Love God. Love People. Make Disciples.
Doctrines & Beliefs
Doctrine is important because it is foundational to a faithful Christian life, providing a correct understanding of God and His will, which then shapes believers' actions and spiritual maturity. Doctrine protects the church from false teachings, provides a coherent framework for belief, and promotes spiritual growth and stability by anchoring faith in biblical truth.
The word translated “doctrine” means “instruction, especially as it applies to lifestyle application.” In other words, doctrine is teaching imparted by an authoritative source. In the Bible, the word always refers to spiritually related fields of study. The Bible says of itself that it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We are to be careful about what we believe and present as truth. First Timothy 4:16 says, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Biblical doctrine helps us understand the will of God for our lives. Biblical doctrine teaches us the nature and the character of God (Psalm 90:2; 97:2; John 4:24), the path of salvation through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9–10), instruction for the church (1 Corinthians 14:26; Titus 2:1–10), and God’s standard of holiness for our lives (1 Peter 1:14–17; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20). When we accept the Bible as God’s Word to us (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21), we have a solid foundation for our doctrine. Biblical doctrine is that which incorporates the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and draws conclusions based on that which seems most closely aligned with the character of our unchanging God (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8).
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was (a) written by men controlled by the Holy
Spirit; (b) that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and (c) therefore
is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the
will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by
which all human conduct, creeds, and options should be tried.
(II Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:89)
The True God
We believe that there is (a) one, and only, living and true God: (b) that in the
unity of the Godhead there are three personalities the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in
the great work of redemption.
Exodus 20:2-3; Genesis 17:1; Mathew 28:19; John 15:16
We believe in the perfect holiness and justice, infinite wisdom and measureless
power of God the Father. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs
of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all
that come to Him through Jesus Christ.
We believe in Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten Son, who was born of the
virgin Mary and Who was sinless in His life. We believe that by death on the cross He
made atonement for the sins of the whole world. We believe that He arose from the
dead, that He ascended into heaven, that He is now interceding for His people, and that
He will personally return to receive His own.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person (a) equal with God the Father
and God the Son and (b) of the same nature; (c) that He was active in the creation; (d)
that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose
if fulfilled; (e) that He convicts of sin, of judgment and righteousness; (f) that He bears
witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; and (g) that He is the
agent in the new birth; (h) that He seals, baptizes, endures, guides, teaches, witnesses,
sanctifies and helps the believer.
We believe that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness and temperance) is the evidence of His dwelling rather than
the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.
John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:1-3;
II Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; John 3:5-6;
Ephesians 1:13-14; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Romans 8:14; I Peter 1:2
We believe that sanctification has a twofold meaning; (a) that of setting apart of
things, days or persons specifically for God, and that the believer at the time of his
regeneration is so set apart by God the Father; (b) the progressive work of the Holy
Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God, expresses the power of the
indwelling Christ in holiness of living and victory over the old nature, which work will be
completed when the believer stands in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Devil or Satan
We believe that Satan was once (a) holy, and enjoyed heavenly honor but
through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and (b) drew after him a host of
angels; that he is now (c) the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy
god of this world. We hold him to be (d) man’s great tempter, (e) the enemy of God and
Christ, (f) the accuser of the saints, (g) the author of all false religions, the chief power
back of the present apostasy; (h) the Lord of the Antichrist, and (i) the author of all
powers of darkness – destined however (j) to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son,
and (k) to the judgment of an eternal justice in Hell, a place prepared for him and his
angels.
Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2;
John 14:30; I Peter 5:8; I Thessalonians 3:5; Zechariah 1:3; I John 3:8;
Revelation 13:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; Revelation 20:10;
Revelation 19:11,16,20; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:1-3; II Corinthians 11:13-15;
Mark 13:21-22; I John 4: 3; II John 7; Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41
The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and (a) that it is to be accepted
literally, and no allegorically or figuratively, (b) that man was created directly in God’s
own image and after His own likeness; (c) that man’s creations was not a matter of
evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable
periods of time from lower to higher forms; (d) that all animal and vegetable life was
made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only after their
kind. We believe that the “days” of Genesis, Chapter One, are to be understood as solar
days of twenty-four hour duration.
Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3;
Genesis 1:26-27; I Corinthians 11:7; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:21-23;
Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:24
The Fall of Man
We believe (a) that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker,
but (b) by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, (c) in
consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but by
choice; and (d) therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-16, 24; Romans 5:12, 19; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 1:18;
Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:32; Romans 1:20, 28; Galatians 3:22
Grace in the New Creation
We believe (a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; (b) that the
new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus: (c) that it is instantaneous and not a
process; (d) that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a
partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; (e) that the
new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture,
not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy
Spirit in connection with divine Truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the
Gospel; (f) that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and
newness of life.
John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33
II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13
John 3:8; John 1:12-13; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9
Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as
believe in Him is justification; (a) that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift
of eternal life on principles of righteousness (b) that it is bestowed not in consideration
of any works of righteousness which we have done but solely through faith in the
Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness I imputed to us. We believe that justification
bestows to the believer an eternal security; that having been born, by faith, into the
family of God neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be
able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:1, 9
Titus 3:5-7; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Romans 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:30
The Church
We believe that according to its New Testament usage the term “church” has a
two-fold application: (a) that as an organism the “church” is a company of two people
called out from the world, separated from sin, belonging to God, worshipers of God,
redeemed by, belonging to, and controlled by Christ, a people by whom God is glorified,
the pillar and ground of the Truth, and a monument of the manifold wisdom of God. We
believe (b) that as an organization (local aspect) the church may be defined as that
smaller company of regenerated persons who in any given community unite themselves
voluntarily together in accordance with the principles, precepts, and purposes of Christ,
as revealed in the New Testament.
John 15:19; Acts 15:14; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 3:3-12;
Acts 8:1; Acts 11:22; Acts 14:27; Acts 15:3
Baptism and The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is (a) the believers immersion in water; (b) in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; (c) to show forth in a solemn and
beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our
death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (d) that in Scriptural order baptism precedes
the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of
Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Supper is a (e) memorial service in which the elements remind us of
the love of God in Christ Jesus who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for
us all; that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and always by
self examination. We believe that the new birth and believer’s baptism precede the
privileges of the Lord’s Supper.
Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 3:16;
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20
I Corinthians 11:23-28; Romans 8:32
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is (a) of divine appointment, for the interest and
good order of human society; (b) that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously
honored and obeyed; (c) except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ; (d) Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and coming Prince of the kings of the
earth. We believe in the separation of Church and State, and in full religious liberty.
Romans 13:1-7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1;
I Peter 2:13-14; Acts 5:29; Acts 5:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew
23:10; Revelation 10:6; Philippians 2:10-11
Last Things
We believe in the imminent, personal bodily, pre-millennial return of our Lord
Jesus Christ, applicable to the (a) rapture of the Church (His coming for His people) and
(b) to His coming in glory to take vengeance on them that know not God.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 1:7-10
We also believe in the following related events:
a. the bodily resurrection
Matthew 28: 6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16: 6
b. the ascension
Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Revelation 3:21
c. The High Priesthood
Hebrews 3:6; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; and 5:9-10
d. the resurrection of the dead in Christ
I Thessalonians 4:16; I Corinthians 15:42-44; I Corinthians 15:52
e. the translation of the living in Christ
I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thessalonians 4:17
f. Christ’s reign on the throne of David
Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30; I Corinthians 15:25 Revelation 20: 4-6
a. the resurrection of the unsaved dead
Revelation 20:4-6
b. the Judgment Seat of Christ for believer’s examination
II Corinthians 5:10
c. the Great White Throne Judgment for examination of the unsaved
Revelation 20:11-15