Of Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible originated within the mind of God and by means of Holy Spirit guided men the complete, final, and inspired Scriptures have been given to mankind. We believe that God inspired every word of the original texts; that all the Scriptures are equally and completely inspired; and that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter. It is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only, complete, and final revelation of the will of God to man. It is the true centre of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
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By the “Holy Bible” we mean the collection of sixty–six books from Genesis through Revelation which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the Word of God.
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By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved and guided by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally free from error as no other writings have ever been or ever will be and into which God breathed so that they became alive.
II Sam. 23:2; Psa. 19: 7-11; Psa. 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Prov. 30:5-6; Isa. 8:20; Luke16:31; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39, 45-47; John 12:48; John 17:17; Acts 1:16; Acts 3:21; Acts 28:25; Rom. 3:4; Rom.15:4; Eph. 6:17; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21, 23; Rev. 22:19.
The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent, self-existing, intelligent Spirit, the creator, upholder, and supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honour, confidence, and love. We believe in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, yet executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Gen. 17:1; Ex. 15:11; Ex. 20:2-3; Deut. 6:4-5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Psa. 147:5; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; John 10:30; John 15:26; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 11:33; I Cor. 2:10-11; I Cor. 8:6; I Cor. 12:4-6; II Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; Eph. 4:6; Phil. 2:5-6; I Tim. 1:17; James 1:17; I John 5:7; Rev. 14:11.
The Holy Spirit
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, indwells, empowers, guides, teaches, comforts, sanctifies and helps the believer.
We believe the Scriptures teach that believers upon conversion receive spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit for the edification and good of the local church. In the beginning, some temporary gifts were given to provide oral revelation until the New Testament was completed. These spiritual gifts include that of an apostle, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, and prophecy. The spiritual gifts of tongues, healing, and miracles confirmed the word of spokesmen of God while the New Testament was being completed. We believe that the other spiritual gifts of pastor, teacher, evangelist, helps, ministry, exhortation, mercy, giving, faith, administration, and organization are to be operative in the local church today.
Gen. 1:1-3; Matt. 3:11; Matt. 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; Luke 3:16; Luke 24:49; John 1:33; John 3:5-6; John 14:16-17,26; John 15:26-27; John 16:8-11,13; Acts 5:30-32; Acts 11:16; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16, 26-27; Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:1-14:40; Eph 1:13-14; Eph. 4:11; II Thess. 2:7, 13; I Pet. 1:2; Heb. 9:14.
Of Jesus Christ:
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of God, yet co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of the virgin Mary as no other man has ever or can ever be born of woman, who assumed a human nature without sin and lived a perfect, sinless life. We believe He shed His precious blood on the cross as payment for sin, arose bodily from the grave, and ascended to reign in heaven. We believe that He is both the Son of God and God the Son. Gen. 3.15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark.1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 2:7; Gal. 4:4; I John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47.
Of Man
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. As a consequence, all mankind are now sinners and totally and inherently sinful, not by constraint, but by choice and are therefore under just condemnation without defense, excuse, or ability to personally alter their condition. Gen. 1:31; Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:18, 20, 32; Rom. 3:10-23; Rom. 5:12, 19; Gal. 3:22; Eph.2:1, 3.
Of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is totally by grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, by His death fully satisfied the righteous demands of God, and made a full and vicarious payment for our sins. We believe Christ’s atonement consisted not in simply setting an example as a martyr, but the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust. Christ the Lord bore our sins in His own body on the cross. Rising from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and unites in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection and is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Saviour.
Isa. 53:4-7, 11-12; Matt. 18:11, John 3:16-19, 36; John 10:18; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24-25; I Cor. 15:3, 20; II Cor. 5:21; Gal.1:4; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 2:7-8; Heb. 2:14; Heb. 7:25; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb.12:2; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3 18; I John 2:2; I John 4:10.
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; 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 as a free gift of God. We believe 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 solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. We believe that the evidences of salvation appear in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; John 3:3, 6-7, 9; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:17-19; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:1; Eph. 5:9; Col. 2:13; II Pet. 1:4; I John 5:1.
Of the Church
We believe that all regenerated persons of this present age belong to the spiritual body of Christ and are called the bride of Christ. All these will be gathered together at the rapture and assembled with Christ at the judgement seat.
We also believe that the New Testament emphasizes the importance of the local church. We believe that a local church is a congregation of scripturally 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. We believe that its officers are pastors (elders, bishops) and deacons, whose qualifications, privileges, and responsibilities are clearly defined in the Scriptures.
We believe the mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: firstly, to make individual disciples through preaching the Gospel; secondly, to baptize and add them to the church; thirdly, to instruct them in all things as He has commanded.
We believe that the local church should become self-supporting, self-propagating, and self-governing. We believe in the absolute right of the local church to be free from interference by any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and that the one and only Chief Shepherd and head is Christ. We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in contending for the faith and in furthering the gospel; that every church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; and that on all matters of membership, polity, government, discipline, and benevolence the will of the local church is final.
Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22-23; Acts 20:17-28; I Cor. 5:11-13; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 11:2; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11; I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 8:23-24; Eph 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; Eph. 5:23,24; Col. 1:18; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-4; Jude 3-4.
Of Baptism and the Lord’s Table:
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 Spirit. Baptism is a local church ordinance showing, through a solemn and beautiful emblem, personal faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour. It is a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is a prerequisite to church membership and the Lord’s Table.
We believe that the Lord’s Table was instituted by our Lord as a local church ordinance; it is symbolic, representative, and commemorative of the Lord’s blood and body. Each member of the local church should be committed to remember the Lord’s suffering and death through the regular observance of the Lord’s Table until He returns. The Lord’s Table is to be preceded by solemn self-examination.
Matt. 3:6,16; Matt. 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-5; I Cor.11:23-28; Col. 2:12; I Pet. 3:21.
Of Giving
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament teach a principle of voluntary, sacrificial, and regular giving by every believer as an act of worship and an expression of gratitude. We believe that; from the gifts of Abraham, through the tithes and offerings of the law, and into the present age of the church; giving to the Lord is to be proportionate of our income. While the proportion begins with a tenth, we are to prayerful respond to the Holy Spirit’s direction in establishing the portion of our giving as He blesses us and to serve Him with all that remains for our spending. Gen. 14:20; Mal. 3:8-10; Matt. 23:23; II Cor. 8:2-8; II Cor. 9:7-14; II Cor.16:2; Phil. 4:19; Heb. 7:5-9.
Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is divinely appointed for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured, and obeyed, except only in things that clearly violate the Scriptures. Conscientious obedience to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming King of all the earth) must follow the non-threatening, non-subversive, compassionate, harmless, and blameless example of our Saviour for the sake of testimony.
II Sam 23:3; Psa. 72:11; Dan. 3:17,18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 22:21; Matt. 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29; Acts 23:5; Rom. 13:1-7; Phil. 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14, 17; I Pet. 3:12-17; I Pet. 4:14-19; Rev.10:6.
Of The Righteous And The Wicked:
We believe that there is an essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those that are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His esteem, while all those that continue in impenitence and unbelief are wicked in His sight and are under the curse. These distinctions continue among men, both in and after death, in the everlasting holiness and joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Gen. 18:23; Prov. 14:32; Prov. 21:31; Mal. 3:18; Matt. 7:13–14; Matt. 25:34, 41; Luke 9:26; Luke 16:25; John 8:21; John 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Rom.1:17; Rom 6:16-18; Rom 6:23; Rom. 7:6; I Cor. 15:22; Gal. 3:10; I Pet. 4:18; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; I John 5:19; Rev. 20:15.
Of Angels and Satan
We believe that God created an innumerable host of holy angelic spirit beings prior to the creation of the earth. We believe that Satan was once one of these angels enjoying heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of demons; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold Satan to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power behind the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-Christ, and the ruler over all the powers of darkness. Though Satan and his demons are influential and powerful, they are limited by God, defeated at the cross of Christ, destined to final defeat at the hands of Christ, and will be judged with eternal justice in the lake of fire prepared for them.
Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Zech. 1:3; Matt. 4:1-3; Matt. 13:25; Matt. 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; II Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 2:2; I Thess. 3:4; II Thess. 2:8-11; I Pet. 5:8; II Pet. 2:4; I John 2:22; I John 3:8; I John 4:3; II John 7; Jude 6; Rev.12:7-10; Rev. 13:13-14; Rev. 19:11, 16, 20; Rev. 20:1-3, 10.
Of The Resurrection, Return Of Christ, And Related Future Events:
We believe that Christ arose bodily from the grave the third day according to the Scriptures; that He ascended to the right hand of the throne of God; that He is our only merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God; that the Lord Jesus will come in a bodily, personal and visible manner as He was seen going into heaven.
We believe that the Lord Jesus will receive up the saints of this age to meet Him in the air in what is often referred to as the “rapture” of the church. The dead in Christ will rise first and living saints will all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The righteous judgements of God will then be poured out on an unbelieving world in what is called the Great Tribulation and the climax of this awful era will be the physical return of Jesus Christ to earth in great glory to introduce His earthly millennial reign in the Davidic kingdom. Satan will be bound and the curse will be lifted from the physical creation for these one thousand years. Satan will be loosed for a short while following the millennium. He will wage a final war against God, will be judged at the Great White Throne and he, together with all the unbelievers of all ages, will be cast into the Lake of Fire. These present heavens and earth will then be destroyed and new heavens and a new earth will be created as the final abode in which righteousness will eternally dwell.
Psa. 72:8; Isa.9:6-7; Isa.11:.4-10; Isa.32:1;. Matt. 24:27, 42; Matt. 25:13; Matt. 28:6-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 1:32; Luke 24:2-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; John 20:27; Acts 1:9, 11; Acts 2:29- 30 1 Cor. 15:4, 25, 42, 51-53; Phil. 3:20-21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Heb. 5:9-10; Heb 9:28; Jas.5:8; Rev. 2:17; Rev.19:11-16; Rev. 20:1-6, 11-15.
Of the Creation
We believe in the literal, Genesis, six solar days account of creation; that man’s creation was not by evolutionary change of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms and that animal and vegetable life was made directly by God with the established law to bring forth only “after their kind”.
Gen. 1:1, 11; Gen. 1:24-27; Gen. 2:21-23; Ex. 20:11; Neh. 9:6; Jer. 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; Acts 17:23-26; Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 10:6.
Of Separation
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to individually separate ourselves unto the Lord Jesus Christ from worldly practices that are forbidden in Scripture, dishonour our Lord, or bring disrepute to the church.
We believe that this church is to remain separated from affiliation, fellowship, and cooperation with all those who deny true Biblical doctrine or endorse compromising alliances whereby Scriptural injunctions are ignored or the Gospel of Christ and the purity of the faith are damaged. All acts of separation are to be practiced with an attitude of devotion to Christ, humility, compassion, and yet conviction in order to maintain the glory of Christ while creating a proper condition for the salvation of the lost. Rom. 16:17; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; Eph. 5:11; I Thess. 1:9-10; I Tim. 6:3-5; II John 9-11.
1. PERSONAL
We believe that the true Christian must walk separately from worldliness, as they are children of God and their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Rm 12:1,2/ I Co 6:19,20
2. ECCLESIASTICAL
We believe that both modernism, neo-evangelicalism, ecumenism, and the charismatic movement violate biblical principles and doctrines and that the true Christian should neither participate in nor support them.. II Co 6:14-18/ II Jo 10
CLARIFICATION ON CONTEMPORARY TRENDS
Ecumenical Moviment: Seeks an eventual union of all religions into a super Church. This means that each member church, religion, or religious corporation will compromise its beliefs in areas of faith and practice to conform to the will of the majority. We are against the Ecumenical Movement and any dialogue with such groups (I Co 6:11-18).
Neo-Ortodoxy: It is a refined form of liberalism involving alterations of biblical terms without strict adherence to biblical truth. (Jd 3/ Eph 5:11)
Neo-Evangelicalism Is a movement that seeks to modify the Word of God by replacing human reason with the Revelation of God, placing love above fundamental doctrines as the basis for Christian fellowship and advocating a re-examination of the fundamental doctrines of the faith. We maintain a firm stance against this movement and those who promote this position. (Cl 2:8/ I Jo 5:2,3)
Charismatic Movement: teaches and advocates practices contrary to Scripture and has become a stimulating agent for a super-church. Speaking in tongues and healings were signs and temporary gifts, which ceased with the completion of the Canon of Scripture. Therefore, they are no longer valid today.
God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: We believe that the Lord Jesus died as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9) and therefore this does not eliminate human responsibility in either the proclamation or reception of the Gospel message. We believe that the saved are God's elect, chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, and that God's sovereignty does not deny man's freedom and responsibility and thus all men are genuinely invited to believe and be saved. (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 45:22; Ezequiel 33:1-11; Ef 1:11-14/ John 3:16 /1Tm 2:3-6 / 2Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17).