What We Believe
1. We are followers of the one true God who is revealed in three persons: the heavenly Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We have joined together based upon His teachings to carry out His commands as recorded in the Bible.
2. We believe that the Holy Bible:
· was written by men divinely inspired
· has God for its author
· is truth without error
· reveals the principles by which God will save and judge us
The Bible therefore is, and shall remain unchanged to the end of the world:
· the true center of Christian union
· the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be judged.
3. Presently we consider the most accurate English translation of the Bible to be the King James Version. Our ministries in the English speaking world use this translation.
4. We believe the Bible teaches that God created the world in six days and soon thereafter Adam and Eve sinned; and that in the sight of God we, the children of Adam and Eve, are all sinners. Because of sin, all people are condemned by the justice of God to everlasting death and damnation.
5. God, because of His great love, has made it possible for sinners to be reconciled to Himself by the Gospel work of Jesus Christ. The guilt of our sin was laid upon Jesus Christ while he was on the cross. He died for our sins having none of His own, “the just for the unjust”. He overcame the power of death on our behalf by His resurrection from the dead. This is the Gospel. The everlasting benefits of this finished work are offered to all sinners, without exception, who believe this message and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. These believers have everlasting life.
6. It is our commission and responsibility to preach the gospel to all people worldwide, and to baptize those who trust in Christ, and to teach them everything that Christ has commanded.
7. The Bible teaches that salvation is not dependent on man, but is dependent solely upon the gospel work of Jesus Christ and the power of God. Salvation can never be lost because we are kept by the power of God, and will, therefore, continue in this faith. All believers will be resurrected to everlasting life; free from all sin.
8. When this earth is destroyed, those who did not trust in the Gospel during their earthly life will be cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Their punishment is continual and permanent. God has prepared a new earth for those who trust in the Gospel. They will live on this new earth with Jesus Christ forever.
9. We believe that God’s relationship with people is based on covenants. The salvation mentioned above is a Covenant. The relationship we have with God as a Church is based on the Messianic Covenant.
10. God’s Covenant with Israel created at Mount Sinai was conditional. This covenant relationship ended during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ because Israel did not keep the conditions of the Covenant (Israel is still beloved and has a relationship with God under the Abrahamic Covenant). During His earthly ministry Jesus Christ replaced Israel with a new government which He called “Church”. His churches are local, visible, autonomous congregations dependent solely upon His leadership. There is no universal and/or invisible church. We are a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. While we do fellowship with churches of similar teachings, we are Baptists who are not affiliated with any denominational organization.
11. By baptizing the Church with the Holy Spirit after His ascension, Jesus Christ placed His Church under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The head of every Church is Jesus Christ, and He does not share this authority with any human organization including secular government. His two ordained offices are Pastor and Deacon. This church is supported by tithes and offerings.
12. Membership in Christ’s Church is based on a public profession of faith in and submission to Jesus Christ, and a request for scriptural baptism. By the authority of this Church or a church of like-faith, this profession is symbolized by immersion of the professing person in water (Baptism).
13. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two Church Ordinances and are not a condition of our salvation. Baptism symbolizes our union with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By observance of the Lord’s Supper, using unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, members of this church remember together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.