Doctrinal Statement

We believe that the Bible is our only authority for our doctrine and practice, both as a Church and as individual believers. We believe that the Bible speaks to every aspect of life, and that by studying it with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will find a principle, pattern, command, or example in the pages of the Bible to direct our decisions.

We believe that the Bible is the only Holy Book, because it alone was inspired by God Himself. The Bible consists of sixty-six books, starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation, originally written and then preserved by God. The Bible does not just contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the Very Word of God.

Inspiration: The Holy Spirit breathed the exact content of all of the Bible to holy men who were moved to write them in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error. No other writings have ever been or will be in the future of this world given from God in this way; therefore, we reject any other writings, creeds, or apocryphal books as being authoritative.

Preservation: God has committed Himself to preserve the Bible, in a perfect, providential way, to every generation. This includes the English-speaking age in which we live. Today, we have a perfect Bible in a language that we can understand.

The King James Bible: We believe that the perfect Bible for English-speaking people is the Authorized Version that was first published in 1611 (known as the King James Bible), and later updated only for grammatical and spelling adjustments that did not affect the wording or meaning. The King James Bible is the only Bible that we will use in any English-speaking services. We use it exclusively, because of:

• Accuracy: The King James Bible is a faithful translation from the languages of the Bible, including the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament. It is based on the assembly of the Received Text Greek, and the Masoretic Hebrew texts used by God’s people throughout history.
• Translation Technique: The King James Bible’s translation technique, called formal equivalence, aims to preserve the meaning of each individual word and phrase. In contrast, modern translations often use dynamic equivalence, which focuses on conveying the basic ideas of passages rather than a word-for-word translation.
• Grammatical Precision: The King James Bible’s use of older, stable English reflects a level of grammatical precision that is lost in contemporary translations. For instance, “ye” and “you” are plural, while “thee” and “thou” are singular. This makes a difference in verses like John 3:7, where Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again,” meaning that all must be saved, not just Nicodemus.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Psalms 12:6-7, 19:7-11, 119:89, 130, 140, 160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:19-20; Luke 16:31, 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39, 45-47, 12:48, 17:17; Acts 1:16, 28:25; Romans 3:4, 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19.

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.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Genesis 17:1; Exodus 15:11, 20:2-3; Psalms 83:18, 90:2, 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10, 23:23-24, 32:17; Colossians 2:8-9; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6, 12:4-6; Ephesians 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6; John 4:24, 15:26; Romans 11:33; Isaiah 46:10; Job 42:2; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; I Timothy 1:17; Revelation 4:11; Mark 12:30.

We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations - the law, the age of the churches, and the kingdom - are the subjects of detailed revelation in scriptures.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: II Timothy 2:15; II Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; I Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Ephesians 1:10, 3:2-10; Revelation 20:2-6.

We believe that the Book of Genesis in the Bible gives us the accurate, literal account of the creation of the world and everything in it, including plants, animals and people, and that this happened over a period of six, 24-hour days, after which God rested on the seventh day. We believe that God created everything directly and completely, and established the natural laws, including that each should bring forth only “after their kind.” We reject any form of Darwin’s theory of evolution, and we reject the concept of an ancient world that evolved over millions of years.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Genesis 1:1, 24, 26-27, 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:1-3, 14; Acts 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16, 17; Hebrews 1:1-3, 11:3; Revelation 10:6

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.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Genesis 3:1-10, 3:24; I Timothy 2:14; Romans 1:18, 28, 32, 3:10-19, 5:12, 19; Ephesians 2:1-3; Galatians 3:22.

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the New Birth is a miraculous transaction whereby the sinner becomes 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.

We believe in the priesthood of the believer and individual soul liberty.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: I John 5:1,11-13; Romans 6:23; John 1:11-13, 3:3, 5-8; Acts 2:41, 16:30-33; II Corinthians 5:17, 19; II Peter 1:4; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:12-13.

We believe in the freeness of God's 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 cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that 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.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-7; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-16, 18, 36, 5:40, 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30, 10:13; I Corinthians 15:10; Colossians 3:12; I Thessalonians 1:4; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:2; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 1:15; Revelation 22:17.

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sins, 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.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Zechariah 13:1; Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17, 4:1-8, 5:1, 9, 8:1; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38.

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commended of God.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14-18, 7:1; I John 2:15-17; Romans 14:13; II Timothy 3:1-5; II John 1:9-11.

We believe that those who are born again become “new creatures in Christ Jesus’ and because of the “operation made without hands’ are eternally secure in the grace of God and have been given eternal salvation. We believe that they are forever sealed and shall never “come into condemnation.” Their grand attachment to Christ is the 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.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: John 10:28-29; Romans 8:1, 23, 35-39; II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:11; I Peter 1:3-5; Philippians 1:6.

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 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 joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Galatians 3:10; I John 2:29, 3:7, 5:19, I Corinthians 15:22; Romans 6:23; I John 5:12; Matthew 7:13-14, 25:34, 41; Acts 10:34-35 Malachi 3:18; Luke 16:25; Revelation 20:5-6, 13-15.

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Psalms 51:5, 139:14-16, Isaiah 44:24, 49:5, 49:1, Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44.

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." We are, therefore, pre-millennial, and pre-tribulational as it pertains to the return of Christ.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Hebrews 2:17, 5:9-10, 8:1, 12:2; Matthew 24:27, 25:13, 28:1-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 24:39, 51; Acts 1:3,11; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 14:3; I Corinthians 15: 4, 25, 51-53; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; and in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment and 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, endures, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:1-3; Acts 13:2; II Thessalonians 2:7; Luke 1:35, 3:16, 24:49; John 3:5-6, 14:16-17, 26-27, 16:8-11, 13; Acts 5:30-32; Romans 8:14-16, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; I Peter 1:2; II Thessalonians 2:13.

We believe that Satan (also referred to as Lucifer) 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, but 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 Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in Hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Ezekiel 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 8:44; 14:30; Ephesians 2:2, 6:12; I John 2:22, 3:8, 4:3; Matthew 4:1-3, 25:41; I Thessalonians 3:5; Luke 22:3-4; II Corinthians 4:4, 11:13-15; I Peter 5:8; Mark 13:21-22; II John 1:7; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; Revelation 12:7-10, 13:13-14, 19:20, 20:1-3, 10; II Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6.

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Genesis 3:15; Psalms 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; I Corinthians 15:47; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20.

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, 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 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Hebrews 1:1-3, 7:25, 12:2, 9:12-15; Galatians 1:4; John 3:16, 10:18; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Isaiah 53:4-7, 11; I Peter 2:24, 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3, 20; II Corinthians 5:21, I John 2:2, 4:10; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25.

We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are Pastors or Elders and Deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the local 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 leader is Christ; 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 local 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.

We believe in the autonomy of the local church and that there are two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The membership consists of saved and baptized individuals. There are two offices: the Pastor and Deacons. We believe in separation of church and state.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Acts 2:41-42, 6:5, 8:1-4, 37-40, 14:23, 18:9-11 20:17-21; Malachi 2:10; Jude 1:3-4; Ephesians 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 5:1-4; I Timothy 3:8; I Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:1-3, 11:2, 24, 12:4, 8-11, 16:1-2; Ephesians 4:11; II Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:1-3.

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a scriptural marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:6-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1, 6:9-10; I Thessalonians 4:1-5; Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 19, 26:8-9

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of the scriptural definition of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the local church and be greatly used of God in Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; I Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe that the local church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: I Corinthians 6:1-8, Ephesians 4:31-32.

We believe that God has given the church a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this commission was given to the churches.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; II Corinthians 8:1-5.

We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the churches and the support of the ministry, is by the tithes and offerings of His people; that it is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises. The time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. That everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church. We believe that anyone giving financially to the local church relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 9:9-14, 16:2; I Timothy 5:17-18; II Corinthians 8:7, 9:6-7.

We believe that God has created all authority. We believe the institution of civil government (state) is a Divine appointment for the interests of good order of human society. We believe that God ordained and created two other institutions and their authority, the local church and the family. We believe all three institutions should 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. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and are governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The family, the church, and the civil government (state) are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. We believe that the marriage is biblically defined as one adult male and one adult female legally married in the presence of witnesses, which incorporates a vow between them and God.

Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position: Romans 13:1; I Peter 2:13-14, 17; II Samuel 23:3; Acts 4:19-20, 5:29, 23:5; Titus 3:1; Matthew 10:28, 16:18, 22:21, 23:10, Daniel 3:17-18; Philippians 2:10-11; Psalms 127:3; Ephesians 5:23-24, 6:1,4; I Corinthians 11:3.