What We Believe

Of The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).

2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2

Of the True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth (7); inexpressibly glorious in holiness (8), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (9); that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (10); equal in every divine perfection (11), and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (12).

2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39

Of The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (13); but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (14); in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (15), not by constraint, but choice (16); 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 (17), without defense or excuse (18).

Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4

Of the Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (19), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (20); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (21); honored the divine law by his personal obedience (22), and by his death made a full atonement for our sins (23); that having risen from the death, he is now enthroned in heaven (24); 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 Saviour (25).

Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48

Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (26) secures to such as believe in him is Justification (27); that Justification includes the pardon of sin (28), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (29); 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 (30); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (31); 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 (32).

Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11

Of The Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (26) secures to such as believe in him is Justification (27); that Justification includes the pardon of sin (28), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (29); 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 (30); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (31); 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 (32).

1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11

Of Grace In Regeneration

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (37); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (38); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (39), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (40); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (41).

John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10

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 (42); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (43), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (44); 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 Saviour (45).

Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8

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 (46); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (47); that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (48); that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (49); that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (50); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (51); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (52); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (53).

Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13

Of Sanctification

We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness (54); that it is a progressive work (55); that it is begun in regeneration (56); 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 (57).

Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7

Of The Perseverance of The Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (58); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (59); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (60); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (61).

John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6

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 (62); that it is holy, just, and good (63); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (64); 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 (65).

Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5;

Of a Gospel Church

We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (66), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (67); observing the ordinances of Christ (68); governed by his laws (69), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word (70); that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons (71), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16

Of Baptism and The Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (72), into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost (73); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (74); that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper (75), in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (76); preceded always by solemn self- examination (77).

Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12

Of The Christian Sabbath

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath (78); and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (79), by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations (80); by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private (81) and public (82); and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God (83).

Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7

Of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (84); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed (85); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (86) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (87).

Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18

Of The Righteous and The Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (88); 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 (89); while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse (90); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (91).

Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15

Of The World To Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching (92); that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven (93), and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution (94); that a solemn separation will then take place (95); that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (96); and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness (97).

Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22

God’s Plan of Salvation

“The Gospel: God’s Plan of Salvation”

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

  • Your Condition: The Bible reveals that at birth you inherit a nature of sin from Adam. With this sin nature, you are also born in a state of spiritual death (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13).In this spiritual death, there is nothing that you can do to save yourself. You need to be quickened (Ephesians 2:1), that is, you need to be made alive to God through Jesus Christ. This life comes only through the preaching of the Gospel and the converting work of God’s Holy Spirit in your life.If you remain in your sinful state of spiritual death, you will ultimately face the wrath of Holy God (Romans 1:18; John 3:36) which is eternal suffering in a place called hell (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:14-15; Matthew 10:28).

 

  • Jesus Christ Died and Rose Again for Sinners: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)This is the gospel! Jesus suffered and died for your sin (read John 19). He died by painful Roman crucifixion as your substitute; that is, He died in your place (2 Corinthians 5:21). When Jesus died, God’s full wrath against sin fell upon Him (Isaiah 53:10-11; Romans 15:3) When you surrender your life to Jesus Christ as Lord, the wrath of God is satisfied against you. Jesus bears God’s wrath for you fully!Three days after Jesus died on the cross for your sin, He bodily arose from the dead by the power of God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 1:4; Read John 20) Jesus is alive right now at God’s right hand waiting for God’s command for Him to come and destroy all of God’s enemies (Hebrews 10:12-13). Every lost sinner is the enemy of God! (Romans 5:10; Philippians 3:18; Colossians 1:21; James 4:4).

 

  • God Demands Repentance and Faith from You: Because you are a sinner and because your sin made the death of God’s Son necessary, God calls for you to turn away from all of your sin. Repentance is both a gift from God (Romans 2:4) as well as a gospel duty (Acts 3:19). Repentance is a heart-felt forsaking of sin! Repentance is when you take sides with God against yourself and confess all your sin to him (1 John 1:9). Repentance is a godly sorrow over sin that leads to a change of behavior (2 Corinthians 7:10)Faith is resting in and trusting in God’s ability to save through Jesus Christ! Faith means to rely upon God and to depend upon God to be able to save. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but like repentance it is also a gospel duty (Acts 16:31). The call of God is for you to place all of your trust and faith in Jesus Christ and His work on your behalf on the cross.

 

  • You Must Surrender to Jesus as Lord: The most frequently used title for Jesus in the New Testament is Lord. The call of God in the Gospel is for you to surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ!And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom.10:9-10)For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom.10:13)Lord is the Greek word kurios which means Master, Controller, Ruler, Supreme Authority. Salvation is surrendering to Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life! This means that when you come to Jesus for salvation, you are making a lifetime commitment to follow and obey Jesus and His Word. This is what it means to be a disciple of Christ. This is what it means to be saved! (Luke 6:46; 1 John 2:3-6; Matthew 7:21-22).

 

  • God’s Holy Spirit Will Draw You: Jesus said, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44; see also John 16:8-15) The Holy Spirit is God, and as God He draws us to the Savior, Jesus Christ, for salvation. We will never see the need of salvation until the Holy Spirit quickens us (Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-2) and places a desire within us to turn to God.

    • If you sense God’s Holy Spirit making you sorry for your sin
    • If your attitude is truly different toward your sin and toward God
    • If you desire to have God forgive all of your sin
    • If you want to come to Jesus and surrender your very life to Him
    • If you want to begin following God’s will for your life

Then it is time for you to be saved! Call out to Jesus right now. Tell Him that you are a sinner. Tell Jesus that you are sorry for your sin and ask Him to forgive you. Accept His death on the cross as the full payment for all your sin. Commit your very life to Him and ask Him to become the Lord of your life! He will save you right now! (Acts 2:41 and 1 John 5:13).

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please contact us so that we can pray for you and send you some materials to help you grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ!