BIBLIOLOGY

We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21); A) that the Lord accomplished this through the personality, abilities, and experiences of each of the individual writers of Scripture (2 Pet. 1:21); B) that it is inerrant as it was recorded in the original manuscripts (Jn. 5:39-40; Acts 17:11); C) that it has been providentially preserved and ably translated into our own language; D) that it is the infallible authority in matters of faith and practice (Isa. 8:20; Jn. 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:16-17); E) that it, in conjunction with the working of the Holy Spirit, is the agent by which the Lord leads men to a realization of their hopelessness without Christ and need for salvation (Acts 8:35; Heb. 4:12); F) that it should be proclaimed accurately and authoritatively by the servant of God (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Thes. 1:5-6;); G) that it must be interpreted according to sound hermeneutical principles; and H) that it ought to be read, studied, memorized, and obeyed by every Christian (Psa. 119:9, 11; Acts 17:11).

THEOLOGY

We believe that the one true God is an infinite and perfect Spirit (Mk. 12:29; Jn. 4:24) in whom all things have their source, support, and end (Gen. 1:1; Psa. 104);

A) that he has revealed himself to men, with Jesus Christ being the perfect revelation of God himself; B) that he has personality, being: 1) spirit (Jn. 4:24), 2) living (1 Tim. 4:10), 3) intelligent (Rom. 11:33), 4) purposive (Eph. 3:11), 5) active (Psa. 92:4-5; Phil. 2:13), 6) free (Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11), 7) self-conscious (Ex. 3:14), and 8) emotional (Jer. 31:3; Rom. 1:18); C) that he exhibits definite attributes: 1) greatness - consisting of a) self-existence (Ex. 3:14), b) infinity (Psa. 103:12), c) perfection (Psa. 18:30), d) omnipotence (Gen. 17:1), e) omniscience (1 Jn. 3:20), f) omnipresence (Psa. 139:7-10; Jer. 23:23-24), g) wisdom (Rom. 11:33; 16:27), h) eternity (Gen. 21:33; Deut. 33:27), i) immutability (Mal. 3:6; Jas. 1:17), and j) incompre-hensibility (Psa. 145:3; Rom. 11:33); and 2) goodness - consisting of his a) holiness (1 Pet. 1:15-16), b) truth (Jer. 10:10; 1 Thes. 1:9), c) love Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:8), d) righteousness (Psa. 11:7), e) faithfulness (Psa. 89:1,2,5,8; 1 Cor. 10:13), f) mercy (Psa. 103:4; 2 Cor. 1:3), and g) grace (2 Ki. 13:23; Eph. 1:7); D) that he is the Sovereign of the universe (Psa. 103:19): 1) as the planner he has decreed what comes to pass (Rom. 8:28; 2 Tim. 1:9); 2) as the maker he created it (Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor. 8:6); 3) as the upholder he preserves it (Heb. 1:3); and 4) as the controller he providentially directs it (Psa. 66:7).

We believe that there is only one true God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 45:21-22); A) that he exists eternally (Ex. 3:14; Jer. 10:10) in three persons (Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14): 1) Father Jn. 4:23-24), 2) Son (Jn. 1:1-14; Rom. 9:5), and 3) Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4); B) that each of these members of the Godhead is distinct in personality (Jn. 3:16; 5:26; 14:16,17; 15:26; 1 Pet. 1:2) while still each being equally God Jn. 6:27; Acts 5:3-4; Heb. 1:8); C) that all three persons of the Godhead work in complete harmony; and D) that each is to be equally honored and worshiped as God (Jn. 5:23; Acts 5:3-4).

CHRISTOLOGY

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the trinity (Matt. 16:13-16; Jn. 10:36). A) that he was eternally pre-existent (Jn. 1:1-2); B) that through the incarnation he entered this world to take upon himself human nature, flesh, and form (Rom. 1:3; 1 Tim. 3:16), though he did not cease to have a divine personality and nature (Phil. 2:6-8); C) that this incarnation was by means of the Virgin Birth (Isa. 7:17; Matt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:26-38; 2:1-11,21), thus fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, insuring his sinless nature by preserving him from original sin, and explaining the nature of his personality; D) that he is God (Jn. 1:18; 20:28; 1 Jn. 5:20); E) that he was perfectly and completely human (Jn. 8:40; 1 Tim. 2:5); F) that he actually died upon the cross to atone for the sins of mankind (Isa. 53:1-12; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 3:25-26), which atonement was universal in nature (1 Tim. 4:10; Titus 2:11; 1 Jn. 2:2), but limited in application (1 Tim. 4:10); G) that he was resurrected bodily from the tomb (Jn. 19:38-42; 1 Cor. 15:4-7); and H) that he ascended bodily into heaven (Lk. 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11) where he serves now as our High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:26), Advocate (1 Jn. 2:1-2), and Intercessor (Heb. 7:25).

PNEUMATOLOGY

We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, is God (Acts 5:1-4; 1 Cor. 3:16); A) that he is a personality and not just a power or abstract force (Jn. 14:16-17; 16:7-14); B) that he convicts men of sin and reveals to them their need of salvation in Christ (Jn. 16:7-11, 14-15); C) that he baptizes judicially all believers, in this dispensation, into the body of Christ at the time of their salvation (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:4-6); D) that he regenerates (Titus 3:5), indwells (Rom. 8:9), seals (Eph. 1:13), fills (Eph. 5:18), sanctifies (2 Cor. 3:18), comforts (Jn . 14:26), and teaches (Jn. 14:26; 1 Jn. 2:27) the believer; E) that he bestows spiritual gifts (God-given abilities for service in the church) upon individual believers (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:11,18), though the sign gifts ceased after the apostolic era when the New Testament Scriptures were completed (1 Cor. 13:8-11; Heb. 2:1-4).

ANTHROPOLOGY / HAMARTIOLOGY

We believe that man was created by a direct and immediate act of God (Gen. 2:7); that man^'s original state was one of innocence (Gen. 1:27; 2:16-17), being made in the image of God, as a personal, spiritual, and moral creature (Gen. 1:26); that man personally disobeyed the revealed will of God and became a sinner (Gen. 3:1-7), thus incurring both physical and spiritual death (Rom. 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1); that all men are born in this same depraved state and are sinful by nature and practice (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:3; 4:17-19) as a result of the imputation of Adams sin (Rom. 5:12-21); that men are uniformly subject to the wrath and condemnation of a just God (Jn . 3:18, 36); that they have nothing within themselves by which they can merit salvation (Rom. 7:18; Gal. 3:10); that even when saved, man still has within him two natures, the carnal and the spiritual, which are in constant conflict (Rom. 7:15-25; 8:1-13; 1 Cor. 3:1-4); and that the believer is commanded by Scripture to live a godly life by walking after the Spirit rather than the flesh, which can be accomplished by the grace of God and obedience to His Word (Gal. 5:16-25; 2 Pet. 1:1-10; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, transvestism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. (Genesis 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9;

I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4) We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender. (Genesis 1:26-28; Deuteronomy 22:5) We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 7:2; I Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23). We believe God can move us from the aforementioned, sinful lifestyle into a lifestyle that is honoring him. (I Cor. 6:9-20). {adopted 26 October 2014}

SOTERIOLOGY

We believe that salvation is by grace (Eph. 2:8) and can be neither merited nor earned by any virtue or work of man (Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:5); A) that the sinner must be convicted of his sinful condition by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 15:26; 16:7-11); B) that it is received only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8-9); C) that Christ is the Savior by virtue of his shed blood and substitutionary death (Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:22) and that there is salvation in no one else (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12); D) that it is eternal in nature (Jn. 3 :16; 1 Jn. 5 :13); E) that it applies to the whole man (1 Thes. 5:23-24); F) that this general term, salvation, includes many other specific biblical doctrines: 1) election - that God, before the foundation of the world, chose all believers to salvation in Christ with all its attendant blessings and obligations (Eph. 1:4; 1 Thes. 1:4); 2) calling - that work of God by which He invites all men to Christ, and actually brings sinners to salvation (Rom. 8:30; 2 Thes. 2:14; 2 Pet. 1:10); 3) regeneration - that instantaneous, supernatural impartation of spiritual life to the spiritually dead (Jn. 3:3; Titus 3:5); 4) faith - that knowledge of, assent to, and unreserved trust in the accomplished redemption of Christ as revealed in the Scriptures (Rom. 1:17; 10:17; Heb. 11:6); 5) repentance - that intellectual, emotional, and volitional change of mind away from sin and toward God (Acts 20:21; Heb. 6:1); 6) conversion - that turning aspect of the act by which a person comes to Christ (Psa. 119:59-60; 1 Thes. 1:9); 7) justification - that judicial act of God by which He declares the sinner righteous and treats him as such (Rom. 5:1,9; 2 Cor. 5:21); 8) adoption - that judicial act of God by which the believer receives sonship and heirship (Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-7); and 8) sanctification - that progressive outworking of the spiritual life received in regeneration by which a believer is separated from sin and set apart unto God (Phil. 1:6; 1 Thes. 5:23-24; 2 Pet. 3:18); G) that this salvation results in union with Christ (Eph. 1:3; 2 Cor. 5:17); and H) that the Lord secures and guarantees the final salvation of all true believers and preserves them by his grace until the time when they will be glorified in heaven (Jn. 10^,27-29; Rom, 8:35-39; 2 Tim. 1:12),

ANGELOLOGY

We believe that God directly created all the angels (Psa. 148:2,5); A) that they were all sinless spirit beings (Luke 8:2; Heb. 1:14); B) that Lucifer sinned and was cast from heaven (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-15), being accompanied by a large number of the angels who followed him in his moral fall (Ezek. 28:16,18; Rev. 12:3-4); C) that these fallen, evil angels became demons, and now serve the unholy purposes of Satan (Eph. 6:12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Rev. 12:7), D) that Satan is a real and distinct personality (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7) whose unholy purpose is to oppose God's every desire and plan (Gen. 3;4-5; Mt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 11:14-15); E) that he is the adversary and accuser of Christians (1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 12:7; Rev. 12:20); F) that he has been eternally judged and condemned by the work of Christ (Jn . 12:31; 16:11), though still allowed to function in this world (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 2:2); and F) that his sentence will be carried out following the millennium resulting in his being cast forever into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).

We believe that there is an incalculable portion of God^'s original creation of angels who kept their first estate (Dan. 7:10; Mt. 26:53; Rev. 5:11); A) that these angels minister in heaven before the throne, 1) praising (Psa. 148:1-2), 2) worshiping (Psa. 29:1), and 3) serving God (Psa. 103:28; Heb. 1:7); and B) that they are always ready to perform his will, 1) whether in relation to Christ during his earthly ministry (Mt. 2:13, 19; 4;11; Lk. 22:43), 2) watching over and controlling the affairs of nations (Dan. 4:17; 10:21; 11:1), 3) ministering to the saints (Acts 27:23-24; I Tim. 5:21; Heb. 1:14) or 4) in connection with future judgments (Rev. 6:8-11, 16).

ECCLESIOLOGY

We believe that the New Testament sets forth the Church as having two aspects: universal and local; A) that the universal church, the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), is the whole spiritual body of true Christian believers of this age, Pentecost to the Rapture, regardless of location or circumstances (Gal. 3:26-27); B) that Spirit-baptism is the means of entrance (1 Cor. 12:13); C) that it is not to be confused in any sense with Israel (1 Cor. 10:32; Gal. 6:15-16) or the Kingdom of God (Col. 1:13; Rev. 3:21); D) that it is an organism rather than an organization (Eph. 2:11-22), with Christ being the head of the body (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18).

We believe that a local church is a group of immersed believers (Acts 2:41,47), organized and meeting regularly for the purpose of 1) teaching, 2) fellowship, 3) worship, 4) prayer (Acts 2:42), 5) assistance of the saints (Acts 2:44-45), 6) testimony (Acts 5:42), and 7) praise (Acts 2:47); A) that each church has a responsibility to proclaim the Gospel (Mt. 28:19-20); B) that a church is to be self-governing, with the congregation having the final authority (1 Cor. 5:1-6:5); C) that the two biblical offices in a church are pastor (1 Tim. 3:1-7) and deacon (1 Tim. 3:8-13); D) that the terms elder (Titus 1:5), bishop (Phil. 1:1), shepherd/pastor (Eph. 4:11), preacher (1 Tim. 2:7), and teacher (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2) all describe various phases of the same office; E) that a church is to observe regularly the two biblical ordinances: baptism (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 10:46-48) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-34); and F) that a church is to exercise church discipline as is necessary for the purpose of 1) restraining evil, 2) removing offenders (1 Cor. 5:5,7,11-13), 3) correcting offenses (Mt. 18:16-17; 2 Thes. 3:14-15), and 4) to maintain the purity and testimony of the church as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:1).

DISPENSATIONS

We believe that in order to properly understand the purpose of God through-out the ages one must realize that there are various distinguishable economies or dispensations (1 Cor. 1:25-26; Eph. 1:10; 3:2); A) that in each dispensation man has a stewardship or responsibility by which he is to live; and B) that there are seven individual dispensations: 1) innocence (Gen. 1:28-3:4), 2) conscience (Gen. 3:23-6:9), 3) civil government (Gen. 9:2-17), 4) promise (Gen. 12:1-3), 5) law (Ex. 20; Deut. 5:2-3), 6) grace Jn. 1:17; Eph. 2:15; 3:6), and 7) kingdom (Jer. 31:33-34); and C) that the most basic tenants of dispensationalism are 1) the fundamental, theological distinction between Israel and the church, 2) the consistent use of literal or normal interpretation of Scripture, and 3) the fact that the underlying purpose of God in the world is his glory.

ESCHATOLOGY

We believe A) that as a result of the fall all men will see physical death (Gen. 2:17; Heb. 9:27); B) that there is an intermediate state for believers (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-23), while unbelievers will continue to exist in Hades (2 Pet. 2:9); C) that the second coming of Christ is personal and visible (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; 1 Jn. 3:2); D) that it will take place in two distinct phases, the first of which is the rapture Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:13-18) and the second the revelation (Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:1-21); E) that the rapture is imminent and will occur before the tribulation when Christ meets Church saints in the air and takes them to be with him in heaven (1 Thes. 4:13-18); F) that the tribulation period which follows will be a literal seven year period of incomparable suffering and judgment (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 4-18); G) that it is followed by the coming of the Lord with his saints to the earth to establish the literal millennial kingdom (Dan. 2:44; Mt. 24:27-51; Rev. 19:11-16), 1) where Israel will be restored to its own land in a state of righteousness (Gen. 13:14-17; Isa.11 & 60) and 2) we shall rule with Christ (Rev. 20:4-6); H) that the resurrection of the just shall be completed following the tribulation and before the millennium when Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints are united with their glorified bodies (Isa. 26:19-20; Dan. 12:2; Rev. 20:4); I) that the unjust shall be resurrected following the millennium when they shall be united with their bodies to be judged and cast in the lake of fire for all eternity (1 Cor. 15:24; Rev. 20:11-15); and J) that following the millennium God will establish a new heaven and a new earth in which He will dwell with His people eternally (Rev. 21:1-22:5).

BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES

We believe that the historical teachings of Baptists are faithful to and consistent with New Testament principles and practice; though the use of the term Baptist does not guarantee affirmation of these; that while no New Testament believer called himself a Baptist, it is clear that Baptist distinctives were commonly held and practiced; and that the Baptist distinctives may be summarized as follows:

• Biblical Authority - The Bible is the only and sufficient authority for faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
• Regenerate Church Membership - The membership of a New Testament local church is to consist of only those who have openly 1) confessed Jesus Christ as Savior, 2) demonstrated a willingness to obey the teachings of the Bible, and 3) agree to the doctrine and standards of the local church (Acts 2:41,47).
• Autonomy of the Local Church - Each local church is sovereign in and of itself and cannot be controlled by any board, hierarchal system, or another church (1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 15) and has the responsibility for electing its own officers (Acts 6:1-7), sending out missionaries (Acts 13:1-4; 14:26-27), and exercising final authority in disciplinary matters (Mt. 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Thes. 3:14-15).
• Priesthood of Believers - Every ^"born again^" believer may pray without human intercessor directly to God through our High Priest Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16).
• Soul Liberty - Every man has the right to interpret the Scriptures, to hold, profess, and worship as he believes the Bible teaches (Jn.16:12-13; 1 Jn. 2:27); that these things are not to be forced upon any man; and that all must give account to the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10).
• Immersion and the Lord's Supper as the only two ordinances:
• Believer^'s Baptism - Baptism of a believer by immersion is a step of obedience which identifies him with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 2:41-42; Rom. 6:3-4); Lord’s Supper - This ordinance was instituted by the Lord as a memorial to his death which is to be practiced by believers until his return (Mt. 26:26-30; Lk. 21:19, 20: Acts 2:41-43; 1 Cor. 11:25-26). These ordinances are not to be administered or partaken of apart from the local church.
• Separation:
  • Of Church and State - Every believer should respect, sustain, and pray for civil authority (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-6; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-17), and should obey it so long as it does not cause violation to conscience or Scriptural convictions (Acts 5:29). There should be no organic union of church and state; but the state should protect, not dominate nor interfere with the affairs of the church (Mt. 22:21).
  • Of the Believer and Church from the world and from compromise (see below)

SEPARATION

We believe that the doctrine of biblical separation is crucial in order to maintain the purity and testimony of each believer and local church; that it is founded upon the very character of God whose holiness involves both majestic transcendence and moral purity (Isa. 6:1-5; 57:15; Psa. 99:1-3); that it is continually affirmed by example throughout the Old and New Testaments; that it is two-fold, from the world and unto^" the Lord; that this truth applies to believers personally (Rom. 12:12; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:15-16) and to churches and religious institutions organizationally; and that it extends to both unbelievers - liberals, modernists, neo-orthodox, cultists, etc. (Mt. 7:15; Rom. 16:17; 2 Cor. 6:14,17; 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Jn. 10-11) and to Christians who walk disorderly, i.e., are doctrinally careless or who are content to walk with those who deny the faith. (2 Thes. 3:6,14; 1 Tim. 1:18-20).