Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible—consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments—is inspired by God and was written by men as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. It is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, having God for its author, salvation for its end, truth without any mixture of error for its matter, and is infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. 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 tested. It contains all things necessary for God’s glory and man’s salvation, faith, and life. Nothing is to be added to it, whether by tradition or new revelation.

II Tim. 3:16-17; II Tim. 3:15; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; Phil. 3:16; I John 4:1.

Of the True God

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, unchangeable, all-knowing,  perfectly wise, totally free, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. While the essence of God is one, he eternally exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. From all eternity he decrees or permits all things that come to pass and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin, nor to destroy the free agency and responsibility of moral beings.

John 4:24; Ps. 83:18; Heb.3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer.10:10; Ex.15:11; Ps.147:5; Isa.6:3; I Pet.1:15-16; Rev.4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev.4:11; Matt.10:37; Jer.2:12-13; Matt.28:19; John 15:26; I Cor.12:4-6; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5&10; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor.2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor.13:14; Rev. 1:4-5.

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. Consequently, 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.

Gen.1:27; Gen.1:31; Ecc.7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen.2:16-17; Gen.3:6-24; Rom. 5:12; Rom.5:15-19; Ps.51:5; Rom.8:7; Isa.53:6; Gen.6:12; Rom.3:9-18; Eph.2:1-3; Rom.1:18,32; Rom.2:1-16; Gal.3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom.1:20; Rom.3:19; Gal. 3:22.

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. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead, 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.

Eph.2:3, Matt. 18:11, I John 4:10, I Cor.3:5-7, Acts 15:11, John 3:16, John 1:1-14, Heb. 4:14, Heb. 12-24, Phil. 2:9&14, II Cor. 5:21, Isa. 42:21, Phil. 2:8, Gal. 4:4-5, Rom. 3:21, Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 20:28, Rom.4:25, Rom. 3:21-26, I John 2:3, I Cor. 15:1-3, Heb.9:13-15, Heb.1:8, Heb. 1:3, Col. 3:1-4, Heb. 7:25, Col. 2:18, Heb. 7:26, Ps. 89:19, Ps.34.

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. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, unconditional and unchangeable. It utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree and it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel. It is the foundation of Christian assurance. To ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

II Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; I Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15;16; I John 4:19; II Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3; Rom.11:28-29; James 1:17-18; II Tim.1:9; Rom. 11:32-36; I Cor. 1:26-31; Rom.3:27; Rom. 4:16; Col.3:12; I Cor. 3:5-7; I Cor. 15:10; I Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; I Thess. 2:13; I Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; I Thess. 2:12; II Tim. 2:10; I Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; I Thess 1:4-10; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; II Peter 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11.

Of Grace in Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again, which consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind. It is brought about 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. Its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

John 3:3, John 3:6-7, I Cor.3:14, Rev.14:3, Rev. 21:27, II Cor. 5;17, Ezek. 36:26, Deu. 30-6, Rom. 2:28-29, Rom.5:5, I John 4:7, John 3:8, John 1:13, James 1:16-18, I Cor. 1:30, Phil. 2:13, I Peter 1:22-25, I John 5:1, Eph. 4:20-24, Col. 3:9-11, Eph. 5:9, Rom. 8:90, Gal. 5:16-23, Eph. 3:14-21, Matt. 3:8-10, Matt.7:20, I John 5:4, 18.

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 genuine contrition, confession and pleading 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.

Mark 1:15, Acts 11:18, Eph. 2:8, I John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 16:30-31, Luke 18:13, Luke 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, II Cor. 7:11, Tim. 10:12-13, Ps.51, Rom. 10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Heb. 4:14, Ps.2:6, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 7:25, II Tim. 1:12.

Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification, which includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness. 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 by God. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

John 1:16, Eph.3:8, Acts 13:39, Isa. 53:11-12, Rom 5:1-2, Rom. 5:9, Zech. 13;1, Matt. 9:6, Acts 10:43, Rom. 5:17, Titus 3:5-7, I Peter 3:7, I John 2:25, Rom. 5:21, Rom. 4:4-5, Rom. 6:23, Phil. 3:7-9, Rom. 5:19, Rom. 3:24-26, Rom.4:23-25, I John 2:12, Rom. 5:3, Rom. 5:11, I Cor. 1:30-31, Matt. 6:33, I Tim. 4:8.

Of Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness. 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, fellowship, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. 

I Thess. 4:3; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; II Cor. 13:10; Phil. 3:12-16; I John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Eph. 1:4; Pro. 4:18; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph.6:18; Eph. 4:30.

Of Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that all real believers endure to the end and that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors. A special providence watches over their welfare and are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps.121:3; Ps. 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb.1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; I John 4:4.

Of the Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel and it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith. 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.

Isa. 55:1, Rev. 22:17, Rom. 16:25-26, Mark 1:15, Rom. 1:15-17, John 5:40, Matt.23:37, Rom.9:32, Pro. 1:24, Acts 13:46, John 3:19, Matt. 11:20, Luke 10:27, II Thess. 1:8.

Of the Unity of Redemption

We believe that God has purposed one plan of salvation for his elect, centered in Christ and revealed progressively through covenantal history. This purpose is not divided, interrupted, or altered across dispensations, but unfolds in sovereign continuity, displaying the manifold wisdom of God. There is one people of God, composed of Jew and Gentile, united by faith, not by flesh. The church is not a parenthesis, but the fruition of God’s eternal purpose in Christ. The wall of division is broken down; the true Israel is defined not by lineage, but by union with the Son. The Law and the Prophets, the Apostles, and The Lord Jesus himself speak with one voice: salvation has always been and always will be by grace, through faith, in Christ, for God’s glory.

Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:16, 29; Rom. 4:11–17; Heb. 11:13, 39–40; Eph. 2:11–22; Rom. 9:6–8; John 10:16; Acts 26:22–23; 1 Pet. 1:10–12; Luke 24:27; Heb. 1:1–2.

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. It is holy, just and good. The inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin. One great end of the gospel and of the means of grace connected to the local church is to deliver sinners from their inability and restore them through a Mediator to genuine obedience to God’s holy law.

Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:15; Rom. 7:12; Rom.7:7,14-22; Gal.3:21; Ps. 119; Rom.8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom. 8:2-4; Rom. 10:4; I Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20&21.

Of The Church

We believe that the church can be spoken of in two ways: universal and local. 

The universal church is the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages; believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. A local church is an autonomous congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. While each local church is autonomous under the lordship of Christ, it is both right and beneficial for churches of like faith and order to associate for mutual encouragement, accountability, and cooperative labor in the Gospel.

The two abiding church offices are those of elder (also called pastor or overseer) and deacon. Elders are men entrusted with the spiritual oversight of a local church; namely, to shepherd, to teach, to lead, to pray, and to guard the doctrine and life of the congregation. Elders are not to serve alone but in plurality, whenever possible. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of elder is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.  Deacons serve under the authority of the elders to meet the temporal and practical needs of the church. Deacons, too, must be tested and qualified in character.

Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:1-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Titus 1:5–9; Hebrews 11:39-40; 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.

Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, and to the Lord's Supper, in which believers, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to joyfully commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Gal.3:26-28; Rom.6:4; Col. 2:12; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Cor.11:28; I Cor. 5:1-8; I Cor. 10:3-32; I Cor. 11:17-32; John 6:26.

Of The Lord’s Day

The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day or Christian Sabbath. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.

Of True Worship

We believe that Christian worship must be regulated by the Word of God and characterized by joy, reverence, order, and the active participation of the local church. Every element—reading the Scriptures, preaching, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, prayers, offerings, and the ordinances—is to be conducted in a manner that edifies the gathered saints and does not obscure the centrality of Christ. It is not to be shaped by the spirit of the age or the pursuit of emotional spectacle, but by the revealed will of God. 

John 4:23–24; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:26, 33, 40; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; 1 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 12:28–29.

Of the Family

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the only channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image, though they differ in station. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. 

A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. This includes leading them spiritually by his own example, by regular family worship and by gathering with the church on the Lord’s Day.

A wife is to submit herself graciously to the leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She has the God-given responsibility to respect and obey her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. 

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children the Christian faith and lead them, through consistent lifestyle, example, and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; 1 Sam.l 1:26-28; Psa. 51:5; 78:1-8; Psa. 127; Psa. 128; 139:13-16; Prov. 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Mal. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Tim. 5:8,14; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7.

Of the Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. Magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except 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.

Rom. 13:1-7; Deu. 16:18; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13; I Tim. 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt.28; Dan. 3:15-18; Dan. 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Ps.72:11; Ps.2; Rom. 14:9-13.

Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Only those who through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in God’s sight. Those who continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in his sight wicked and under the curse. This distinction remains true among mankind both in and after death.

Mal. 3:18; Pro. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16; Rom. 1:17; Rom. 7:6; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Rom. 6:18,22; I Cor. 11:32; Pro. 11:31; I Peter 4:17-18; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6-7; Pro. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Pro. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; Ecc. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14.

Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching. On the Last Day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. A solemn separation will then take place: the wicked will be consigned to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy. This judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

I Peter 4:7; I Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; I John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; Matt. 13:39-40; II Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; I Thess 4:13-18; I Thess. 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2 John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; II Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49; Matt. 13:37-43; Matt. 24:30- 31; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 22:11; I Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; II Peter 2:9; Jude7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; II Cor. 4:18; Rom. 3:5-6; II Thess. 1:6-12: Heb. 6:1-2; I Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.20:11-12; I John 2:28; I John 4:17; II Peter 3:11-12.