New Page 1

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

A. THE SCRIPTURES

The Scriptures, as set forth in the original writings, are verbally inspired of God, inerrant infallible, and God breathed. They are the only Complete revelation of God to mankind, the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, and the true basis of Christian unity and fellowship (11 Timothy 3-. 16,17; 11 Peter 1:20,21, John 10-.35).

B. GOD

There is only one true and living God, Who is infinite, personal, absolute in perfection, pure in spirit and holiness, almighty, eternal in power, and ever-present in wisdom. He is abundant in love, mercy, righteousness, goodness and truth. He forgives rebellion and sin, yet is just in eternal punishment to all who reject His love and grace. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life and sovereign in working all things, to the glory of His unchanging counsel and will (Isaiah 45:5-8,22).

The unity of the Godhead involves three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, who are the same in substance and coequal in power and glory, yet one God (Genesis 1,26 ; Matthew 28-19, John 14-26). To God is due all worship, service and obedience from all he calls to become part of his divine nature. (Psalm 100)

C. CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead. Coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is both divine and human having entered into the sphere of humanity being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1: 18-25). He is sinless in nature, yet he came to take upon him the sins of all mankind by giving his life through the shedding of His blood on a cross (11 Corinthians 5-21; 1 Peter 2-24). He was raised bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven to act as present mediator, from where we look for His second coming. (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Acts 1: 10,11; Matthew 26:29). Jesus Christ has provided a complete salvation for all who will accept him by grace through faith. There is no other way to receive eternal life and heaven. John 114:6).

D. HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, and is coequal with the Father and the Son. Through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, people have the opportunity of accepting the Person and work of Jesus Christ, thereby, receiving the gift of eternal life (John 16:7-1 1). The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (John 14:17). He is the Author of the Scriptures, and guides the believer in all truth when surrendered to His divine leadership (1 Peter 1:21; John 16:13). In all things the Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus (John 16:14).

E. SATAN

The Scriptures teach that Satan is a^erson. He was created a perfect angelic being, but through pride, rebelled against God, thus becoming the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man. He is the enemy of God and man, and presently, the accuser of the brethren, the god of this age, and the ruler of the powers of darkness. He is destined to be punished eternally in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 10:18; 11 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 20:10).

F. MAN AND SIN

God created man in innocence, in His own image, but through disobedience man became a sinner. He is therefore totally depraved and spiritually lost. All men are sinners by nature and practice, and outside of Christ, stand guilty and condemned to a lost eternity in hell (Genesis 1:26,27,2:7,3:6-24; 1 Corinthians 15-21,22; Romans 3:9-23; Ephesians 2:1-3).

G. SALVATION

God in mercy and grace has provided salvation for sinful man. In obedience to the Father, Christ took the sinner's place in His death upon the cross and thus satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin.

We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition for salvation. Repentance takes place when the sinner, convicted by the Holy Spirit, turns from sin to trust the Savior (Isaiah 53:4-7; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; Romans 3:24,25; 11 Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 2:8,9). True believers are kept by the power of God so that none are lost; This secure position in no way gives license to live in sin.

H. THE CHURCH

The New Testament Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is both universal and local. The local church is an autonomous body of born again, baptized believers who are united in Christ and who come together to worship, fellowship, and exhort. It is to observe the two ordinances of Christ, the Lord's Supper, and Baptism, as well as carry out the great commission to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The church's Scriptural officers are Pastor (Elder and Bishop) and Deacons.

The church is to fellowship and cooperate with other churches who "have obtained like precious faith", but is to remain separate from the authority of the state (John3:3; Hebrews 10:23-25, Matthew28:19,20; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Peter 1:1).

I. HEAVEN AND HELL

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of God. All who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ will spend eternity with Him in heaven in full enjoyment of the presence and glory of God (Luke 11:2,10:20; Matthew 6:20; Romans 8:16,17; 11 Corinthians 5: 1; Revelation 22:1-5). Hell is a literal and eternal place of torment prepared initially for the Devil and his angels. All who reject God's mercy and gracious provision of salvation in Christ will spend eternity in this place of conscious everlasting punishment (Luke 12:5, 16-23,24; Matthew 5:22, 25:41-46; 1 John:10;Revelation 20).

J. THINGS TO COME

The Scriptures clearly teach the imminent, pre-millennial coming of Christ in the air for His Church, and His subsequent return (at the end.of the Great Tribulation) to redeem Israel and establish His thousand year reign on the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:12-18; Zechariah 14 :,4-1 1; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 21:1-6)