Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; 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; that all animal and vegetable life was created directly, and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind." Genesis 1: John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6 Man We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created by a direct act of God and not from any previously existing form of life; and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, the first parents of the entire human race. By voluntary transgression man fell from his sinless state, in consequence of which all men are now sinners by nature and by choice, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal judgment and separation from God in a place called hell without defense or excuse. Genesis 1:27; 3:6, 24; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:32; 3:10- 23; 5:12-19

Salvation

We believe the Scriptures teach that Christ died for the whole world and that salvation of sinners is divinely initiated, wholly of grace, and accomplished only through the mediatorial work of the Son of God. It is wholly apart from works and is upon the sole condition of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and never without genuine repentance. In order to be saved the sinner must be born again, personally receiving Christ as Savior, being regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in God's Word and becoming the recipient of a new nature. The great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification, that judicial act of God accompanied by the pardon of sin and the imputation of divine righteousness, not because of any work of righteousness on our part, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood. The believer who has exercised personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is completely justified and in possession of eternal life which is eternally secure. Habakkuk 2:4; John 1:11- 12; 3:3-17; 10:28-29; Acts 13:39; Romans 2;4; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:2; 1 Peter 1:18-23; 2 Peter 1:4; 2:1; 1 John 5:11-13

The Church

We believe the Scriptures teach that the Local Church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word. Its Scriptural officers are Pastors, sometimes called bishops or elders, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus. A. The Distinctives: The definition of the local Church leads to these Scriptural distinctive: Biblical authority of the Scriptures 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Autonomy of the local church 1 Timothy 3:15 Priesthood of the believers Revelation 1:5-6 Two officers Pastor (elder, bishop) and Deacon Philippians 1:1 Individual soul liberty (personal responsibility) 1 John 2:27 Saved Church membership Acts 2:41, 47 Two ordinances (Baptism & the Lord's Supper) Acts 2:41-42 Separation of Church and State Matthew 22:21 B. The Mission: We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First to make individual disciples Second -to build up the Church * Third - to reach and instruct as He has commanded C. The Ordinances: We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is performed under the authority of the Local Church to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior. Baptism pictures our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of Church membership. The Lord's Supper, or communion, commemorates the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the bread representing His body that was broken for us, and the fruit of the vine representing His blood that was shed for us. Before partaking of these elements each person should examine himself, "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." We believe the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are to be observed only under the authority of the Local Church. Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 D. The Support: We believe God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the Churches and the support of the ministry, is by the tithes and offerings of His people. We believe that everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income; that tithing was instituted long before the Law was ever given and was practiced by the early Church. We believe that God is pleased by the believer who is obedient in tithing, and that tithing is a reminder to the believer that God is the true owner of all that we have. Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:87 E. The Body of Christ: We believe the Scriptures teach that the "Church which is His body" is the institution visibly manifested in local bodies of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel. Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:12; Hebrews 12:23