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; inexpressibly
glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence
and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three
persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in
every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious
offices in the great work of redemption.
Genesis 17:1; Exodus 20:2-3; 15:11; Psalm
83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30;
John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 11:23; 1Corinthians
12:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18;
4:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1Timothy 1:17; 1John 5:7; Revelation
4:11
Of The
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine
person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the
same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His
relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one
until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin,
of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to
the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He
is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides,
teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.
Genesis 1:13; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8;
Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17,26; 15:26-27;
16:8-11,13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14,16,26-27; Ephesians
1:13-14; 2Thessalonians 2:7,13; Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:2
Of The
Devil, Or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and
enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to
be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels;
that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air,
and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's
great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser
of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief
power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist,
and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however
to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the
judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for
him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew
4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41; 27:39; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John
14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 2Corinthians 11:13-15; 1Thessalonians
3:5; 2Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1Peter 5:8; 2Peter 2:4; 1John
2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14;
19:11,16,20; 20:1-3,10
Of The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation
and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically
or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s
own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation
was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species,
or development through interminable periods of time from lower
to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made
directly and God’s established law was that they should
bring for only “after their kind.” Since God created
mankind into genders distinctly male and female, we believe
that the only legitimate marriage is that between a man and
a woman. He has commanded that no intimate sexual activity
be engaged in outside of marriage. 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 God rejects any
attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
Genesis 1:1,11,24,26-27; 2:21-23; Exodus
20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24;
17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation
10:6
Of The
Fall Of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence
under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression
fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which
all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice;
and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-6,24; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans
1:18,20,28,32; 3:10-19; 5:12,19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians
2:1,3
Of The
Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten
of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a
virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born
of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the
Son.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthews
1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; 1Corinthians
15:47; 1John 5:20
Of The
Atonement For Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners
is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the
Son of God, Who by 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 and
vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted
not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but
was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's
place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing
our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from
the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His
wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection,
He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate
and an all sufficient Savior.
Isaiah 53:4-7,11-12; Matthew 18:11; John
3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians
2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2
Of Grace In The New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners
must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in
Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process;
that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins
is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal
life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought
about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture,
not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely
by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine
truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;
that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance
and faith and newness of life.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3,6-7; Acts 2:41;
Romans 6:23; 2Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians
2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1John 5:1
Of The
Freeness Of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace; 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,
penitent and obedient faith; and 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.
Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18,36;
5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; 1Corinthians
15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 1Thessalonians 1:4;
1Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17
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 gift
of eternal life on principles of righteousness; 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, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1;
Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1; 5:1-9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11;
Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38
Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are
solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in
our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being
deeply convicted 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 and openly
confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15;
Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11,13
Of The Church
We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation
of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and
fellowship of the Gospel, said church being understood to
be the citadel and propagator of the divine and eternal grace;
observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws;
exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them
by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or
elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly
defined in the scriptures.
We believe that men and women are spiritually
equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct
and separate spiritual functions of men and women in the home
and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the
home and men are to hold the leadership positions (pastors
and deacons) in the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible
of licensure and ordination for pastor by the church.
We believe the true mission of the church
is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual
disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach
and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the
reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has
the absolute right of self government, free from the interference
of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that
the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy
Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate
with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance
of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge
of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters
of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of
benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Leviticus 27:31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20;
Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; 1Corinthians
5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22-23;
4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1Timothy 3:1-13
Of Baptism And The Lord's
Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the
immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father,
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the
local church, 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;
that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation
and to the Lord's supper, in which the members of the church,
by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to
commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always
by solemn self-examination.
Matthew 3:6; 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts
2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians
2:12
Of The Perseverance Of
The Saints
We believe that such only are real believers
as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment
to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from
superficial professors; that a special Providence watches
over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of
God through faith unto eternal salvation.
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John
8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28,35-39; Philippians 1:6;
Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 1Peter 1:5; 1John 2:19
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, are truly
righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence
and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse,
and this distinction holds among men both in and after death,
in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting
conscious suffering of the lost.
Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi
3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21;
12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18,23; 7:6; 1Corinthians
15:22; Galatians 3:10; 1Peter 4:18; 1John 2:7,29; 5:19
Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine
appointment, for the interests and good order of human society;
that 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 coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11;
Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20;
23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; 1Peter
2:13-14,17
Of The Resurrection And
Return Of Christ And Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures
upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection,
we believe that Christ rose bodily "The third day according
to the Scriptures"; that He ascended "to the right
hand of the throne of God"; that He alone is our "merciful
and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God";
"that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into
heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go
into heaven," bodily, personally, and visibly; that the
"dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the living
saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump"; "that the Lord God
shall give unto Him the throne of His father David";
and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness
until He hath put all enemies under His feet."
Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27,42;
Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:6,19; Luke 1:32; Luke 24:2,4-6,39,51;
John 14:3; John 20:27; Acts 1:9,11; 1Corinthians 15:4; Philippians
4:20; 1Thessalonians 4:16; 1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9;
8:1; 9:28; 12:2
Of Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world
is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to
the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and
spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen."
Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them,
Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
John 20:21, "As my Father hath sent
me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power,
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall
they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall
they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall
they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except
they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings
of good things!"
Of The Grace Of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals
of the Faith.
2Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye
abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,
and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye
abound in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into
the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first
day of the week.
1Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day
of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God
hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the
tithe - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils,"
- Hebrews 7:2,4 - and this was four hundred years before the
law, and is confirmed in the new Testament; Jesus said concerning
the tithe, "these ought ye to have done", Matthew
23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into
the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30, "The tithe ... is the
Lord's."
Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes
into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house,
and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will
not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing,
that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament it was the common treasury
of the church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, "And brought the prices
of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles'
feet ... Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and
laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET."
