Statement of Faith
God
I believe there is only one true and living God- the Creator of all, who has always been and who will always be.
I believe that the Godhead is made up of three persons equal in power and perfection while distinct in their roles- the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost.
(Deuteronomy 6:4, I Timothy 1:17, John 1:1-3)
The Bible
I believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired, living Word of God and is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice.
I believe that the King James Bible is the preserved Word of God and use it exclusively personally and when ministering in English.
(Psalm 12:6+7, II Timothy 3:16+17, I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:19-21)
Sin and Salvation
I believe that all men are born with an inherited sin nature from our common ancestor Adam and that because of this nature man chooses to sin. The penalty for sin is death. Only a perfect sacrifice could be accepted to atone for this sin. Man is not perfect and could not pay the price for his own sin, therefore man is condemned already to hell in a physical location and in separation from perfect God. Because He is holy, God could not overlook sin. Because He loves us, He is not willing that any should perish. To redeem His fallen creation, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and chose to die on the cross, paying fully the debt of our sin and rising again on the third day.
I believe that salvation is a gift given by grace and received through faith, not earned by works.
I believe that once saved, a Christian cannot lose their salvation, however this is not to be used a license to sin.
(Romans 3:10-28, Romans 5:6-12, Romans 10:9-13, Revelations 20:11-15, Acts 16:30+31, Ephesians 2:8+9, II Peter 3:9)
The Church
I believe there is one church body with Christ as its Head, made up of all those who are saved from any nation, tribe, and tongue who gather to be edified in the Word of God and to serve as directed in the Bible.
I believe the local church is a self-governing body of believers that should be independent from any interference of hierarchy, individuals, and organizations.
(I Corinthians 12:12+13, Ephesians 1:22+23, Ephesians 4:4-6)
Baptism
I believe that baptism is done out of obedience to God, after salvation. It is a full water immersion symbolizing identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. While this action is done in obedience to God and identification with the local church, it does not have any saving power.
(Acts 8:35-38, I Corinthians 1:17)
The Lords Supper
I believe that the Lords supper is to be done as Jesus commanded in remembrance of Jesus, His death on the cross to pay the price for our sins and looking ahead to His return. The elements of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are symbolic only.
(I Corinthians 11:23-29)
Missions
I believe that the great commission was clearly given to the church. We are responsible to “go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”. This commission is given to all believers and is carried out both locally and overseas.
(Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 10:14+15)