Articles of Faith

I.                  The Bible

We believe that the Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; we believe that the Bible is complete and without error; therefore it remains as the complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; it is the center of Christian union and the supreme standard by  which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

1.      By “the Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.

2.      By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of God, as they were moved by the Spirit of God, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings ever have or ever will be inspired.

2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21;Acts 1:16;Acts 28:25;Psa. 119:160;Psa.119:105; Psa.119:89;Psa.119:130;Luke 24:25-27; Luke 24;44-45;John 17:17;Prov.30:5-6;Rom. 3:4;1 Pet.1:23 ;Is.8:20 ; Rev.22:19 ; Eph. 6:17; Jn. 5:39; Jn. 5:45-47; Psa. 19:7-11

II.                The One True God

We believe that there is one and only one, living and true God; an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the creator and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; worthy  of all honor, confidence, and love; that he is inexpressibly holy;  that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct yet harmonious offices in the work of redemption.

Ex 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph.4:6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mk. 12:30; Matt. 28:19; Jn 15:26; 1 Cor.12:4-6; 1 Jn.5:7; Jn.10:30;Jn.17:5; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14

III.           Satan

We believe that Satan was once holy, the creation of God, and enjoyed heavenly honors; he was removed from his heavenly position because of rebellion, pride, and the ambition to be as God; in his fall he drew with him a host of heavenly angels; he is now the  prince of the power of the air, the unholy God of this world. He is man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of saints, the author of false religions, the lord of the antichrist, the ruler of the powers of darkness, the father of lies; he is destined to final and eternal defeat by the power of Christ, the Son of God; he  will suffer eternally in the lake of fire which has been prepared of him and his angels.

            Is. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; Eph.2:2; Jn.14:30;

1 Thes. 3:5; Matt.4:1-3; 1 Pet.5:8; 1 Jn. 3:8; Matt.13:39; Lk. 22:3-4; Rev.12:10; 2 Cor.11:13-15; Mk. 13:21-22; 1Jn. 4:3; 1 Jn. 2:22; 2 Jn. 7; Rev.13:13-14; Rev. 19:11,16,20; 2 Thes. 2:8-11; Rev.20:1-3; Matt.25:41

IV.  Creation

We believe that Genesis presents a literal account of creation and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created in the image and likeness of God; 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 life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.”

            Gen.1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Jn. 1:3; Rev. 10:6;

Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:21-31; Gen. 1:11,24.

IV.             The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the authority of God but by his own volition , violated the command of his maker and fell from his sinless and happy state, all of mankind since has borne the consequence as sinners not by constraint but by choice   and therefore, are under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

            Gen. 3:1-6; Rom.5:12, 19: Rom. 3:10-19; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 2:1,3; Ezek. 18:19-20;

Rom. 1:20,32; Gal. 3:22

V.                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 ever born or ever can be born of woman; and that He is both the  Son of God and God the Son.

            Gen 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:35; Mark 1:1; Jn. 1:14; Psa. 2:7;

Gal. 4:4; I Jn. 5:20; 1 Cor. 15:47.

VI.             The Atonement for Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; that the Son of God by  the appointment of God the Father,  veiled his glory and took upon himself our human nature without sin,  that he honored the divine law by obedience and by his death on the cross made a complete and vicarious atonement for the sins of the world; that he died as our substitute, the Just for the unjust; that He bore our sins in his body on the tree; that he died, was buried and roses again in fulfillment of the scriptures and is now enthroned in Heaven at the right hand of the Father and that He was and is the only suitable and qualified, and all sufficient Savior.

Eph 2:8; Acts15:11; Rom.3:24,25; Jn. 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil.2:7; Heb. 2:14; Is. 53:4-7; 1 Jn.4:10; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Jn. 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Pet. 3:18; Is. 53:11; Heb. 12:2; Isa. 53;12; Heb. 7:25; 1 Jn. 2:2.

VII.          New Creation

We believe that sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous, and that in the new birth, one dead in sin is made alive in Christ and a partaker of the divine nature  and is given eternal life, a free gift of God;  this work is done apart from man and is entirely a work of  God through the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth;  this new birth results in the proper evidence of  the fruits of repentance and faith.

Jn 3:3; 2Cor 5:17; Lk. 5:27; 1 Jn. 5:1; Jn. 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; Rom 6:23; Eph. 2:1; 2 Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; Jn. 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9.

VIII.       The Freeness of Salvation

We believe in God’s electing grace; that salvation is made free to all by the Gospel; it is the duty of individuals to accept it by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith;  that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; that rejection of the gospel results in condemnation.

1 Thes. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom.8:29,30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; Jn. 6:37; Is. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Is. 55:7; Jn. 3:15-16; 1 Tim. 1:15; 1Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; Jn. 5:40; Jn.3:18; Jn 3:36.

IX. Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening of the Holy Spirit of God; that being convicted of our sin and helpless state, and of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, we turn to God with contrition, confession and supplication for mercy, while receiving Christ as Savior by faith and confessing Him as our only and all sufficient Savior.

Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Lk. 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Is. 55:7; Luke 12:8;  Rom. 10:9-10. 

X.   Church

We  believe that a Baptist Church is a congregation of  baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith  and  fellowship of the  gospel; that  the church is the “pillar and ground of truth”; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that it’s officers of ordination are pastors whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; to make disciples, to build the church , and to instruct in the teachings of Christ. We believe that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any individual or organization; that the one and only superintendent is Christ; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with one another in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation;  we believe on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

Acts 2:41; Acts 2:42, 1Cor 11:2; 1Ti 3:15; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11-13; 1Cor. 12:4-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Tim. 3:1-13;  Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; 2 Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 5:11-13.

XI.   Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; enacted by the authority of the local church in obedience to the scriptures; we believe it is to symbolically show our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, as well as our death to sin and new life in Christ; that it is a pre-requisite to church membership and 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 death of Christ for our sin; preceded by solemn self- examination.

Acts 8:31-32; Matt. 3:6;John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor.11:23-28

XII.    The Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that true believers as those that endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that  God watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

John 8:31-32; Col 1:21-23; 1 John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21;  Rom. 8:28; Psa. 121:3; Heb. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; john 10:28-29; Rom 8:35-39.

XIII.  Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.

Rom. 13:7; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14; Acts 4:19-20; Dan 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10;Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11.

XIV. The Resurrection and Return of Christ

We believe in and accept the scriptures literally as relating to this subject; that Christ arose bodily on the third day according to the scriptures,  that He alone is the faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God; that He ascended into Heaven after His resurrection and shall come again in like manner, bodily, personally, and visibly; that the dead in Christ shall rise first and those who are alive  shall be taken up into the air to meet the Lord; that Christ shall be given the throne of David and shall reign for a thousand years; that Satan and all of the enemies shall be judged and that of the increase of His kingdom there shall be no end.

Matt. 28:6-7; Lk 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor. 15:4; Mk. 6:16; Lk. 24:2-7; Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1,6; Heb. 12:2; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; Jn. 14:3; 1 Thes. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 24:42;  Heb. 9:28; 1 Cor. 15:42-44,51-53;  1 Thes. 4:17; Phil.3:20-21; Lk. 1:32; 1 Cor 15:25; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6, Isa. 9:6.

XV. Missions

The command to give the gospel to the world is  clearly given to Christians through the ministry of  the local church.

          Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15;John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-1

XVI.  The Grace of Giving

We believe that giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith; that we are commanded to bring our gifts into the common treasury of  the local church on the first  day  of the week.

            2 Cor. 8:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Heb. 7:2,4; Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10; Acts 4:34-35,37.

XVII.  Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage; that any form of homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, gender alterations and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex; that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.

Gen 2:24;Gen. 19:5; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29;  1Cor. 5:1; 1Cor6:9;  I Thes. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4; Gen 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23.

  

XVIII.  Abortion

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

Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; Psalms 139:14-16; Is. 44:24; Is. 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5; Jer. 20:15-18; Luke 1:44.

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, disciplines, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel to all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk  circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful  in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbitting and excessive anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of the Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation,  and mindful of  the rules of our Savior, to secure reconciliation without delay.

We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.