REVISED STATEMENT OF FAITH
1. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men 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 We also believe 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 supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
2. Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is YAHWEH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity the essence of the of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
3. Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness, required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
4. Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the death, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
5. Of Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness. We also believe that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; 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.
6. Of the Freeness of Salvation
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 a cordial, 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 involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
7. Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
8. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
9. Of God's Purpose of Grace
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end. We also believe that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy. It also encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
10. Of Sanctification
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 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, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
11. Of the Perseverance of Saints
We believe that perseverance is the grand mark which distinguishes believers from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare due to their attachment to Christ; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
12. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin: to deliver them from which and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
13. Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Elders/Overseers or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
14. Of Believer’s Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that baptism is, whenever possible, by immersion into water in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in proclamation of their faith. This shows forth a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in symbolizing our prior death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Water baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of a Church membership. The Lord's Supper should be partaken of only by true believers in Christ, by the sacred use of the elements, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
15. Of the Lord’s Day
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day
by which we should make every effort to assemble together as a local church to be equipped and to build up one another in our most holy faith so that we might be refreshed in order to go out into the world and fulfill the
Great Commission.
16. Of Civil Government
We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. It’s 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 only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the Earth.
17. Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God. These are the truly righteous in His esteem; while those such as continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under a curse. This distinction holds among men both in and after death.
18. Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching, that God, in His own time and in His own way will bring His eternal plan to completion, and that there are still events yet future in God’s plan: that Christ will descend from heaven, that the dead will rise from the grave, that there remains future judgment for all men—both of the righteous and the wicked, that future judgment of all men will fix forever the final state of men in Heaven or Hell on principles of righteousness.
19. Humanity, Human Value and Worth, and Human Sexuality
We believe that God created humanity/mankind, both men and women, in His Own image and likeness. Being created in God’s image is the basis of all human value and worth. Being created in God’s image, together with mankind’s unique DNA, causes mankind to be different from all other living creatures that God created—this is what constitutes humanity. We believe that this humanity, or human life, begins at conception, and that from the moment of conception, humanity, and both human value and worth exist in that living human/organism.
20. Human Sexuality and Sexual Immorality
We believe that God created only two genders, male and female, and that the term gender is historically synonymous with the word sex, and that there are only the two genders/sexes, male and female, that God created. We believe that God commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that transsexuality and transgenderism are contrary to God’s creative actions and are, therefore, sinful. We further believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Gen 2:24; Gen 19:5; Gen 26:8-9; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; I Cor 5:1; 6:9; I Thess 4:1-8; Heb 13:4). We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman (Gen 2:24; Rom 7:2; I Cor 7:10; Eph 5:22-23).