What We Believe

That water baptism is an ordinance to be observed during this present age in obedience to the Lord’s command. It is a symbol of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen savior, symbolizing our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It should not be regarded as a means for imparting salvation.
(Matt. 3:13-17, 28:18-20; Acts 2:41, 10:47-48)

That the Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion, is an ordinance to be observed by the Church during this present age in obedience to the Lord’s command. It should not be regarded as a means for imparting salvation or forgiving sins.
(Mt. 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-26)

That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only those who receive Jesus Christ through faith are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.
(Acts 2:21, 4:10-12, 16:30-31; Rom. 10:9-13; Eph. 2:8, II Thess. 2:13; Heb. 9:27-28)

That the true Church is comprised of all people who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and have, therefore, become part of the body of Christ, of which Christ is the Head.
(Acts 2:44-47; I Cor. 12:12-14, 27; Eph. 3:6, 5:29-30)

That God is able to save those who come to Him by faith through Christ. This faith is evidenced by obedience to the will of God, repentance of sin, and works of righteousness. God will perfect the work of salvation in the believer until the day of Christ.
(Jn. 6:37-40, 8:30-32, 20:30-31; Rom. 10:9-10; Heb. 5:8-10; I Jn. 2:1-4, 3:23-24)

That only those who are members of the true Church and have followed the Lord in believers’ baptism shall be eligible for membership in the local church body.
(Matt. 3:11; Mark. 16:16; Acts 2:37-41, 8:35-38; I Cor. 12:12-13)

In the personal and pre-millennial coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.
(Matt. 16:27, 24:1-3, 27; Acts 1:7-11; I Thess. 4:13-18; I Tim. 6:12-16; Tit. 2:11-14; Rev. 22:20-21)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer

• Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from salvation on, and it is God’s intent for those who are born again to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
  (John 16:13; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 5:18; I Jn. 2:20, 27)
• The Holy Spirit is sovereign in bestowing gifts to the Church – for the perfecting of the saints, not for the purpose of glorifying Himself or the gifts. Every believer is given a gift or gifts by the Holy Spirit to be used in serving the church in its ministry. The charismatic gifts, such as healings and tongues, were given for a specific purpose at a transitional period following Pentecost; that purpose having been fulfilled, we believe these gifts are no longer normative in the church today. Therefore, in a desire to maintain a Biblically recommended sense of order in our worship services, it is requested that worshipers refrain from any distracting behavior, and that the so-called charismatic demonstrations such as glossolalia, speaking in tongues, not be exercised or promoted at any function associated with this church.
  (I Cor. 12:4-11; 14:1-4, 26-34; Eph. 4:7-12; Heb. 2:1-4)

The Sanctity of Human Life

• God is sovereign over the giving and taking of life. Human life is a gift from God to be cherished from the time of conception until natural death. Human life begins at conception–each soul an immediate creation of God–and continues until the soul is separated from the body in death. All humans have the God-given right and responsibility to enjoy the length of life willed by their Creator.
  (Gen. 1:27; Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Job 10:8-10; Ps. 139:13-16; Eccl. 12:7; Is. 32:38; Jer. 1:45)

Human Sexuality

• All humans are created by God as either male or female. Sexual relations between husband and wife are commended by God, solely to be enjoyed within the bond of marriage. Premarital, extramarital, and homosexual relations are prohibited in Holy Scripture.
  (Gen. 1:27, 2:18-24; Ex. 20:14; Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 6:9-10, 18; Heb. 13:4)

Marriage and Family

• God has ordained that the family is an agent which He has set forth to accomplish His purpose in Christ, and the foundation of the family is marriage. The blessings and obligations of the marriage covenant between believers are permanent. However, the marriage covenant is legitimately terminated by death, adultery, or desertion by an unbelieving spouse, and remarriage is Biblically permissible under these circumstances.
  (Jer. 29:6; Mal. 2:16; Mk. 10:7-9; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:1-17)
• Husbands and wives have joint responsibility for the physical and spiritual well- being of one another and their children. However, God has appointed men to exercise loving leadership in providing for both the material and spiritual needs within their homes and to be the primary agents for the furtherance of the Christian faith within their own families.
  (Dt. 6:1-9; Eph. 5:22-31, 6:4; Col. 3:21)

Teaching and Leadership Roles

• Both men and women should utilize their spiritual giftedness within the parameters outlined in Holy Scripture. The general oversight and teaching ministries within the local church are limited by Scripture to men who meet the biblical requirements. Women have vital oversight and teaching ministries within the church to women and children.
  (I Cor. 14:33-37; I Tim. 2:9-15, 3:1-12, 5:9-16; Tit.1:6-9, 2:3-4)

Christian Liberty

• As spiritual growth is a lifelong process, it is understood that spiritual maturity will vary among members of the true Church. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each member to limit their Christian liberty in an attitude of love for the cause of Christ that a weaker brother might not stumble.
  (I Cor. 6:12, 8:7-13; Rom. 14:13-23)