Where we stand

Statement of Faith

1.  Concerning Scripture

We believe the whole of Scripture, contained in the old and new testaments, is the verbally inspired Word of God. As such the Bible is the only sufficient, infallible and authoritative rule concerning doctrine, life and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 1:3, 2 Peter 1:20

2.  Concerning the Godhead

We believe in one sovereign triune God eternally existent in three persons:  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is one in essence, attributes and perfections. Each person of the Godhead is co-equal and co-eternal yet distinct in personhood and personality.

Genesis 1:26-27, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17

1. The Father:  God the Father is the first person of the trinity and is designated as the Father in His relationships both within the Godhead and with regard to His creation. The Father demonstrates authority with equality, the Son and the Holy Spirit submit to the will of the Father in all things. Matthew 6:9, Luke 22:42, John 14:15-17 & 26
2. The Son:  Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity and is the eternal Son of God. He was placed in the womb of a virgin by divine providence through the agency of the Holy Spirit of God. He became fully man without ceasing to be fully God. As the God-Man, Jesus lived a life of sinless perfection, manifested God to man, fulfilled prophecy and provided the only sufficient sacrifice to redeem a lost humanity by His substitutional death, burial and resurrection.  Matthew 1:23, John 3:16-18, 1 John 1:1-10
3. The Holy Spirit:  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity indwelling every believer. The Holy Spirit points mankind to Jesus Christ, convicting of sin, righteousness and the judgment to come. He regenerates the lost baptizing them into the Body of Christ, sealing them for the day of redemption and continually fills them for power and service in exercising their gifts and talents for the kingdom of God. Romans 8:8-11, 1 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 4:30

3.  Concerning Mankind

Mankind was created in the image of God. By Adam’s willful disobedience, sin entered the human race. Spiritual death occurred as a result of Adam’s sin and so all of Adam’s progeny, excepting Jesus Christ, inherit Adam’s fallen sinful nature. The natural state of mankind is that of total depravity and unchangeable evil except by means of divine grace. Genesis 6:5, Psalm 14:1-3, Romans 3:9-18

4.  Concerning Salvation

As mankind is born spiritually dead and steeped in sin, nothing an unregenerate sinner can do will bring them eternal life. BUT salvation is that free gift of God, accomplished by the vicarious suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who stood condemned  in our place, was made to be sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God. Salvation is the result of God’s grace; when he quickens our hearts to respond to His call, we place our faith (trust) in His Word and rest in Christ alone for our eternal life, God then graciously declares us to be “just” before Him removing from us His divine wrath and giving us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and empower us for Christian life and service.  Romans 3:21-26, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Galatians 2:20,

5.  Concerning the Perseverance of the Saints

Once a soul has been made alive and indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God it is impossible for the regenerated person to totally and finally fall away from the security of that grace. The redeemed saint may experience times of spiritual dryness, temptation and sin. The saint may in such times grieve the Holy Spirit of God and bring temporal punishments and loss of eternal rewards on themselves. Yet in this state they will not remain, for their salvation is a work of God, not of themselves. Therefore, the keeping of that salvation is also a work of God and not of themselves. The sinning saint will at some point come back to repentance and fellowship with God. John 10:25-30, Romans 8:28-39, Jude 24

6.  Concerning the Church

The church is the body and bride of Christ. All saints past, present and future who by faith are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God are members of the Body of Christ:  His Bride, the Church. Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd and Head of the Church which exists to: glorify God, be His visible witness on earth, reach the lost and disciple the found. We believe that God has established and ordained certain structures within the Church for its administration and the fulfillment of His sovereign will. That structure is:

1. Christ the Chief Shepherd and Head of the Body.
2. A qualified Pastor who is the first among equals in a body of Elders. The position of Pastor is gender specific to male leadership.
3. A body of qualified Elders, of whom the pastor is but one, moving in absolute unity to lead the body as the Chief Shepherd leads them. Elders are spiritual men leading in Spiritual things. The position of Elder is gender specific to male leadership.
4. Pastors and Elders are supported by Deacons, who are spiritual persons leading in practical ways to undergird the work of the ministry. The role of a deacon is considered complementarian, meaning it is a role where men and women complement each other in service to the Lord. Ephesians 5:23, 1 Peter 5, 1 Timothy 3 / Titus 1

7.  Concerning the Ordinances

Baptism and Communion are the sole ordinances of the New Testament Church. Baptism is a one time event identifying the new believer with their new life in Christ. The submersion and coming up out of the water are symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, and the washing of water is symbolic of the washing away of sins. It is a physical representation of a past completed action.

Communion is an ongoing practice of remembrance and celebration concerning the finished work of Christ on the cross. Communion is to be done often in the life of the believer and the life of the Church. Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 2:38-42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32,

8.  Concerning Spiritual Gifts and Talents

God sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts and talents to His people, the body of Christ. All gifts and talents are given to bring glory to God, to build up the Church, and to share Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. We are to mature in the use of our gifts by growing in our relationship with God and His holy Word, by submission to the indwelling Holy Spirit, and by active involvement within the body of Christ. In accordance to the Word of God all things must be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:1-16, Hebrews 2:1-4

We identify ourselves with The London Baptist Confession of 1689, The Abstract of Principles of 1858 and the Philadelphia Confession of 1742. It is our further conviction that while we may not be in full agreement with all points of the historic creeds and confessions there is a great deal of scriptural fidelity and wisdom to be gained by the study of such. We highly recommend the earnest reading of: The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Scotts Confession, The Three forms of Unity (containing The Heidelberg Catechism, The Cannons of Dort and the Belgic Confession).