Statement of Faith Introduction

We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, given by the Holy Ghost, and are the only infallible rule of faith and practice. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (Psalm 19:7–11. John 10:35. 2 Timothy 3:16. 2 Peter 1:20–21).

 

The Godhead
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, equal in power and glory, of one essence and undivided. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Deuteronomy 6:4. Matthew 28:19. John 1:1–2, 14:16–17, 26. 2 Corinthians 13:14).

 

The Person of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Word and Son of God, truly God and truly Man, conceived by the Holy Ghost as Son, born of the virgin Mary, yet without sin. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (Matthew 1:20–23. Luke 1:35. John 1:14. Colossians 2:9. Hebrews 4:15).

 

The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that all mankind fell in Adam, that man is by nature dead in trespasses and sins, and utterly unable to save or sanctify himself by any work, effort, or merit of his own. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Genesis 3:1–7. Psalm 51:5. John 3:6. Romans 3:23, 5:12, 5:18–19. Ephesians 2:1–3).

 

The Cross: Atonement, Judgment, His Death
We believe that the heart of God’s purpose is revealed in the Cross of Christ. At the Cross, the Lord Jesus bore God’s righteous judgment against sin and the curse of the law in our stead, offering Himself a once‑for‑all sacrifice and perfect atonement. "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (Isaiah 53:4–7, 10–11. Romans 3:24–26. 2 Corinthians 5:21. Galatians 3:13. Hebrews 9:11–15, 10:10–14).

 

We believe that at the Cross God judicially judged the indwelling principle of sin—the old man in Adam—and that the Lord Jesus, by His once‑for‑all offering, vicariously atoned for our sins, so that the believer’s history in the flesh is judicially brought to an end in the death of Christ and the dominion of sin is broken, though its presence remains (Romans 7:23, 7:25); it remains powerless only as faith abides in Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified. "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6–7). Remaining in this crucified position—reckoning oneself dead indeed unto sin and alive unto God—is contingent on living by the faith of the Son of God. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Romans 6:3–5, 6:11–14, 8:1–4. Galatians 2:-19–20. Colossians 2:11–15).

 

Salvation by Grace Through Faith Alone
We believe that sinners are justified before God solely on the ground of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, received by grace through faith, apart from works, law‑keeping, or religious performance. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Romans 3:24–28, 4:4–5, 5:1. Galatians 2:16. Ephesians 2:8–9. Titus 3:4–7 ).

 

We believe that the same Cross that saves is the only ground of sanctification; the believer grows not by self‑effort, but by abiding in the finished work of Christ and yielding to the Holy Ghost. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him” (John 15:4–5. Romans 6:11, 8:13–14. Galatians 2:20–21, 3:2–3, 5:16, 5:24–25. Colossians 2:6. Hebrews 10:10, 10:14).

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The Holy Ghost and the Christian Walk
We believe that the Holy Ghost is a divine Person of the Godhead, given to indwell every true believer, to glorify Christ, to apply the power of the Cross, and to enable a walk in holiness and service. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (John 14:16–17, 16:13–14. Romans 8:9–11, 8:13–16. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19. Galatians 5:16).

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We believe that all true Christian obedience flows from faith in the crucified and risen Christ, and that any effort to live the Christian life in the strength of the flesh is contrary to the gospel. "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10). "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Romans 1:17, 8:3–4. Galatians 3:3, 5:4–5, 6:14. Philippians 3:3).

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The Church
We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all who are born of the Spirit and united to the Son through faith in His Cross and resurrection. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13. Ephesians 1:22–23, 2:13–22, 4:4–6. Colossians 1:18).

 

We believe that local assemblies are called to gather around the person and finished work of Christ, to preach "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified,” to practice mutual edification, and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified” (Acts 2:42. 1 Corinthians 2:2. Ephesians 4:1–3, 4:11–16. Hebrews 10:24–25).

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Ordinances
We believe that the Lord has given one continuing ordinance to His Church: the Lord’s Supper. In Scripture, baptism into Christ refers to the believer’s spiritual union with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection, effected by the Spirit through faith, and not to any ceremonial rite (Hebrews 6:1–6). "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death…” (Romans 6:3–4. 1 Corinthians 12:13. Colossians 2:11–12). The Lord’s Supper is the continual remembrance of His once‑for‑all sacrifice, proclaiming the Lord’s death till He come, and calling the Church back again and again to the Cross as its sole ground. "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (Matthew 26:26–29. Luke 22:19–20. 1 Corinthians 11:26).

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The Lord’s Supper is the continual remembrance of His once‑for‑all sacrifice, proclaiming the Lord’s death till He come, and calling the Church back again and again to the Cross as its sole ground. "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

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Future Things
We believe in the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the eternal blessedness of the redeemed, and the everlasting punishment of the lost. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout” (Matthew 25:31–46. John 5:28–29. Acts 1:9–11. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10. Revelation 20:11–15, 21:1–4).

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We believe that in that day it will be manifest that the wisdom and power of God have been revealed wholly and finally in the Lamb that was slain, and that all true faith in time and eternity rests upon the blood and Cross of Christ. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" (Revelation 5:12, 7:9–10, 12:11, 13:8, 21:22–23).

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The Centrality of the Cross
We confess that in all matters of doctrine, experience, and practice, the Cross of Christ must remain the single and exclusive object of faith. We reject every form of self‑help, moralism, or religious striving that displaces the sufficiency of His finished work. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:23–24, 2:2. Galatians 6:14. Philippians 3:7–10. Colossians 1:20, 2:13–15).