What We Believe

We believe that the Bible is the complete, inerrant and inspired word of God, and that it is all-sufficient for the purpose God intended (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:3, 21).  There are several good modern translations that have been developed by committees that are based upon the earliest manuscripts. These are more reliably accurate than paraphrased versions. But even the most favorite translations have their faults and require study to achieve an accurate understanding (2 Timothy 2:15). When taken in their entirety, each translation can help a person diligently seek and find God’s will.  We believe that there is no place within the body of Christ for teaching the doctrines or practices of men (Psalm 127:1; Matthew 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7).

We believe that Jesus is the one and only begotten Son of God (Matthew 16:16) and that He came to “take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) and was “foreknown before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20).  He was in the beginning with God and was in fact God. (John 1:1) He took on flesh and became human, died on the cross, sacrificing Himself  to pay the debt of sin for all mankind. (Hebrews 2:9-18) He is divine, not a creation of God but a part of the Godhead. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born into this world through a virgin named Mary.  He lived a life without sin (Hebrews 4:15, 9:14) and now sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 8:1, 10:12) where He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34).

We believe that Jesus built only one church, (Matthew 16:18) and that His church is not to be divided, or denominational in nature (Ephesians 4:4-6). The church is the Kingdom of God set up without human hands (Daniel 2:44). The LORD adds to Christ’s church, His body, (Acts 2:47) those who believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Jesus is the Christ, are baptized into His Name for the remission of sins and are walking in the light (Matthew 16:18; John 8:24; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Acts 2:38, 47; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 1:7). It is the church’s responsibility to obey the commands of Christ and to be a pillar and support of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

We believe that one cannot be in Christ and outside the fellowship of the body of Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16).

Sin is unrighteousness (1 John 5:17).  Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).  Sin, then, is the breaking of the law of God whether we know that law or not (Romans 3:19).  Sin and its punishment, death, came into the world through the first man, Adam. (Romans 5:12)Now “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Sin is not inherited, but is the willful action of the individual. (James 1:14, 15) To be restored to life and be reconciled to God, we needed a Savior, Jesus (Acts 5:30, 31; 13:23).  Jesus paid our debt of sin with his death (1 John 2:2) and the salvation we have is the free gift of God. We must, however, accept it through faithful obedience and live faithfully in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 5:15-19; 6:17-18; Ephesians 2:8-10).

We believe the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19) as He guides and directs the child of God through the Word (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:3). The Holy Spirit is a gift from God at baptism (Acts 2:38) who helps us in our weaknesses  as we pray to the Father (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit strengthens our relationship with God and helps us understand the ways of God (Ephesians 3:16-19) as He leads us (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18). The Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14).

We do not believe, however, in the direct operation of the Holy Spirit that would result in the imparting of miraculous gifts to the Christian today.  Rather, those miraculous gifts were limited to the apostles and those Christians on whom the apostles’ hands were laid for that very purpose which provided a testimony of the truthfulness of that which was being taught concerning the establishment of Christ’s Church (Hebrews 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10).

We believe that God instituted marriage to be between one man and one woman and pronounced that relationship “very good” (Genesis 2:27, 31).  Since the marriage union made a male and a female “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24) and since the marriage union is compared to the relationship between God and His people (Ezekiel 16:32; Hosea) and between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22-33) it is a very special union that is to remain intact until they are separated by death for God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16).

We believe that when a man and a woman marry, regardless of why they do so, they are married and are held to the high standards by God.

We believe that worship is our praise, adoration and expression of gratitude to God. We believe that worship is to be in spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). Singing in worship to God is  sung a cappella by the entire congregation. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). This eliminates praise teams, choirs, and bands in worship.

We believe worship is to be conducted “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

We believe communion (the Lord’s Supper) is to be taken on the first day of each week (Acts 20:7). 

We believe that giving of our means is to be done on the first day of the week in accordance with how a person has purposed in his heart and how that person has prospered. (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-3, 12-15).

We believe teaching God’s Word is a part of the worship. Sermons must be solidly founded on the Bible.

We believe that prayers, supplications, and petitions are a part of our worship to God.

We believe men must lead both in the home and the church by following the teaching and example given by Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:16; Matthew 20:25-28; Ephesians 5:22-31; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:1, 2, 7). We believe the New Testament teaches that men are to be the leaders in the church. Women leading or serving in the worship service is not authorized in the Scriptures. (1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Corinthians 14:34-35). 

We believe women are to teach and train younger women (Titus 2:3-5) and children (2 Timothy 1:5) and have a reputation for doing good works, showing hospitality and being virtuous (1 Timothy 5:10; Proverbs 31:10-31).

We believe that elders in the local congregation have Scriptural authority over that congregation in matters of expedience and that the congregation should have input regarding those who serve as elders (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Each man is to be fully qualified as set forth in Scripture.

We believe that baptism is a burial in water unto the remission of sins, and is therefore necessary for salvation (Romans 6:3, 4; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). There is no other point in one’s initial obedience where forgiveness is received. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that one be baptized (immersed in water) to be saved. Else, one is not in Christ and is still in sins.  While there are clearly other Biblical steps necessary (Hear-Romans 10:17; Believe-John 8:24; Repent-Acts 2:38; Confess-Romans 10:9-10), it is when one emerges from the waters of baptism that one is united with Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27), and receives the benefits of Christ’s shed blood on the cross. Baptism is not a work, but rather an act of faithful obedience. (Mark 16:16)