Doctrinal Statement

1. The Inspiration of the Scriptures

We believe that the Hoy Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, was written by men as they were moved by the Hoy Spirit, in such a way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error.  The Bible is the very Word of God and is the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man.  It is our sole rule of faith and practice.  We believe that the King Jamie Version of the Bible is the most accurate English translation.  II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:16-17.

2. God the Father 

We believe that there is only one living and true God, and that the Godhead consists of three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  God is the creator and supreme ruler of heaven and earth.  He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and His presence is everywhere at ones.  He is perfect and holy.  Genesis 1:1; I John 5:7.

3.  God the Son

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God the Son, that He was born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that He is truly God and truly man.  He came to earth to redeem mankind, and died a substitionary death on the cross, was buried , and rose again on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for the saints.  All who put their trust in His completed work on the cross can and will be saved.  Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:8-9

4. God the Holy Spirit  

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is equal with God the Father and God the Son.  He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness.  He is the agent of the new birth, indwelling the believer from the moment of conversion.  He seals, empowers, guides, and teachers the believer.  John 16:8; Galatians 4:6; Acts 1:8.

5. Creation

We believe the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be taken literally.  That God created the heavens and the earth in six literal days and rested on the seventh.  That God commanded that each species was to bring forth only after its own kind, eliminating the possibility of evolution.  Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3.

6. The Fall of Man

We believe the Genesis account that man was created in innocence by God, but chose to disobey God’s command, and therefore fell from his sinless and happy state.  Adam’s sin is imputed to all of mankind, and all men are therefore sinners and under the condemnation of God.  Sin affects man’s nature both mentally, morally, spiritually, and physically.  Romans 5:12.

7. Salvation

We believe that all people are born as sinners and under the condemnation of God.  Man cannot save himself by good works, nor by any other means.  Man must repent of his sins, and accept by faith the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross on his behalf to pay the penalty of his sins.  By confessing Jesus to be the Lord of his life, and believing that God raised Him from the dead, man is born again, saved from the wrath of God, and granted the gift of eternal life.  Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 5:24.

8. The Blessing of Salvation

We believe that from the moment a person is saved by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, a great change takes place, and new life begins.  All sins re forgiven, and the person is declared righteous in Christ.  He/she is born again, adopted into the family of God, and made a joint her with Christ.  The Holy Spirit comes sto indwell and empower him, and he is kept by the power of God unto final glorification, when he shall go to live eternally with God in Heaven.  II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 5:1; Galatians 4:6-7; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:3-8.

9. Sanctification

We believe that sanctification of the Christian is separation from evil and dedication unto God.  It is accomplished instantaneously at the moment of salvation.  Hebrews 10:10; progressively in the daily life of the Christian – II Corinthians 7:1, and ultimately at the return of Christ – I Jon 3:2.  In daily life it is the victory of overcoming sin through the power of God by obedience to the Scriptures and surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s control John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16.

10. The Local Church

We believe that the church was established by Jesus Himself – Matthew 16:18.  He is its Head – Ephesians 1:22-23.  It is His body, commissioned to do His work – Matthew 28:19-20.  It is a local and visible (not universal) assembly of baptized believers associated by a convent of faith.  God has given to each of its members one or more spiritual gifts to be used within the church – Romans 12:1-8.  It is to be indigenous, self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating, free from any hierarchy yet able to fellowship with other churches of like faith and practice.  It’s officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined – I Timothy 2:1-13; Acts 2:41-42.

11. Church Ordinances:  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that baptism is the complete immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, by the authority of a local church.  It is a sign of our faith in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, and of our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.  It is a prerequisite to church membership, and testimony of agreement with the doctrinal statement of the local church, and a promised to continue I a spirit of unity within the church.  The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ, in which church members, after solemn self-examination, commemorate Christ’s death on the cross.  Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 11:23-28.

12. The Christian’s Responsibility to Civil Government

We believe that civil governments are ordained by God for the interests and good order of human society.  Rulers are to be prayed for, honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to God’s commands for our lives.  I Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1-7.

13. Future Events

We believe in the imminent – Matthew 24:44, premillennial, pre-tribulational return of Christ to rapture all believers out of the world – I Thessalonians 4:16-17, after which they will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ – Romans 14:10, which will be followed by the Marriage Supper of the Lamb – Revelation 19:7-9.  Christ will then return to the earth at the end of the Tribulation Period accompanied by the Saints, will set up His kingdom on earth, and reign for a thousand years – Revelation 19:11-20:6.  Then all unbelievers will be resurrected to stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment and will be cast into the lake of fire with the Devil and his angels – Revelation 20:11-15.  Then this earth will be destroyed by fire – II Peter 3:10, and a new heaven and new earth will appear – Revelation 21:1 to be inhabited eternally boy God and the believers.  John 5:28-29.