Scripture – Verbally inspired and inerrant in their original writings, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are of supreme and final authority in faith and practice, in life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Godhead – God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19).
Creation – The Genesis account of creation is to be taken as a literal historical account, having occurred over a period of six approximately-24-hour days, approximately 6,000 years ago (Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11). Likewise, Genesis chapters 1-11 stand as historical narrative, not allegory.
Jesus Christ – Begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, true God and true man (Matthew 1:18-25; John 10:30; Colossians 2:9).
Resurrection – Jesus resurrected physically, and ascended to Heaven bodily, where He presently serves as our High Priest and Advocate (1 Corinthians 15:14, 20-22; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 7:25).
Satan – Satan is personal and literal, the agent of the Fall, the prince and power of this world, and he shall be judged and punished eternally (Revelation 20:1-10).
Mankind – Mankind (male and female) were created in God’s image, sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, separation from God. All mankind are sinful from birth, and by choice are positively inclined to evil, and are therefore under just condemnation, without excuse or defense (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12). Man and woman were created on day 6 of Creation week, and are not a product of any evolutionary process.
Salvation – Jesus Christ was and is the perfect, substitutionary and efficacious sacrifice, such that all who believe in Him are justified (“not guilty”) on the basis of His shed blood (death), and that salvation is by grace through faith alone. The Gospel is universal, and all are commanded to be born again. (Mark 10:45; Romans 3:21-26; 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).
The Holy Spirit – The third Person of the Trinity personally indwells all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ and are born again, making all such persons children of God, eternally. (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; John 5:24).
End Times – Pre-tribulational, imminent, bodily resurrection/gathering together of the church (all past and present believers in Christ), and the pre-millennial earthly reign of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-16).
Local Church – A New Testament church is a regenerated body of baptized believers, assembled for worship, service, and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. (Acts 1:8, 2:38-47).
Church Leadership – God, in His Word, has appointed two offices for the local church, pastor and deacon. (1 Timothy 2:12, 3; Titus 1).
Church Ordinances - Baptism and Lord's Supper
Baptism – Immersion is the only form of baptism revealed and commanded in Scripture, for those already born again. Only those who are old enough to believe for themselves should be baptized. Baptism has no saving power, and is an outward sign of a professing believer. (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5).
Lord’s Supper – Communion is a memorial of the death of Christ, and only those who have been saved through faith and who are walking in obedient fellowship with Him should partake. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32).
Sanctification – All believers are called to a life of holiness, though sinless perfection is not possible this side of glory (1 Peter 3:15-16). Separation is a key doctrine largely ignored or minimized by the church today. Three aspects of separation are understood:
- Moral – The believer is to adopt Biblical and God-honoring standards in moral and ethical conduct. The Bible defines right and wrong for Godly behavior, as exemplified in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20).
- Personal – The believer must be faithfully responsible, under the teachings of Christian liberty and conscience, to develop Godly standards in preference and behavior that acknowledge the higher convictions of the Christian faith, avoiding the error of worldliness (Romans 14:5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16).
- Ecclesiastical – Standing in opposition to ecumenicalism and corporate ministry outside of those of like faith, separation is a key element in protecting the testimony and reputation of the local church (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Peter 2).
