The Holy Scriptures: We believe the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments only, to be the verbally inspired word of God. We believe they are inerrant in the original manuscripts,autoritative,infallible and God- breathed. We also believe that they are the only supreme authority for faith and practice. The Scriptures are to be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical-contextual meaning. (2 Tim.3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21;Matthew 5:18; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13)
The Godhead- We believe in one triune God, existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are eternal in being identical in essence, equal in power and glory, and having the same divine attributes. (Deut. 6:4;Matt. 28:19;2 Cor.13:14; John 14:10,26)
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ:
1.) We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Matt. 1:18-20; John 1:1, 3,14; Luke 1:35; 2 Cor 5:19-21)
2.) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all that put their faith in Christ are justified on the ground of His work on the Cross. (Romans 3:24, 26;4:25;1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
3.) We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed to us by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead; in His bodily ascension in to Heaven; and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Intercessor. (Matt 28:5;1 Cor 15:12-19;Acts 1:9;Hebrews 4:14-16;7:23-25;9:24 1 John 2:12).
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit:
1.) We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son and the same substance and nature; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement; bears witness to the truth; is the agent of the new birth; and that He seals,endues,guides,teaches,witnesses to, sanctifies and helps the believer. He baptizes them into the Church, the Body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon each one, and fills for service those yielded to Him. ( John 3:8;14:16;15:26-27;16:7-15;Acts 5:1-4;Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; 13:8-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18)
2.) We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18;1 John 2:20,27; 1 Corinthians 2:14)
3.) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11,28;Ephesians 4:7-12)
4.) We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of he body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22)
Salvation, Regeneration, and Sanctification:
1.) Salvation– We believe that salvation is a gift of God brought to men by grace received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins. Salvation is solely through faith in the Ord Jesus Christ who shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins and, being a free gift, is not earned by any good works whatsoever. All those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are regenerated and become sons of God. (Ephesians 1:7;2:8-9; John 1:12;3:5-7)
2.) Regeneration– We believe that the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change in the soul by the Holy Spirit by which a new nature and spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted, and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus; and without it salvation is impossible. (John 3:3-6; 2 Cor 5:17;1 Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5)
3.) Sanctification– We believe that immediate, positional sanctification is the act of God whereby believers are, at the time of regeneration, eternally set apart as belonging to Him by redemption, thereby being placed in the family of God as children, joint heirs wit Jesus Christ. We believe that progressive sanctification is the process by which, according to God’s will, we are made partakers of His holiness. It is progressive; that it began in regeneration; that it progresses if the believer is yielded to the Holy Spirit’s control. (1 Thess 4:3;5:34; Proverbs 4:18; 1 John 2:29;3:1;Ephesians 6:18; John 17:17;1 Corinthians 1:2;Hebrews 10:10-14)
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our 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 knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly 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 also purpose to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, backbiting, and unrighteous anger; to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer, or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ, our Savior; and to give Him preeminence in all things.
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 of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, and to secure reconciliation without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.