THE BIBLE
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I believe that the Bible, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, was given by divine inspiration and is the Word of God (II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19, 20); that it reveals man's state by nature and presents the only means of his salvation (Romans 3:10, 11, 12 and Eccl. 7:20); that it constitutes the only perfect rule and final authority in all matters pertaining to Christian faith and practice (Acts 17:11; I Thessalonians 2:13); and that it sets forth the principles by which man will be judged (Romans 2:16).
THE GODHEAD
I believe there is only one living and true God, Jehovah (Psalms 83:18; Exodus 6:2, 3); perfect, infinite, and eternal (Matthew 5:48; I Kings 8:27; Psa 90:2); who is unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, love, and truth (Malachi 3:16; I Timothy 1:17; Genesis 17:1; Isaiah 6:3; Exodus 34:6; Jer 31:3); who is the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the Universe (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17; Psalms 103:19; Ephesians 1:11); who exists in three persons: namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; who are equal in their divine perfection and harmonious in the execution of their distinct offices (Matthew 28:19; John 5:17; 10:17; 14:16, 17; 15:26; I John 5:7).
THE FATHER
I believe God is the Father of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son (John 20:17; John 3:16), God the Father made the Supreme Sacrifice in giving His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as propitiation for the sins of the whole world (Matthew 3:17; Romans 3:24, 25; I John 2:2).
THE SON
I believe that in the fullness of time the Son humbled Himself and assumed man's nature by being born of the virgin Mary, thus uniting organically and indissolubly the divine and human natures in their completeness in the one unique person of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14). By becoming man, He was made of near kin to us (Numbers 27:11; Ruth 3:12, 13); and having a body, He could offer it as a sacrifice for us (Hebrews 10:9, 10). Being eternally Jehovah God, (John 1:1-14; Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3) the sacrifice He made on Calvary was infinite in value (John 1:29; I John 2:1, 2).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
a) His Person
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal in all aspects with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Exodus 17:7 with Hebrews 3:7-9; Acts 5:3-4). He proceedeth from the Father and the Son (John 15:26). His principle ministry since His advent at Pentecost is to reprove or convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8-11, R V.); to restrain the progress of evil until God's purposes are accomplished (II Thessalonians 2:7); to bear witness to the truth preached (Acts 5:30-32); to regenerate those who repent of their sins (Luke 13:3); and exercise faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 10:9-10; Gal 3:26; Acts 3:14); to instruct, comfort, and guide God's children (John 14:16-18, 26; 16:13); to sanctify them (II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:1-3); to empower them for life and service (Romans 8:2; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16; I Corinthians 2:1-4; I Thessalonians 1:5); and to quicken their mortal bodies (Romans 8:11).
b) Spiritual Gifts
I believe in spiritual gifts which are God-given abilities to perform specific functions within the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:7.) These gifts are received at salvation and are to be used for the edification of the body. There were temporary gifts; such as apostleship (Acts 1:21-23); prophecy (I Corinthians 13:8); miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4); healing (II Timothy 4:20); tongues (I Corinthians 13:8); interpretation of tongues (I Corinthians 12:10); and discerning of spirits (I Corinthians 12:10). There are also permanent gifts such as the word of wisdom (I Corinthians 12:8); the word of knowledge (I Corinthians 12:8); ministering (Romans 12:7); teaching (Romans 12:7); evangelism (Ephesians 4:11); pastor (Ephesians 4:11); exhortation (Romans 12:8); giving (Romans 12:8); ruling (Romans 12:8); showing mercy (Romans 12:8); helps (I Corinthians 12:28); and faith (I Corinthians 12:9).
MAN
a) His Creation
I believe that man was created by an immediate act of God and not by a process of evolution; that he was created in the image and likeness of God, possessing personality; that he was endowed with power of rational and responsible choice between good and evil; and that the purpose of his creation was to glorify God (Genesis 1:27; Colossians 3:10; Acts 17:24-28).
b) His Fall
I believe that man was subject to trial in the Garden of Eden, in order to test his loyalty to his Master (Genesis 2:15-17); under trial he lost his holy estate, was alienated from God, and became depraved, physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually by voluntarily transgressing His positive command and yielding to the enticement of Satan. In consequence of this act of disobedience, the entire human race became involved in sin; so that, in every heart there is by nature that evil disposition which eventually leads to responsible acts of sin and to just condemnation (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-18; 3:10-12, 23; 1:19-31; Ephesians 4:18; I John 1:8-10).
c) His Redemption
I believe that God has provided redemption for all men through the mediatorial work of Christ, who voluntarily offered Himself on Calvary as a perfect sacrifice for sin, the just suffering for the unjust, being made sin for us, bearing sin's curse, and tasting death for every man (Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 9:11-12; I Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 2:9; I Timothy 2:5-6).
d) Sanctity of Human Life
I believe in the sanctity of human life traceable to the "Breath of life" breathed into Adam in the Garden of Eden (Job 27:3; Genesis 1:26 & 2:7). I believe that life begins at conception (Ruth 4:13) and that abortion is the unscrupulous ending of human life in the womb; forbidden by God in the Scriptures (Proverbs 6:17b, and II Kings 8:12). I further believe there is a significant distinction to be made between the sacredness of human life created in the "image of God" and animal life instituted by God for man's welfare (Genesis 1:28 and Job 12:10).
e) Sacredness of Marriage
I believe in the sacredness of marriage (Hebrews 13:4) which is the basic institution of God created for the welfare of mankind and the procreation of the human race (Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 2:18). It is a permanent relationship between one man and one woman severed only by death (Matthew 19:1-6). Homosexuality is not an alternate life style, nor an expression of love, but lustful, degenerate behavior (Romans 1:26-28).
SALVATION, REGENERATION, AND JUSTIFICATION
I believe that salvation is wholly of grace, but conditioned solely on repentance toward God and acceptance of Christ by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Acts 4:12; 16:31; II Corinthians 7:10). When the sinner has met these requirements God regenerates and justifies him. Regeneration makes the believer a new creature in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 5:17). By the operation of the Holy Spirit through the Word he is given a disposition to obey God (John 3:3, 5; 1:12, 13; I Peter 1:23). This experience is witnessed to by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). Justification is a judicial act of God whereby the believer is declared righteous on the basis of Christ's punishment on the Cross (Romans 5:1, 9; 4:4-5; Acts 13:39).
SANCTIFICATION
I believe that sanctification is one aspect of the experience known as baptism by the Holy Spirit, and has to do primarily with separation, cleansing, and setting apart unto God. Every believer at regeneration receives the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9); is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13); is baptized by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13); and sanctified by the Holy Spirit (II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2). The measure of the Holy Sprit rests with the believer, for he is told not to grieve (Ephesians 4:30); nor to quench (I Thessalonians 5:19); but to yield (Romans 6:13, 19); and to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
I believe that a person once saved can never be lost for he is born of incorruptible seed (I Peter 1:23). He is given everlasting life (John 5:24; 10:27-29), is sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), and his life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). He is given knowledge and assurance of eternal life (I John 5:11-13). He is assured of no condemnation nor separation from God (Romans 8:1, 35-39).
RESURRECTION AND IMMORTALITY
I believe that at the return of the Lord, righteous dead will be raised and the living believers will be changed so that both will have literal, spiritual , and immortal bodies like unto Christ's own glorious body [Romans 8:23, I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Philippians 3:20, 21,(R. V.); cf. Luke 24:36-43; Acts 1:3).]
THE CHURCH
I believe that the Church invisible and universal is an organism composed of all those who are called out of the world, separated from sin and vitally united by faith to Christ, its living Head and Ruler (I Peter 2:9; cf.. John 15:18; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:15, 16; I Corinthians 12:12-27); that the Church local and visible is an organization made up of a company of professed believers in Christ, voluntarily joined together and meeting at stated times for worship and instruction in the Word, to observe the ordinances, and to administer discipline (Acts 2:46, 47; 20:7: I Corinthians 16:2; Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 5:1-5; Acts 6:1-6; 14:23). It is the duty of the Church to give the Gospel as a witness to all men (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 5:42), to build up in the most holy faith (Jude 20:21; Ephesians 4:11, 12, 16; Acts 20:32); to minister to the widows and orphans, the sick and afflicted, (Acts 6:1-9; James 1:27); and to give glory to God (I Peter 4:11).
ORDINANCES
I believe that the Christian ordinances are outward rites appointed by Christ to be administered in each church, not as a means of salvation, but as visible signs and seals of the facts and realities of salvation.
a) Baptism
I believe that baptism is the public confession of Christ as Savior and Lord. It is a symbol of one's union, by faith, with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection, and therefore is to be administered by immersion to only those who have given evidence of faith in Christ as their personal Savior (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36, 39).
b) The Lord's Supper
I believe that the Lord's Supper should be observed by all believers in obedience to the command, "This do in remembrance of Me." It consists in partaking of the consecrated emblems of bread and wine, and symbolizes the death of Christ for the remission of our sins and our continued dependence upon Him for our sustenance. The Lord's Table should be open to all believers who are in right relationship with God, regardless of denomination (Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26).
ATTITUDE TOWARD CIVIL GOVERNMENT
I believe that civil government is ordained of God for the punishment of evil doers and for the protection of the good (Romans 13:1-7). I, therefore, consider it our duty to pray for rulers and magistrates (I Timothy 2:1-3), and to be submissive and obedient to their authority, except in things contrary to the will of God (Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13, 14; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; Matthew 23:10).
CHRIST'S SECOND COMING
I believe in the personal, visible, pre-millennial and imminent return of Christ (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; Mark 13:34-37). This will be accomplished in two stages:
FIRST - The Rapture
Christ's coming for His saints - when Christ will descend into the air to catch away His waiting bride, the Church (I Thessalonians 4:14-18; I Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 3:11).
SECOND - The Revelation
Christ descending with His saints (Jude 14; Romans 8:16-19; Colossians 3:4; Revelation 19:11-14) to establish the long-promised kingdom and to reign upon the earth for a thousand years (Daniel 7:13, 14; Luke 1:32,33; Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:4-6). Between these two stages the great tribulation judgments are visited upon the apostate and rebellious world (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21; Revelation chapters 6 through 19.
JUDGMENTS
I believe that the believer's sins are judged in Christ on the Cross (II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; John 5:24); and that his works will be judged for rewards at the judgment seat of Christ at the time of His coming (I Corinthians 3:8-15; II Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 4:5; II Timothy 4:8). I believe that the impenitent wicked will appear before God for judgment at the Great White Throne after the millennium to be consigned to the Lake of Fire; there to suffer torment forever and ever; together with the devil and his angels (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 10:28; Mark 9:43-48; Romans 2:8, 9; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:10-15; cf Revelation 14:9-11).
THE ETERNAL STATE
I believe that after all God's enemies are consigned to their place of punishment, the present order of things will be dissolved and the new heaven and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, shall be brought in as the final state in which the righteous shall dwell forever (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; II Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-22; 7)
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The Truth
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