We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of 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, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (John 1:33, 3:5-6, 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26-27, 16:8-11, & 16:13; Matthew 3:11 & 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Luke 1:35, 3:16 & 24:49; Genesis 1:1-3; Romans 8:14, 8:16 & 8:26-27; Acts 5:30-32 & 11:16; II Thessalonians 2:7 & 2:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; I Peter 1:2)
We believe that Satan 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 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, the 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 own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Revelation 12:9-10, 12:7-9, 13:13-14, 19:11, 19:16, 19:20, 20:1-3 & 20:10; I John 3:8, 4:3 & 2:22; Matthew 4:1-3, 13:39 & 25:41; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 14:30; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; I Peter 5:8; Luke 22:3-4; II John 7; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; II Thessalonians 2:8-11)
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; 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 animal and vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was that they should bring forth fruit only "after their kind." (Genesis 1:1, 1:11, 1:24, 1:26-27 & 2:21-23; Acts 4:24 & 17:23-26; Exodus 20:11; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6)
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost, 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. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20; I Corinthians 15:47)
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by 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 the 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 Savior. (Ephesians2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25, 15:11; John 2:2, 3:16 & 10:18; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14, 7:25, 9:12-15 & 12:2; Isaiah 53:4-7 & 53:11-12; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; I Peter 2:4 & 3:18)
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is 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. (John 1:12-13, 3:3, 3:6-7; II Corinthians 5:17 & 5:19; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; Acts 2:41; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1 & 5:9; Colossians 2:13; Galatians 5:22)
We believe in God's electing 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 a cordial, penitent and an obedient faith; and 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. (I Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30 & 10:13; Matthew 11:28; Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 55:1 & 55:6-7; Acts 2:38; I Timothy 1:15; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 3:15-16, 3:18, 3:36, 5:40 & 6:37; I Corinthians 15:10)
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, 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. (Acts 13:39 & 2:37-38; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8 & 18:13; Romans 10:9-11 & 10:13; Psalm 51:1-4 & 51-7; Isaiah 55:6-7)
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. (Acts 2:37-38 & 20:21; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8 & 18:13; Romans 10:9-11 & 10:13; Psalm 51:1-4 & 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7)
We believe that a Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the 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 superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true church to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every 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. (Acts 2:41-42, 6:5-6, 14:23, 15:22-23, & 20:17-28; I Corinthians 11:2, 12:4, 13:8-11, 16:1-3, & 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:22, 4:11, 5:23-24; I Timothy 3:1-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Jude 3 & 4; Colossians 1:18; I Peter 5:1-4; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Malachi 3:10; Leviticus 27:32)
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper; in which born again believers in Christ, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Acts 2:41-42 & 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6, 3:16, 28:19-20; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11:23-28)
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand 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. (John 8:31-32, 10:28-29; Colossians 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matthew 13:19-21; Romans 8:28 & 8:35-39; Psalm 121:3; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6)
1. We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to 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.
2. Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the 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.
(Romans 13:7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5, 4:19-20; Matthew 10:28, 22:21 & 23:10; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14 & 2:17; Daniel 3;17-18; Philippians 2:10-11; Psalm 72:11; 1Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32)
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 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 visible; 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." (Matthew 28:6-7, 24:27, 24:42; Luke 1:32, 24:2-7, 24:39, 24:51; John 14:3 & 20:27; I John 2:1; I Corinthians 15:4, 15:25 & 15:42-44; Mark 16:6 & 16:19; Acts 1:9-11; Isaiah 11;4-5; Hebrews 2:17, 5:9-10, 8:6, 8:11, 9:28 & 12:2; I Timothy 2:5; Psalm 72:8; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 3:21, 20:1-4 & 20:6)
1. We believe that the command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches.
2. 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. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:20)
1. Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith.
2. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians. 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)
3. We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
4. Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe – “Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils" (Hebrews 7:2, 4), and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye ought to have done." (Matthew 23:23)
5. We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church. (Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10). In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church. (Acts 4:34, 25, 37)
1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalms 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; I Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrew 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7)
3. Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)
4. Abortion. 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 human 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 the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
5. Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)
We accept the Scriptures as our authority in matters of faith and practice, and adopt the Articles of Faith as listed above, as our interpretation of Bible doctrine; all power is received from Christ, our Head. The church is independent of any ecclesiastical body or convention.