BELIEFS
ARTICLES OF FAITH
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.
We believe the Authorized (King James) Version Old and New Testaments are the Word of God kept intact for English-speaking peoples by way of God's divine providence and work of preservation; and that the Authorized Version translators were not "inspired", but were merely God's instruments used to preserve His words for English-speaking peoples.
A. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of 66 books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as or originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
B. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II. OF THE TRUE GOD
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.
III. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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.
IV. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honor; 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 false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-christ, 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.
V. OF CREATION
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 they should bring forth only "after their kind".
VI. OF THE FALL 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, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
VII. OF 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 was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
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. His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinners 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 in every way qualified to be a suitable, a companionate and an all-sufficient Saviour.
IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. 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. 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.
X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
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 obedient faith, and not prevent 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.
XI. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness. It is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood through which His righteousness is imputed unto us.
XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
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 Saviour.
XIII. OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a local 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; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word. Its officers are pastors (Elders, Bishops) and deacons, 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 head is Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is scriptural for true Churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel. Every Church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation. on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local Church is final.
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
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, with the authority of the local Church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation and to the Lord's supper, in which the members of this Church, by the sacred use of bread and unfermented wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
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.
XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
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 our 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 felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
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.
XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scripture 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."
XIX. OF MISSIONS
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the Churches.
Matt. 28;18-20; "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
John 20:21: "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Rom. 10:13-15: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
XX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.
II Cor.8:7; "Therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (Common treasury of the Church) upon the first day of the week.
I Cor. 16:2; "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
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" --Matt. 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the Church.
Lev. 27:30, "The tithe is the Lords." Mal. 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the Church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, "And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles feet. . . Having land sold it and brought the money and laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET."
XXI. OF SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD
We believe that all the saved are called into life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices.
XXII. OF THE LORD'S DAY
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for the rest that remaineth for the people of God.
CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe of the Lord, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the 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 grace, knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to its support, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We further covenant to maintain family and secret devotions; to educate our children in the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our family and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our responsibilities, and exemplary in our behaviour; to avoid all tattling (gossip), backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble, or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ, to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
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 cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.
We, moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Church of like faith and practice, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
