What We Believe
I. Concerning the Scriptures
We believe that the Bible, all 66 books in the Old Testament and New Testament, is inspired and without error in its original writing; being thereby verbal, plenary and inerrant (II Tim. 3:16-17; Matt. 5:18; II Peter 1:20-21). We believe that the author of the Scriptures is God (II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 3:21). We believe that godly men were led by the Holy Spirit as they wrote the Scriptures (II Peter 1:19-21; II Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; I Cor. 2:13-14). We believe that the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice (II Tim. 3:15-17; Rom. 1:16; I Cor. 10:6-12; I Tim. 5:18; II Peter 3:15-16; Acts 17:11).
II. Concerning the True God
We believe that there is only one, living and true God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost (trinity - Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; Psalm 2:2 [John 1:41]; Isaiah 48:16). We believe that the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are equal in essence and in every divine perfection, but also having distinct functions (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; John 3:16; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; I Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:5-6). We believe that God is infinite (I Kings 8:27; Acts 17:24-28), self-existent (Ex. 3:14; John 5:26), eternal (Psalm 90:2; Gen. 21:33), spirit (John 4:24; cf. Isaiah 31:3), transcendent (Isaiah 57:17), omnipotent (gen. 17:1; Ex. 6:3; II Cor. 6:18), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-11), omniscient (Psalm 139:1-4, 16; 147:4; Acts 15:18), sovereign (Psalm 135:6; Dan. 4:3, 17), unified (Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; I Tim. 2:5), holy (Lev. 11:44; I Peter 1:15-16), righteous (Psalm 11:7; 19:9; Dan. 9:7; Acts 17:31), unchangeable (Psalm 102:25-27; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:12; James 1:17), truth (John 17:3; Titus 1:2; Rom. 3:4; Heb. 6:18), immanent (Isaiah 57:15; Eph. 1:3-18; 4:6), and love (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; I John 4:8).
III. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ pre-existed His birth (John 1:3; 3:13, 31; 10:30; Col. 1:16-17; 2:9; Heb. 1:2). We believe that Jesus is eternal (John 1:1; 8:58). We believe in the Deity of Christ (John 1; Acts 20:28; Rom. 9:5; I Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 11; II Peter 1:1; Matt. 26:63). We believe that Jesus is Perfect Humanity - the God-man (Matt. 4:2; 9:36; 26:38; Luke 2:52; 23:46; John 4:6; 8:40; 11:35 19:28; Heb. 4:14-16). We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus (Is. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). We believe that Jesus came to earth to provide salvation for all mankind through His death on the cross, burial and resurretion (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6-7; John 20:9; Rom. 4:25; I Cor. 15:4-8; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:1-11; I Peter 1:19).
IV. Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God (part of the trinity) – (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 6:8-10; 40:13; Matt. 12:31-32; 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 14:16; Acts 5:3-4; 16:7; 28:25; Rom. 8:9, 14; I Cor. 2:11; 6:11; II Cor. 3:17-18; 13:14; Eph. 4:30; II Peter 1:21). We believe the Holy Spirit is involved in the believer’s life (Salvation – Acts 1:5, 8; 8:26, 29; 11:15-16; John 3:3-7; 16:8-11; Rom. 6:1-10; I Cor. 12:13; II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:5, 30; Col. 2:12; Titus 3:5); (Sanctification – John 14:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 5:5; 8:9, 16, 26-27; 6; 12:3-8; I Cor. 2:12, 14-15; 6:19; 12:7; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:7-16; 5:18).
V. The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created on the sixth day of Creation (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7) without sin, but was not completely pefect in that man did have a choice to do good or evil (Gen. 1:27, 31; 2:16-17; Ecc. 7:29). But with that choice to do good or evil, man did sin against God in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3), and by one transgression fell, all are sinners because of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:6-7 and Rom. 5:12, 19). We believe that “man has no ability in himself either to reform from his sinful condition or to come to Christ (Eph. 2:1-3; John 6:44; 8:34; 16:7-11; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 7:8, 24; 8:7-8; I Cor. 2:14; 12:3).”
VI. Salvation
We believe that salvation is only by grace not by works (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 15:11; Eph. 2:8-9; I John 4:10). We believe that salvation was made possible by the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matt. 18:11; 20:28; John 3:16; Rom. 3:25-26; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:14-15; Hebrews 2:9, 14; 9:14). We believe Jesus Christ died for the entire world not just the elect (Isaiah 53:6; John 3:16-17; 6:36-37, 51; 10:9; Rom. 5:6, 8; 10:9, 12-13; II Cor. 5:19-21; I Tim. 2:1-4; Heb. 2:9; II Pet. 3:9; I John 2:1-2). We believe that once we accept Christ as our Savior, we are regenerated/born again as new creatures (John 3; Rom. 5:5; 6:1-11; 8:9; I Cor. 2:14-16; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 3:10; I Pet. 1:23; II Pet. 1:4). We believe we are justified and our sins are pardoned if we believe in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:11-12; Acts 10:43; 13:39; Rom. 5:1-2, 9-10; 8:1; Titus 3:7; I John 2:12). We believe that we as Christians are growing continually in our walk with the Lord until we meet Him in Heaven one day either by death or the Rapture (Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:16, 22-25; Eph. 4:17-24; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 3:1-2, 8-17; I Pet. 2:2; II Pet. 3:18). We believe in eternal security (John 6:39-40; 8:31; 10:27-29; 17:24-25; Rom. 5:1; 8:9, 16, 29-39; 11:29; II Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; II Tim. 1:12; Heb. 7:25; 13:5; I Pet. 1:5; I John 2:1; 5:1, 9-13). We believe that either once we die and enter into Heaven or when Christ returns, we will be glorified and perfected by Christ (John 14:19; Rom. 8:17, 30; Eph. 1:6, 13-14; 4:30; Phil. 1:6; 3:21; II Tim. 4:18; Titus 2:13; I Peter 1:3-5).
VII. End Times
We believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church (Rev. 4-18 does not mention the church at all until ch. 19). We believe that the Tribulation occurs sometime after the church is raptured up into Heaven, but does not start until Israel signs a peace treaty with the Antichrist (Daniel 9:24-27). We believe in the Pre-Millennialism view which is when Christ will return to set up His kingdom for a literal 1000 years (Rev. 19-20). After 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be loosed one last time and after he is defeated, he is cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. He will be reunited with the Beast and the False Prophet which have already been there 1000 years (Revelation 20:10). Along with Satan, will be the other unbelievers who chose to reject Christ. These people will be cast into the Lake of Fire not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7 and Revelation 20:11-15).
VIII. Christian's Responsibilty
We believe in the obligation of every believer "to live soberly, righteously and godly," and separate from the world while looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ(Titus 2:12-13; II Cor. 6:14-18; Romans 1:1); setting our affection on things above, and not on things of the earth (Col. 3:2-3; I John 2:15-17). We believe that the believer ought to witness to the lost the saving power of Christ (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:7-8).
IX. Concerning Heresy and Apostasy
We believe in total and complete separation as taught in the Word of God from all forms of heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy. We believe the Scripture teaches that we are to: 1) Try them (I John 4:1); 2) Mark them (Rom. 16:17-18); 3) Rebuke them (Titus 1:13); 4) Have no fellowship with them (Eph. 5:11; II Cor. 6:14); 5) Withdraw ourselves from them (II Thess. 3:6-7, 14); 6) Receive them not (II John 9-11); 7) Have no company with them (II Thess. 3:14); 8) Reject them (Titus 3:9-10); 9) Separate ourselves from them (II Cor. 6:16-18).
We believe that the Bible, all 66 books in the Old Testament and New Testament, is inspired and without error in its original writing; being thereby verbal, plenary and inerrant (II Tim. 3:16-17; Matt. 5:18; II Peter 1:20-21). We believe that the author of the Scriptures is God (II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 3:21). We believe that godly men were led by the Holy Spirit as they wrote the Scriptures (II Peter 1:19-21; II Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; I Cor. 2:13-14). We believe that the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice (II Tim. 3:15-17; Rom. 1:16; I Cor. 10:6-12; I Tim. 5:18; II Peter 3:15-16; Acts 17:11).
II. Concerning the True God
We believe that there is only one, living and true God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost (trinity - Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; Psalm 2:2 [John 1:41]; Isaiah 48:16). We believe that the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are equal in essence and in every divine perfection, but also having distinct functions (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; John 3:16; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; I Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:5-6). We believe that God is infinite (I Kings 8:27; Acts 17:24-28), self-existent (Ex. 3:14; John 5:26), eternal (Psalm 90:2; Gen. 21:33), spirit (John 4:24; cf. Isaiah 31:3), transcendent (Isaiah 57:17), omnipotent (gen. 17:1; Ex. 6:3; II Cor. 6:18), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-11), omniscient (Psalm 139:1-4, 16; 147:4; Acts 15:18), sovereign (Psalm 135:6; Dan. 4:3, 17), unified (Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; I Tim. 2:5), holy (Lev. 11:44; I Peter 1:15-16), righteous (Psalm 11:7; 19:9; Dan. 9:7; Acts 17:31), unchangeable (Psalm 102:25-27; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:12; James 1:17), truth (John 17:3; Titus 1:2; Rom. 3:4; Heb. 6:18), immanent (Isaiah 57:15; Eph. 1:3-18; 4:6), and love (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; I John 4:8).
III. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ pre-existed His birth (John 1:3; 3:13, 31; 10:30; Col. 1:16-17; 2:9; Heb. 1:2). We believe that Jesus is eternal (John 1:1; 8:58). We believe in the Deity of Christ (John 1; Acts 20:28; Rom. 9:5; I Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 11; II Peter 1:1; Matt. 26:63). We believe that Jesus is Perfect Humanity - the God-man (Matt. 4:2; 9:36; 26:38; Luke 2:52; 23:46; John 4:6; 8:40; 11:35 19:28; Heb. 4:14-16). We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus (Is. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). We believe that Jesus came to earth to provide salvation for all mankind through His death on the cross, burial and resurretion (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6-7; John 20:9; Rom. 4:25; I Cor. 15:4-8; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:1-11; I Peter 1:19).
IV. Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God (part of the trinity) – (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 6:8-10; 40:13; Matt. 12:31-32; 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 14:16; Acts 5:3-4; 16:7; 28:25; Rom. 8:9, 14; I Cor. 2:11; 6:11; II Cor. 3:17-18; 13:14; Eph. 4:30; II Peter 1:21). We believe the Holy Spirit is involved in the believer’s life (Salvation – Acts 1:5, 8; 8:26, 29; 11:15-16; John 3:3-7; 16:8-11; Rom. 6:1-10; I Cor. 12:13; II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:5, 30; Col. 2:12; Titus 3:5); (Sanctification – John 14:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 5:5; 8:9, 16, 26-27; 6; 12:3-8; I Cor. 2:12, 14-15; 6:19; 12:7; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:7-16; 5:18).
V. The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created on the sixth day of Creation (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7) without sin, but was not completely pefect in that man did have a choice to do good or evil (Gen. 1:27, 31; 2:16-17; Ecc. 7:29). But with that choice to do good or evil, man did sin against God in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3), and by one transgression fell, all are sinners because of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:6-7 and Rom. 5:12, 19). We believe that “man has no ability in himself either to reform from his sinful condition or to come to Christ (Eph. 2:1-3; John 6:44; 8:34; 16:7-11; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 7:8, 24; 8:7-8; I Cor. 2:14; 12:3).”
VI. Salvation
We believe that salvation is only by grace not by works (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 15:11; Eph. 2:8-9; I John 4:10). We believe that salvation was made possible by the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matt. 18:11; 20:28; John 3:16; Rom. 3:25-26; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:14-15; Hebrews 2:9, 14; 9:14). We believe Jesus Christ died for the entire world not just the elect (Isaiah 53:6; John 3:16-17; 6:36-37, 51; 10:9; Rom. 5:6, 8; 10:9, 12-13; II Cor. 5:19-21; I Tim. 2:1-4; Heb. 2:9; II Pet. 3:9; I John 2:1-2). We believe that once we accept Christ as our Savior, we are regenerated/born again as new creatures (John 3; Rom. 5:5; 6:1-11; 8:9; I Cor. 2:14-16; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 3:10; I Pet. 1:23; II Pet. 1:4). We believe we are justified and our sins are pardoned if we believe in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:11-12; Acts 10:43; 13:39; Rom. 5:1-2, 9-10; 8:1; Titus 3:7; I John 2:12). We believe that we as Christians are growing continually in our walk with the Lord until we meet Him in Heaven one day either by death or the Rapture (Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:16, 22-25; Eph. 4:17-24; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 3:1-2, 8-17; I Pet. 2:2; II Pet. 3:18). We believe in eternal security (John 6:39-40; 8:31; 10:27-29; 17:24-25; Rom. 5:1; 8:9, 16, 29-39; 11:29; II Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; II Tim. 1:12; Heb. 7:25; 13:5; I Pet. 1:5; I John 2:1; 5:1, 9-13). We believe that either once we die and enter into Heaven or when Christ returns, we will be glorified and perfected by Christ (John 14:19; Rom. 8:17, 30; Eph. 1:6, 13-14; 4:30; Phil. 1:6; 3:21; II Tim. 4:18; Titus 2:13; I Peter 1:3-5).
VII. End Times
We believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church (Rev. 4-18 does not mention the church at all until ch. 19). We believe that the Tribulation occurs sometime after the church is raptured up into Heaven, but does not start until Israel signs a peace treaty with the Antichrist (Daniel 9:24-27). We believe in the Pre-Millennialism view which is when Christ will return to set up His kingdom for a literal 1000 years (Rev. 19-20). After 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be loosed one last time and after he is defeated, he is cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. He will be reunited with the Beast and the False Prophet which have already been there 1000 years (Revelation 20:10). Along with Satan, will be the other unbelievers who chose to reject Christ. These people will be cast into the Lake of Fire not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7 and Revelation 20:11-15).
VIII. Christian's Responsibilty
We believe in the obligation of every believer "to live soberly, righteously and godly," and separate from the world while looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ(Titus 2:12-13; II Cor. 6:14-18; Romans 1:1); setting our affection on things above, and not on things of the earth (Col. 3:2-3; I John 2:15-17). We believe that the believer ought to witness to the lost the saving power of Christ (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:7-8).
IX. Concerning Heresy and Apostasy
We believe in total and complete separation as taught in the Word of God from all forms of heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy. We believe the Scripture teaches that we are to: 1) Try them (I John 4:1); 2) Mark them (Rom. 16:17-18); 3) Rebuke them (Titus 1:13); 4) Have no fellowship with them (Eph. 5:11; II Cor. 6:14); 5) Withdraw ourselves from them (II Thess. 3:6-7, 14); 6) Receive them not (II John 9-11); 7) Have no company with them (II Thess. 3:14); 8) Reject them (Titus 3:9-10); 9) Separate ourselves from them (II Cor. 6:16-18).
