CONSIDER

The Scriptures

 

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and has God as its author, salvation for its end, and is the absolute truth without any error.  It is comprised of sixty-six books, the Old and New Testaments, of which every word is pure.  The Bible is the divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life.  

 

We believe that the absolute, sole, authoritative rule for faith and practice is the perfect, preserved word of God, which, for English speaking people, is the Authorized King James Version, and believe we find within it the certainty of the words of truth. (2 Tim.3:16-17, 2 Pet.1:2, Prov.30:5-6, Luke 4:4, Jn.17:17, Rom.10:8, 17, Mt.24:35, 1 Pet.1:23-25, Heb.4:12, Proverbs 22:20-21)

 

The True God

 

We believe that the Scriptures teach there is one, and only one, living and true God, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; worthy of all possible honour, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the work of redemption.  (Deut.6:4-5, Rom.3:30, 1 Tim.2:5, Ps.42:2, John 6:69, 2 Cor.3:3, Heb.9:14, Jn.17:3)

 

The Fall of Man

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; therefore, under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.  (Ecc.7:29, Rom.5:12, Gen.6:12, Eph.2:3, Rom.3:23, Job 9:20, Eze.18:20, Jn.3:17-18, Gal.3:22)

 

The Way of Salvation

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who according to the will of the Father, assumed our nature, yet without sin; and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior. (Jn.3:17, 4:42, 10:9, Acts 4:12, 16:30-31, Rom.1:16, 5:10, Eph.1:13, 1 Tim.1:15, Titus 2:11, 2 Tim.3:15)

 

Of Repentance

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God, thereby; being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. (Luke 5:32, 2 Pet.3:9, Acts 3:19, 8:22, 17:30, Luke 24:47, Mark 6:12, Rom.2:4, 2 Cor.7:9-10, Luke 13:5)

 

Of Sanctification

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means – especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer; and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties. (Is.5:16, Acts 26:18, 1 Cor.1:30, 6:11, Rom.15:16, John 17:17, Heb.2:10-11, Eph.5:25-27, 1 Pet.1:2)

 

Christian Baptism

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; this ordinance shows forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior and our commitment to walk in newness of life.  This emblem is an outward testimony as to work accomplished by the Holy Ghost’s baptizing of the believer into the body of Christ at salvation. Christian baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. (Mt.28:19-20, Acts 2:41, 8:12, 18:8, Rom.6:3-4, 1 Cor.12:13, Col.2:11-13, Eph.4:4-6, Gal.3:27-28)

 

The Lord’s Supper

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord’s Supper is a provision of bread and unfermented grape juice, as symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood, partaken of by believers, in commemoration of the suffering and death of their Lord and the promise of His return; showing their faith and participation in the merits of His sacrifice, and their hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead; its observance to be preceded by faithful self-examination. (Mt.26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Cor.11:23-32, Heb.7:22-25, 9:24-26)

 

Of the Return of Christ

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth will be both physical and literal.  His return will be in two distinct phases separated by a seven-year period called the Tribulation.  In the first phase of His Coming, Jesus will call His saints (both dead and alive) from the earth to meet Him in the air.  At that time, He will escort His Bride to heaven to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.  The second phase culminates in Jesus Christ returning to dwell on earth for a period of one thousand years.  During this time, he sets up His kingdom and throne in the city of Jerusalem on Mount Zion.  At the end of the one-thousand-year Millennium there will be a final battle between Christ and Satan.  Christ’s victory will result in Satan being cast into the Lake of Fire. (John 14:1-3, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thes.4:14-18, 2 Thes.2:1-4, 1 Cor.15:20-24, Luke 17:34-36, Rov.20:2, 7, 10)

 

Of the Judgment of Believers

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that there are two resurrections where God’s judgments are manifested. The Judgment Seat of Christ is where saved believers appear to give account of their works, both good and evil, that follow them to heaven. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment to determine salvation, for all who appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ are born again and are judged as to their works of service to the Savior. (Heb.9:27, Ps.7:11, 1 Cor.4:4, Rom.14:10-12, 2 Cor.5:10-11, 1 Cor.3:11-15, 1 Pet.1:17-21, 1 Thes.5:9-10)

 

Of the Judgment of The Lost

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that at the end of the Millennial reign of Christ death and hell will give up the dead for final judgment and retribution before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment; that these wicked will be adjudged to sorrow and conscious torment in the Lake of Fire forever, and that this judgment will fix the final state of all unsaved men without remedy for eternity. (Rev.20:11-15, 21:8, 22:12, Mt.25:41, 46, 2 Thes.1:7-10, Dan.12:2, Jude 1:6-7, Ps.9:17, Mt.10:28, 23:33)

            

A Gospel Church

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; bonded together for work, worship, mutual edification, and the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ (baptism & Lord's Supper); governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are pastors (elders, bishops), and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus. (Eph.1:20-23, Acts 2:41, 47, 8:12, 11:26, 14:22, 16:5, Gal.2:20, 1 Cor.4:17, 1 Tim.3:15, Phil.1:27, Col.2:6-7)

 

Of Faith

 

We believe the Scriptures teach that faith, as an evangelical grace wrought by the Spirit through the Word of God, is the medium through which Christ is received by the soul as its Sacrifice and Savior.  It is an assent of the mind and a consent of the heart consisting mainly of belief and trust; the testimony of God is implicitly accepted and believed as true, while Christ is unreservedly trusted for salvation; by it the believer is brought into vital relations with God, freely justified, and lives as seeing Him who is invisible. (Luke 7:50, Rom.3:22, Eph.2:8, Acts 15:9, Gal.3:26, Rom.10:17, 2 Tim.3:15, Rom.10:8-10, Gal.2:16, Rom.5:1)

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Of Dispensations

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We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. (Gen 1:28; 1 Cor 9:17; 2 Cor 3:9-18; Gal 3:13-25; Eph 1:10; Eph 3:2-10; Col 1:24-25, 27; Rev 20:2-6)

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