Doctrine

Section 1. The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible is inspired by God, (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 opinions should be tried.

(Explanatory)

By “THE HOLY BIBLE,” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written, does not contain and convey the word of God, but it is the very WORD OF GOD.

By “INSPIRED,” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.

(a) II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16, Acts 28:25.

(b) Psalms 119:160; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; Luke 24:25-27.

Section 2. The True God

We believe that there is (a) one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, (b) inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love, and (c) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, 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.

(a) Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24.

(b) Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11, I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33, Mark 12:30.

Section 3. The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, (a) equal with God the Father and (b) God the Son, and (c) of the same nature; (d) that He was active in the creation, (e) that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; (f) that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; (g) that He bears witness to the Truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; (h) that He is the agent in the New Birth; (i) that He heals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer; (j) that every believer is indwelt and baptized by the Holy Spirit at conversion into the Body of Christ and that the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit as he submits to Him; (k) that the Holy Spirit is Sovereign in the bestowment of spiritual gifts; (l) and that the “sign-gifts” such as speaking in tongues, healing the sick, and foretelling of events have ceased, having fulfilled their function in authenticating first century Christianity.

(a) John 14:16-17

(b) Matt. 28:19

(d) Gen. 1:1-3

(e) II Thess. 2:7

(f) John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32

(h) John 3:5-6

(i) Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Romans 8:14

(j) I Cor. 3:16, 6:19; Eph. 5:18

(k) I Cor. 12:4-11

(l) I Cor. 13:8-11

Section 4. Sanctification

We believe that sanctification has a two-fold meaning, (a) that of the 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, and (b) that of the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the word of God, experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory over the old nature, a work which will be completed when the believer stands in Christ’s Presence.

(a) I Cor. 1:30; Hebrews. 10:10, 14

(b) Col. 1:26-28; John 17:17; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 3:18

Section 5. The Devil or Satan

We believe that Satan was once (a) holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors, 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. (d) We hold him to be man’s great tempter, (e) the enemy of God and His Christ, (f) the accuser of the saints, (g) the author of all false religions, the chief power of the present apostasy; (h) the lord of the anti-christ, 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, the place prepared for him and his angels.

(a) Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17

(b) Rev. 12:9, Jude 6, II Peter 2:4, Eph. 2:2, John 14:30

(d) I Peter 5:8

(e) Zech. 1:3, I John 3:8; Matt, 13:25, 37-39; Luke 22:3-4

(f) Revelation 12:10

(g) II Cor. 11: 13-15; Mark 13:2l, 22

(h) I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22

(i) Rev. 33:13-14; II Thess. 2:8-11

(j) Rev. 19:11, 16, 20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3

(k) Rev. 20:10; Matthew 25:41.

Section 6. The Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, (a) that it is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively, (b) that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness, (c) that man’s creation 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.”

(a) Gen. 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3

(b) Gen. 1:26-27; I Cor. 11:7

(d) Gen. 1:11; Gen.1:24

Section 7. 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 by constraint, but by choice; (d) therefore, all mankind is under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

(a) Gen. 3:1-6, 24

(b) Romans 5:12, 5:19

(d) Romans 1:32, Romans 1:20, 28; Galatians 3:22

Section 8. The Virgin Birth

We believe (a) that Jesus Christ, as the begotten of the Holy Spirit, was born in a miraculous manner. (b) He was born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and (c) that He is both the Son of God and God the Son.

(a) Genesis 3:15

(b) Isa. 7:14, Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35, Mark 1:1; John 1:14

Section 9. The Atonement for Sin

We believe (a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (b) through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the Divine Law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; (c) His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; (d) having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with Divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.

(a) Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24

(b) John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7

(d) I Cor. 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 9:12-15; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:2

Section 10. 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 men, 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, and (f) that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.

(a) John 3:3

(b) II Cor. 5:17

(d) II Peter 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:11; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13

(e) John 3:8; John 1:12-13

(f) Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9

Section 11. The Freeness of Salvation

We believe (a) in God’s election grace, (b) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel, (c) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith, and (d) that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, (e) which involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

(a) I Thess. 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30

(b) Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37

(d) Isa. 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Timothy 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; John 5:40

(e) John 3:18; John 3:16

Section 12. 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 is imputed to us.

(a) Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:9

(b) Titus 3:5-7; Romans 1:17; Heb. 2:4; Gal. 3:11, Romans 4:1-8

Section 13. Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are (a) solemn obligations and (b) also inseparable graces, (c) wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God. (d) Thereby, being deeply convicted by our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy, (e) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

Acts 20:20
Mark 1:15
Acts 2:27-38
Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7
Luke 12:8; Rom. 9:11

Section 14. The Church

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, (b) observing the ordinances of Christ, (c) governed by His laws, and (d) exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word, (e) that its Scripturally designated officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. (f) We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples. Second, to baptize them. Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order. (g) We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organization and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit, (h) that it is Scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel, that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation, and that (i) on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

(a) Acts 2:41

(b) Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 1:2

(d) Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4; 8:11

(e) Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28

(f) Matthew 28:19-20

(g) Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Peter 5:1-4

(h) Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1, Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32

(i) I Cor. 6:1-3; 5:11-13

Section 15. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is (a) the believer’s 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, 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. (e) The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus, that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming, and is preceded always by solemn self-examination.

(a) Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt.3:16

(b) Matthew 28:19

(d) Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20

(e) I Cor. 11:23-28; Romans 8:32

Section 16. The Perseverance of the Saints

We believe (a) that such only real believers will endure unto the end, (b) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors, (c) that a special Providence watches over their welfare, and (d) that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept saved forever.

(a) John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21-23

(b) I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-20

(d) I Peter 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; John 16:8

Section 17. The Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that (a) there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked, (b) that the righteous are only justified through faith in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God so they are truly righteous in His esteem; (c) while all such as continue in unbelief and without repentance are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; (d) and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting joy of the saved in the paradise of heaven and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in literal hell.

(a) Mal. 3:18; Gen 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; Proverbs. 11:31

(b) Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29

(d) Proverbs. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34, 41, John 8:21; Luke 9:26

Section 18. Civil Government

We believe that civil government is (a) of Divine appointment for the interests 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 the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.

(a) Rom. 13:17; II Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:21-22

(b) Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14

(d) Matt. 10:28; 23:10; Rev. 10:6; Phil 2:10-11; Psalms 72:11

Section 19. The Resurrection, Return of Christ, and Related Events

We believe in the personal, imminent, pretribulational, and premillennial return of Jesus Christ for His believers. We believe that at the end of the seven-year tribulation He will come to earth with His saints in power and glory to establish His Millennial Kingdom and reign for a thousand years. We believe in, and accept, the Sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value:

(a) The Bodily Resurrection

Matt. 28:6-8; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-8

(b) The Ascension

Acts 1:9; 1:11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21

Hebrews 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; 5:9-10; 4:14-16; Romans 8:34

(d) The Change of the Living in Christ at the Rapture

I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21

(e) The Second Coming

John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; Matt. 24:27

(f) The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead

I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44, 52

(g) On the Throne of David

Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30

(h) His Reign on Earth

I Cor. 15:25; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 11:4-5; Psalms 72:8; Revelation 20:1-6

Section 20. Family Statement

We believe marriage was planned by God, consisting of one man and one woman, and that any other arrangement is unbiblical. We believe homosexuality is always unacceptable and, therefore, does not constitute a family or marriage. We believe God’s design is for a married couple to never be separated by divorce. We believe men and women are of equal value and standing in God’s sight, but by God’s design the man is to be head of the home. We believe it is the primary responsibility of parents to raise their children in all the counsel and Word of God, using discipline when necessary. We believe that single believers are to marry only in the Lord.

Marriage – Genesis 1:27, 2:18-25, Ephesians 5:22-31, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 3:18-19, 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Child-raising – Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:20-21, Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15, Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Homosexuality – Romans 1:24-28; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13

Equal Yoke Only – 1 Corinthians 7:39, II Corinthians 6:14-17, Ezra 9:11-12, Nehemiah 13:23-30, Joshua 23:11-13

Section 21. Abortion

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion for any reason is murder and is unacceptable in God’s eyes. (Exodus 20:13, Psalm 51:5, 139:14-16, Luke 1:44)