we just need to believe on Him.

THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.

John 1: 1,3 | Luke 1:35

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is sinless and perfect, and that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead.

Romans 3:24,25 | I Peter 2:24 | Ephesians 1:7 | I Peter 1:3-5

His death was to pay for all sins (past, present, and future) of all the world.

II Corinthians 5:21 | Hebrews 10:10-14 | Hebrews 9:28 | Acts 13:38-41 | I Peter 2:24
I John 3:5

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and He is now exalted at he right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.

Acts 1:9,10 | Hebrews 9:24 | Hebrews 7:25 | Romans 8:34 | I John 2:1,2

Jesus Christ, eternally existing, is the only begotten Son of God, Who became a man totally apart from sin, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man (Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-15; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15).  Jesus is Almighty God (John 10:33; Revelation 1:8).  Jesus is the Creator (John 1:2-3; Colossians 1:16).  The Creator became flesh (John 1:10-14).

THE FALLEN HUMAN RACE - THE SIN NATURE

We believe each member of the human race is fallen, sinful and lost, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of man.

Romans 3:23 | John 3:7 | Titus 3:5 | Luke 24:49

Man was created in the image of God but chose to sin, bringing not only physical death but also spiritual death into the world.  Physical death is separation of the soul and spirit from the body.  Every human being is born spiritually dead, without God.  Each person must be born again for God's Holy Spirit to give life to our spirit.  The second death is separation from God for all eternity for those who fail to become born again in this life.  All people must die a physical death, but we can avoid the second death through being born again.  All mankind is totally depraved, having inherited a sinful nature from Adam; is inclined toward sinning; and is by nature sinful in thought, word, and deed (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:16, 17; 3:6-19; Romans 3:10-23; 6:23).  The sin nature cannot be corrected through education, reformation, or indoctrination.  The sin nature cannot be tamed (Jeremiah 17:9).  The only hope is in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:1).

BLOOD SACRIFICE

The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died as a vicarious (substitutionary) sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. He arose from the dead in the same body in which He was crucified; He visibly ascended into Heaven in the glorified body where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father as Head of the Church, making intercession for the saints as our High Priest (Luke 24; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 1:20-23; I Peter 3:18).  It is Jesus' blood that atones for our sins, not just the death of Christ.  If the blood hadn't been applied to the mercy seat in Heaven, eternity in hell would be eminent for all.  From the blood sacrifice of Abel to the blood of the Lamb in Revelation, the major theme of the Word of God is Christ's blood.

SALVATION

Man is lost and must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Salvation is by grace alone through personal faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross (John 1:12; 3:3-7; Ephesians 2:8,9)

We believe that man is saved by undeserved mercy through faith in Christ's atoning work, and nothing of man enters into his salvation.  Salvation is 100% of God.  It is a free gift.  Man's efforts, regardless of how good or well intended, before or after salvation, have nothing to do with obtaining or keeping salvation.  Salvation is by the finished work of Christ, and nothing can be added to it (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9; Galatians 2:16; Romans 4:3-5; Romans 11:6; Colossians 2:13; Romans 3:22).

We believe repentance is necessary for salvation. The Greek word for "repent" is "metaneo", which translated into English means "to change one’s mind." It does not mean "to turn from sin", since that would mean works for salvation. 

• Repentance for salvation means a change of mind from man's ideas of salvation and religion to an acceptance of God's way of salvation.
   

• Many teach repentance for salvation incorrectly by including some form of human effort or righteousness, such as willingness to turn from sin, a commitment, or turning from sin.  This is heresy and has confused many people because it adds works to salvation.  This is "Galatianism" (Lordship Salvation), which is a counterfeit of the Gospel and is completely unscriptural.  The church of Galatia was about to yoke together with a false religion, the Apostle Paul warned in Galatians 1:7…"but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
   

• It is a tragedy that many Christians live shallow Christian lives.  The Word of God emphasizes the importance of total dedication, not to be saved, but because we are saved. "Shallow Christianity" cannot be cured by adding works to salvation.  Nor can we, as Christians, assume that because we do not see what we consider adequate "evidences" of salvation, that a person is not saved.  Although we should separate from unseparated believers, it is wrong for us to say that they are not saved based upon works alone.  Yes, a man becomes a "new creature" in Christ when he gets saved, but the Bible is filled with believers who departed from God and didn't lose their salvation (like kind David when he committed adultery, impregnated Bathsheba, and then murdered her husband in an attempt to cover his wickedness).  David when he repented asked God to restore unto him the "joy" of salvation, not salvation itself (Psalm 51:12). 
   

• The true child of God is not under the law, but is under grace.  He is saved by grace and disciplined by grace (Romans 6:14,15; Romans 11:6; II Corinthians 3:17).  Nevertheless, the child of God is still expected to fulfill the law as an act of obedient (Romans 3:31, "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law)."  No believer has a license to sin.
   

• Salvation is not the result of what we do, but it is the result of receiving what Christ has done for us.  There are two types of religions: Do and DONE.  Either you believe that you must DO something to enter Heaven (which is a sure road to Hell), or else you believe upon Christ because of what He has already DONE for you in atoning for your sins (Acts 13:38,39; Galatians 1:8,9; Galatians 2:16,21; Galatians 3:1-3 Galatians 5:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Corinthians 5:21; Corinthians 11:13-15; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5-8; John 3:16-18).

We believe it is every Christian's privilege and duty to make clear God's plan of salvation wherever and in whatever vocation he or she may be (Mark 16:15; I Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 28:19, 20).

How to be saved from the Bible:

• All men are sinners.

Romans 3:10 | Isaiah 64:6 | Romans 3:23 | James 2:10 | Jeremiah 17:9
 

• The penalty of sin is death, which includes a second death in Hell.

Romans 6:23 | Ezekiel 18:20 | Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8
 

• God in His love has provided a Sin-bearer, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sins.

1 John 3:16 | II Corinthians 5:21 | Philippians 3:9 | Isaiah 53:6 | I Peter 3:18
 

• Man needs only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour for the forgiveness of sins and salvation.

John 3:16 | Romans 10:9 | John 1:12 | Acts 16:31 | John 6:40 | John 10:9 | Romans 10:13
 

• Man can be certain of his salvation immediately upon believing on Christ as Saviour, and his salvation cannot be lost because God cannot lie.  Eternal life is eternal.

Titus 1:2 | John 6:37-39 | John 10:28 | I Peter 1:5 | Hebrews 10:10-14 | I John 5:13

BAPTISM

Baptism is an ordinance performed by immersion in water, as an act of obedience to the scripture only upon subsequent faith in Christ (Mat. 28:19). Baptism is not a means to grace, and is not an initiation to the Christian belief system or the church. Baptism is administered to a believer, upon profession of their faith, and is an ordinance to emulate the Baptism of Jesus which a believer has previously experienced upon that faith (Mat. 20:23, Mark. 10:39, Luke 12:50, Rom. 6:3). 

The only valid means of baptism is by immersion in water. Baptism by effusion (pouring), or aspersion (sprinkling) are rejected as valid modes of Baptism (Mat. 3:16, Acts 8:38,39).

As a result of the previous statements, pedo-baptism (infant baptism) is rejected as valid because an infant does not have the sophistication level required to make a conscious decision regarding faith. The subjects of Baptism in Matthew 28:20 are those who have been taught "whatsoever things" Jesus had commanded. When a person has reached the sophistication level to observe all the things Jesus commanded, he is then qualified to be taught. The "Great Commission" of Matthew 28:19 does not make baptism obligatory it only requires teaching; and baptism, to be harmonious with the gospel would be requisite only upon faith from consequent teaching.

SERVICE

The local church is a group of believers baptized by water; banded together for edification, exhortation, and evangelism as commanded by Christ in the Great Commission; preaching the Gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15; I Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:22, 23)

SECOND COMING

We believe in a pretribulation rapture when Christ will return "FOR" His own.  Seven years later, Christ will return "WITH" His own to begin His literal reign upon the earth for 1,000 years from Jerusalem. 

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is coming again in the air at any moment to "catch up" (rapture) His Church and to reward their service.  The unbelievers left behind on earth will go through a period called the Tribulation, after which Christ shall return visibly to the earth to set up His Kingdom of one thousand years of righteous rule.  The knowledge of God shall fill the earth.  After the 1,000 years are completed, the unbelievers of all ages will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God forever.

The believers will spend eternity in the fullness of joy in Heaven with the Lord (Matthew 24:29-42; I Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 19:11-20:15).  All regrets and tears lingering from the judgment seat of Christ will be wiped away, the former things shall be forgotten (Revelation 21:4).

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person Who Convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and judgment; and that he is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.  The moment a person receives Christ as his Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells that believer.

John 16:8-11 | I Corinthians 3:16 | I Corinthians 12:12-14 | Romans 8:9
Ephesians 1:13,14 | Ephesians 4:30

We believe the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher Who guides believers into all truth, and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled (controlled) with the Spirit.

John 16:13 | John 2:20,27 | Ephesians 5:18

PREDESTINATION AND FOREKNOWLEDGE

We believe God is absolutely sovereign; and in His sovereignty, He gave man a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided. It is God's will that all would be saved and that none should perish. God permits man's destiny to depend upon man's choice.  God never chooses anyone to be saved, nor does he deny anyone the right to be saved.  God hardened Pharaoh's heart in Moses day because Pharaoh's heart was already harder than rock, so God used Pharaoh for His glory and purpose.  The same will happen in the end time (2nd Thessalonians 2:10-12).  Whosoever will may come (Romans 10:13).

I Timothy 2:4 | II Thessalonians 2:13 | I Peter 1:2 | II Peter 3:9 | John 6:64,65
Acts 10:34 | I Corinthians 1:21 | Ephesians 1:5-14 | Romans 8:29,30 | Romans 9:30-32