OTHER ARTICLES OF THE FAITH
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe God, the Holy Spirit, inspired every word in the original manuscripts of the sixty-six books of the Bible and are, therefore, without error.
We further believe that God has providentially preserved the Scriptures, since that time.
Psalm 12:6-7; Matthew 24:35
We believe the King James Version (A.V. 1611) to be the book God has chosen to preserve His Word in, without error, for the English-speaking people.
We believe the King James Version of the Scriptures is the sole Authority of our faith and practice.
I Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21
MAN
We believe that God created man from the ground and was perfect in the image of God, without sin. However, by willful disobedience to Gods' command, man fell from this image, thereby being separated from his Creator.
God then immediately set up a plan for the redemption of His creation, and would have all men to be saved, should they submit to His plan.
Genesis 1:26, 2:7,16-17; 3:15; Isaiah 59:2; II Peter 3:9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12
SALVATION
We believe the only means of salvation, in this age, is by the grace of God, through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ— That is: His "substitutionary" death on the cross, burial, and bodily resurrection.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; I John 5:11-12; John 3:36; 5:24; I Corinthians 15:3-4
We believe those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, in the age of grace, are eternally secure without a threat of losing their salvation, forever.
John 10:28-29; 6:37; Rom.8:37,39; II Timothy 1:12
We believe the salvation of a soul consists of the following elements:
- Realization of being lost - Luke 19:10
- Conviction of sin, by the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God - John 16:8; Hebrews 4:12; Psalms 39:5; Isaiah 6:5
- Repentance from sin and a turning by faith to Jesus Christ, as Lord and personal Saviour - Acts 20:21; Luke 13:3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10
- Regeneration, or "rebirth," (the second birth, the first being physical)— which is the giving of new and eternal life to the repentant sinner - Titus 3:5
- Immediate and complete justification, which is the judicial declaration of eternal righteousness by God; Thus removing the sinner from the condemnation of God, and placing him under His approval - Romans 3:24-25; 4:5; 5:1,9; 8:30; Galatians 2:16
- Sanctification—which is the permanent setting apart of the Christian from the world and sin, and the continual work of the Holy Spirit to conform him to the image of God - John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Philippians 1:6; I Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11
BAPTISM
We believe baptism to be a separate act of obedience which occurs after and apart from salvation.
1 Peter 3:21; Acts 8;36-37; 10:44-48
Baptism shall be by water immersion only.
Acts 8:38; Mark 1:10
Baptism will not automatically place the baptized believer into membership of this church. Enlisting oneself into the Church Membership is a separate action.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
The membership of this church shall consist of born-again, saved (regenerated) believers.
All members must have been baptized, scripturally, by immersion, or must agree to be baptized at the earliest convenience, upon being received as a member.
Prospective members may be received by statement of faith, letter from a church of like faith, or by their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE CHURCH
We believe that Christ is the Head of the Church. The Church is His body, being made up of all regenerated persons, regardless of church affiliation.
Colossians 1:18; I Corinthians 12:12-14,27; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 1:2,23.
We believe that the New Testament Church is an organized body of the believers who are witnesses, for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8
This New Testament Church is manifested in many local assemblies or churches.
Romans 16:4-5; Acts 9:31; 15:41
We believe there are two divinely appointed offices in the local church:
- The Pastor (Bishop or Elder) is the shepherd of the flock, being both the spiritual and physical leader and teacher of the congregation. He presiding officer at meetings of the church. - Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; Matthew 28:19-20; I Timothy 5:7; I Peter 5:2-3
- The Deacons are to assist the Pastor in the spiritual and temporal matters. - Acts 6:1-7
The qualifications for Pastors and Deacons are found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe the Lords' Supper is the communion of the blood and body of our Lord Jesus Christ, as clearly taught in I Corinthians 11:20-34. Its' purpose being found in I Corinthians 11:26.
It shall be observed as often as deemed appropriate by the Pastor.
The elements shall consist of unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice.
This Church shall practice "open communion," that is: the participants shall be all those who desire to partake, having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and have assurance of the same.
ANGELS
We believe angels are created beings. We believe they were created by God, before He created man. We believe there are a great multitude of angels.
Psalms 148:2-5; Revelation 5:11
We believe there are two classes of angels: Those who have fallen, through allegiance to Satan, and those who remained faithful and true to God.
Jude 6; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 1:12; Mark 8:36
We believe that good angels stand in the presence of God to worship Him, assist and protect the individual believer, according to God's will, and punish God's enemies, as He directs.
Matthew 18:10; Isaiah 6:3; Acts 12:23; II Kings 19:35; Hebrews 1:14; Psalms 91:11
We believe evil angels and spirits oppose God, attack men, seeking to possess their bodies, and seek to make man sin against God.
Ephesians 6:12; Luke 13:11,16; Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1-20
We believe Satan was created perfect in wisdom and beauty, but that he fell when he attempted to exalt his throne above the stars of God.
Ezekiel 28:11, 19; Isaiah 14:12-15
We believe Satan's end will be in a lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10
END TIMES
We believe Jesus Christ is coming again before the Millenium, and that His coming will take place in two parts:
- His first coming could be at any moment (imminent). He will descend from Heaven, in the clouds, and the dead believers will rise to meet Him in the air, followed by the saved that are still living. The term used for this is "the Rapture." - I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51-52
- The last part of the Second Advent will come at the end of the seven-year Great Tribulation, when He will come again visibly and bodily. His feet will touch down on the Mount of Olives. - Acts 1:11; Zechariah 14:4
We believe the judgment of the believers and Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place in Heaven, whilst the Great Tribulation occurs on earth.
I Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 3:12, 15
We believe that when Jesus Christ returns, at the end of the Great Tribulation, He will defeat the Beast and the kings of the earth. Revelation 19:11-21
Satan will then be cast into the Bottomless Pit, after the Beast and False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire. Satan will be bound during the thousand-year reign (Millenium) of the Lord Jesus Christ, on earth.
Revelation 20:1-6
At the end of the Millenium, Satan will be loosed for a season to deceive nations, gathering them to do battle against the Lord. The Lord Jesus will defeat them, and Satan will then be cast alive into lake of fire, where he will remain eternally.
Revelation 20:10
After this, the White Throne Judgement will take place. During this time, the unsaved dead will appear, alive, before God, seated on His Great White Throne. Here, they shall be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
Revelation 20:1-15