Articles of faith*
1. We believe in the one true and living God: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.
(1 John 5:7, Mat. 28:19, 1 Pet. 1:2, Jude 1:1)
We believe there is only one true and living God, that He is eternal; and that He is all powerful, infinite in knowledge, everywhere present, and works according to His sovereign will in heaven and earth. We believe He is manifested in three Persons: the Father, the Son (or Word), and the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit); which we refer to as the Trinity. For further explanation, see John 1:1, 14-15.
2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, and that the King James Version is the preserved word of God in English.
(2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:21, Psa. 12:6-7)
We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God; therefore, it is our only reference for determining what we believe, how we worship, and how we live.
3. We believe in the doctrine of original sin.
(Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12, 19)
The doctrine of “Original Sin” teaches that when Adam transgressed God’s law in the Garden of Eden, he separated himself from God in that he was now dead in trespasses and sins, incapable of saving himself from his ruined condition. Furthermore, it teaches that Adam represented all of us in the sense that the penalty for his sin was inherited by all of his descendants. That is what is meant by the expressions, “death passed upon
all men”, and “by one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners” (see Rom. 5:12, 19). All of us are born sinners because we inherit the sin nature of Adam in the same way that children inherit some of the physical characteristics of their parents.
4. We believe in man's impotency to recover himself, by his own free will and ability, from the fallen state he is in by nature.
(Psa. 14:1-3 & 53:1-3, Rom. 3:10-18, 1 Cor. 2:14)
As a result of transgressing God’s law in the Garden of Eden, Adam died (Gen. 2:15-17) in the sense that his body was cursed with sin which eventually resulted in physical death (1 Cor. 15:22). Furthermore, he died spiritually in that he was separated from God. The consequence of Adam’s transgression was passed upon all his descendants (Rom. 5:12). Being dead in trespasses and sins, man does not have the ability or desire to seek God (1 Cor. 2:14).
5. We believe in the doctrine of election and that God chose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world.
(1 Pet. 1:2, Eph. 1:3-6, John 17:2)
God loves a countless number of people all over the world. He chose to love them before time began, so we know His love for them is not based on anything they do. We may think it is unfair if God doesn’t love everyone, but we aren’t God. God does whatever he wants to do (see Psalm 115:3). Someone may ask, “What if someone loves God but He doesn’t love them?” There isn’t anyone in that condition because the ones that love God and/or desire to live right are the ones that He loved first (see 1 John 4:19). If we were required to do something to get saved, consider all those who would be left out: the
millions of aborted children, children who died while infants, people who have a severe mental handicap, countless multitudes in places where the name of Jesus has never been mentioned, and all the people who lived before Jesus came into the world.
6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the imputed righteousness of Christ.
(Isa. 53:6; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:11-12, 26, 10:14; Rom. 5:9; Col. 1:14)
About two thousand years ago, Jesus came into the world to save all those whom God chose to love before the world began. He didn’t try to save them or offer them salvation. Through His death, burial, and resurrection; He saved them. He who had no sin suffered for our sins. Jesus saved us by Himself. If we are required to do something to get saved, no matter how small, then Jesus did not save us. He only made salvation available.
7. We believe that all of God’s elect shall be born of the Spirit. We refer to this work of the Spirit as a calling, regeneration, or sanctification.
(John 5:25, 6:63, 10:27-28; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 2:1; Col. 1:13)
God chose to love a countless number of people before time began. Jesus came into the world about 2,000 years ago and saved all those people. The Spirit of God gives each one of them spiritual life. Jesus compared this to the to the wind. In the same way that we have no control over the wind, we have no control over the Spirit of God. Just like someone pouring water on your head, you are wet regardless whether you "accept it" or not.
8. We believe that the saints shall be preserved in grace and never finally fall away.
(John 10:28-29, Rom 8:35-39, Jude 1:1)
This simply means that all of those whom God loves and that Jesus saved cannot lose their salvation. All of them will eternally live with God in heaven when their life in this world ends.
9. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only subjects of baptism, and that immersion is the apostolic mode.
(Mat. 28:19, Acts 2:38-42, Mat. 26:26-28, 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
By “ordinances”, we are referring to the ceremonies in which the church participates collectively. Baptism and Communion (The Lord’s Supper) are the only two given to the Church under the authority of Jesus Christ as revealed in the written word of God (The Bible). We generally observe these ordinances only a couple of times each year so as to maintain a proper reverence. This service is always scheduled separately from our weekly Sunday morning service so our visitors can expect a regular worship service consisting of singing, prayer, and preaching on Sunday mornings.
10. We believe that as our Lord and Saviour washed His disciples’ feet, we ought to wash one another's feet.
(John 13:2-17, 1 Tim. 5:9-10)
At the conclusion of the Lord’s Supper as recorded in the 17th chapter of John, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He then told them that they should wash one another’s feet. We continue to practice this example which Jesus gave to the church. We engage in this practice immediately following the communion service.
11. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and in a general judgment, and that the joys of the righteous will be eternal and the punishment of the wicked everlasting.
(John 5:28-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:12-24, 50-54; 1 Thes. 4:13-17)
Jesus established his church during the time of his ministry prior to his crucifixion. Baptized believers sang hymns, prayed together, and learned the word of God through preaching. We continue to follow this example until Jesus returns. The souls of His children who die prior to His return immediately enter into God’s
presence in Heaven where they will reside until his return to earth. Upon His return, He will resurrect the dead, reunite soul and body, and take his children to Heaven where they will be eternally satisfied worshiping Him in a perfect body; free from all pain, sickness, and sorrow. His children who are still alive at His return will likewise be transformed into a perfect body and taken to heaven.
12. We believe that only ministers who have been regularly baptized, called, and come under the imposition of the hands of the presbytery have the right to administer the ordinances.
(Heb. 5:4; Jer. 1:5; Mat. 4:18-20; Acts 20:17; 28; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 9:16-17; 1 Tim. 3:1)
There are three requirements for becoming a minister. In succession, he must be baptized into the membership of the church, called of God to preach/teach, and ordained by a presbytery (group of ordained ministers) under the authority of the church where he is a member. Prior to ordination, his calling to the ministry must be confirmed by the church as they observe his teaching and manner of life over a period of time. Furthermore, the presbytery must also be convinced that he is called of God to preach. Unlike the practice of modern cults, we believe that ministers are answerable to the members of the church
concerning what they teach as well as the moral principles that govern their lives. Only ordained ministers may administer the ordinances of the church.
13. We believe that none but regularly baptized members have a right to commune at the Lord's Table.
(Acts 2:41-42, 1 Cor. 11:26)
Baptism is a public profession of faith. To be baptized is to express one’s belief that Jesus is their Savior. The partaking of the unleavened bread and wine during the communion service expresses one’s belief that Jesus died for their sins. Therefore, only baptized believers may participate in the communion service.
14. We believe that good works, only as commanded in the scriptures, are ordained of God and should be practiced by His children.
(Eph. 2:10, Tit. 2:11-14)
Jesus saved his people from their sins. Therefore, the purpose of a godly life is to express our thankfulness to God for salvation. The inspired word of God (The Bible) teaches us how to live a godly life.
*Explanatory notes by Elder Buddy Abernathy
(1 John 5:7, Mat. 28:19, 1 Pet. 1:2, Jude 1:1)
We believe there is only one true and living God, that He is eternal; and that He is all powerful, infinite in knowledge, everywhere present, and works according to His sovereign will in heaven and earth. We believe He is manifested in three Persons: the Father, the Son (or Word), and the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit); which we refer to as the Trinity. For further explanation, see John 1:1, 14-15.
2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, and that the King James Version is the preserved word of God in English.
(2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:21, Psa. 12:6-7)
We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God; therefore, it is our only reference for determining what we believe, how we worship, and how we live.
3. We believe in the doctrine of original sin.
(Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12, 19)
The doctrine of “Original Sin” teaches that when Adam transgressed God’s law in the Garden of Eden, he separated himself from God in that he was now dead in trespasses and sins, incapable of saving himself from his ruined condition. Furthermore, it teaches that Adam represented all of us in the sense that the penalty for his sin was inherited by all of his descendants. That is what is meant by the expressions, “death passed upon
all men”, and “by one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners” (see Rom. 5:12, 19). All of us are born sinners because we inherit the sin nature of Adam in the same way that children inherit some of the physical characteristics of their parents.
4. We believe in man's impotency to recover himself, by his own free will and ability, from the fallen state he is in by nature.
(Psa. 14:1-3 & 53:1-3, Rom. 3:10-18, 1 Cor. 2:14)
As a result of transgressing God’s law in the Garden of Eden, Adam died (Gen. 2:15-17) in the sense that his body was cursed with sin which eventually resulted in physical death (1 Cor. 15:22). Furthermore, he died spiritually in that he was separated from God. The consequence of Adam’s transgression was passed upon all his descendants (Rom. 5:12). Being dead in trespasses and sins, man does not have the ability or desire to seek God (1 Cor. 2:14).
5. We believe in the doctrine of election and that God chose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world.
(1 Pet. 1:2, Eph. 1:3-6, John 17:2)
God loves a countless number of people all over the world. He chose to love them before time began, so we know His love for them is not based on anything they do. We may think it is unfair if God doesn’t love everyone, but we aren’t God. God does whatever he wants to do (see Psalm 115:3). Someone may ask, “What if someone loves God but He doesn’t love them?” There isn’t anyone in that condition because the ones that love God and/or desire to live right are the ones that He loved first (see 1 John 4:19). If we were required to do something to get saved, consider all those who would be left out: the
millions of aborted children, children who died while infants, people who have a severe mental handicap, countless multitudes in places where the name of Jesus has never been mentioned, and all the people who lived before Jesus came into the world.
6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the imputed righteousness of Christ.
(Isa. 53:6; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:11-12, 26, 10:14; Rom. 5:9; Col. 1:14)
About two thousand years ago, Jesus came into the world to save all those whom God chose to love before the world began. He didn’t try to save them or offer them salvation. Through His death, burial, and resurrection; He saved them. He who had no sin suffered for our sins. Jesus saved us by Himself. If we are required to do something to get saved, no matter how small, then Jesus did not save us. He only made salvation available.
7. We believe that all of God’s elect shall be born of the Spirit. We refer to this work of the Spirit as a calling, regeneration, or sanctification.
(John 5:25, 6:63, 10:27-28; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 2:1; Col. 1:13)
God chose to love a countless number of people before time began. Jesus came into the world about 2,000 years ago and saved all those people. The Spirit of God gives each one of them spiritual life. Jesus compared this to the to the wind. In the same way that we have no control over the wind, we have no control over the Spirit of God. Just like someone pouring water on your head, you are wet regardless whether you "accept it" or not.
8. We believe that the saints shall be preserved in grace and never finally fall away.
(John 10:28-29, Rom 8:35-39, Jude 1:1)
This simply means that all of those whom God loves and that Jesus saved cannot lose their salvation. All of them will eternally live with God in heaven when their life in this world ends.
9. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only subjects of baptism, and that immersion is the apostolic mode.
(Mat. 28:19, Acts 2:38-42, Mat. 26:26-28, 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
By “ordinances”, we are referring to the ceremonies in which the church participates collectively. Baptism and Communion (The Lord’s Supper) are the only two given to the Church under the authority of Jesus Christ as revealed in the written word of God (The Bible). We generally observe these ordinances only a couple of times each year so as to maintain a proper reverence. This service is always scheduled separately from our weekly Sunday morning service so our visitors can expect a regular worship service consisting of singing, prayer, and preaching on Sunday mornings.
10. We believe that as our Lord and Saviour washed His disciples’ feet, we ought to wash one another's feet.
(John 13:2-17, 1 Tim. 5:9-10)
At the conclusion of the Lord’s Supper as recorded in the 17th chapter of John, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He then told them that they should wash one another’s feet. We continue to practice this example which Jesus gave to the church. We engage in this practice immediately following the communion service.
11. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and in a general judgment, and that the joys of the righteous will be eternal and the punishment of the wicked everlasting.
(John 5:28-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:12-24, 50-54; 1 Thes. 4:13-17)
Jesus established his church during the time of his ministry prior to his crucifixion. Baptized believers sang hymns, prayed together, and learned the word of God through preaching. We continue to follow this example until Jesus returns. The souls of His children who die prior to His return immediately enter into God’s
presence in Heaven where they will reside until his return to earth. Upon His return, He will resurrect the dead, reunite soul and body, and take his children to Heaven where they will be eternally satisfied worshiping Him in a perfect body; free from all pain, sickness, and sorrow. His children who are still alive at His return will likewise be transformed into a perfect body and taken to heaven.
12. We believe that only ministers who have been regularly baptized, called, and come under the imposition of the hands of the presbytery have the right to administer the ordinances.
(Heb. 5:4; Jer. 1:5; Mat. 4:18-20; Acts 20:17; 28; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 9:16-17; 1 Tim. 3:1)
There are three requirements for becoming a minister. In succession, he must be baptized into the membership of the church, called of God to preach/teach, and ordained by a presbytery (group of ordained ministers) under the authority of the church where he is a member. Prior to ordination, his calling to the ministry must be confirmed by the church as they observe his teaching and manner of life over a period of time. Furthermore, the presbytery must also be convinced that he is called of God to preach. Unlike the practice of modern cults, we believe that ministers are answerable to the members of the church
concerning what they teach as well as the moral principles that govern their lives. Only ordained ministers may administer the ordinances of the church.
13. We believe that none but regularly baptized members have a right to commune at the Lord's Table.
(Acts 2:41-42, 1 Cor. 11:26)
Baptism is a public profession of faith. To be baptized is to express one’s belief that Jesus is their Savior. The partaking of the unleavened bread and wine during the communion service expresses one’s belief that Jesus died for their sins. Therefore, only baptized believers may participate in the communion service.
14. We believe that good works, only as commanded in the scriptures, are ordained of God and should be practiced by His children.
(Eph. 2:10, Tit. 2:11-14)
Jesus saved his people from their sins. Therefore, the purpose of a godly life is to express our thankfulness to God for salvation. The inspired word of God (The Bible) teaches us how to live a godly life.
*Explanatory notes by Elder Buddy Abernathy