Statement of Basic Beliefs
The Bible and God
1. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely
inspired; that it is truth without mixture of error; and that it is
2. We believe that there is one, and only one true and living
The Fall of Man and Salvation
voluntary transgression fell from that holy state, in consequence of
4. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of
grace through the atoning death and bodily resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Salvation comes by the grace of God through faith and not by
5. We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free
to all by the gospel and that nothing prevents the salvation of the
Grace, Repentance & Faith
6. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be
7. We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable
graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, and
Justification
8. We believe that through justification the perfect
righteousness of God is imputed to the believers in Christ Jesus. (Acts
13:39; Romans 5:1-2)
Sanctification
9. We believe that sanctification is a progressive process by
which the believer is made partaker of God’s holiness, and that this
process begins in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the
hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
(Philippians 2:12-13; I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23-24)
God’s Purpose and Election
10. Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which
He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent
with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in
connection with the end. It is a glorious display of God’s sovereign
goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy and unchangeable. It excludes
boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in
Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the
state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall
into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the
Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the cause
of Christ, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John
10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; I Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 1:12-14)
A Gospel Church
11. We believe that a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus
Christ is a congregation of baptized believers bound together in the
faith and fellowship of the gospel; and that Jesus committed the
ministry of His gospel to His churches. This church is an autonomous
body, operating through democratic processes under the lordship of
Jesus Christ. In such a congregation members are equally
responsible. (Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 12)
Baptism
12. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a
believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. It is the act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith
in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior; the believer’s death to
sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in
newness of life in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 28:19-20; 3:13-17; Acts
2:41-42; Acts 8:35-39)
13. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby
Christians, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine,
memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second
coming. Self-examination should always precede partaking of the
Lord’s Supper. (I Cor. 11:23-29)
The Lord’s Day
14. We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s
Day. It commemorated the resurrection of Christ from the dead and
should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion.
(Acts 20:7; Exodus 20:8-11)
The World to Come
15. We believe at the last day Christ will descend from heaven;
the dead will be raised; a solemn judgment and separation will then
take place; and His judgment will fix forever the final state of men