Doctrinal Statement

Scripture

We believe the Bible to be the complete and reliable canon of God’s Holy and Inspired Word and Revelation to man, authoritative in nature, inerrant in content, and all sufficient in the equipping of believers through its timeless instruction in doctrine, faith, and holy living.     

God

We believe in the one living God, creator of the universe, existing as three distinct persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; each being equal in every divine eternal attribute and perfection, work distinctive but harmonious roles in the plan of redemption.

Angels

We believe God created spiritual beings called angels whose primary purpose is to serve, worship, and glorify God; one of whom fell in prideful transgression towards God, who was cast out with a third of the angels, presently acting as chief adversary to God by the deceiving and tempting of mankind, and presently serving as the prince and ruler of the world, due to the fall of man, but now waits final punishment in the Lake of Fire. 

Man

We believe all men and women to be created in the image of God, and to be the physical and spiritual descendants of the first man, Adam, who fell from grace by voluntary transgression, resulting in the inherited cursed and fallen nature of man; a nature inclined to sinful activity, choosing voluntary rebellion towards God’s Holy Law, resulting in guilt before God, deserving eternal punishment, and in need of redemption and reconciliation.   

Gospel

We believe the Gospel to be the heralding good news of how Jesus left his position in glory, veiling himself in flesh, fulfilled God’s Law by living a perfect obedient life, suffered a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, defeated death by rising from the grave, and now sits as king in glory until the time appointed for judgment, and that it is the duty of each person to repent from their sins and put their trust and faith in this Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Salvation

We believe that a person is saved from God’s eternal judgment solely by the grace of God alone; on the basis of the perfect and complete works of Jesus Christ alone; through the means of faith alone; initiated by the hearing God’s Word.

Regeneration

We believe that the Holy Spirit, at the moment of the exercising of faith, regenerates our dead spirit, giving spiritual birth and a new nature to the believer; in which a holy disposition is wrought, serving as the seat by which the Holy Spirit dwells and ministers individually, causing an inclination and an ability to want and do that which right before God, thus becoming a new creation.

Justification

We believe at the point of faith and regeneration, the believer is redeemed, declared righteous, and eternally secured from the guilt and penalty of sin on the basis of the complete righteous and atoning works of Jesus on the believer’s behalf.

Sanctification

We believe God continues to work progressively in the lives of believers, transforming them into the image of his son Jesus Christ, through the washing of the word, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who works a special ministry in the context of the local church.

Glorification

We believe that each believer will be resurrected bodily, delivered from the presence of sin, and will experience a weight of glory in accordance with the believer’s labors to the Glory of God, and it is the promise of God that His covenant people will be presented blameless, and that they will enjoy a bridal relationship with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom.

Church

We believe Jesus Christ, during His personal ministry, established His church, which is a local, visible assembly of scripturally baptized believers in a covenant relationship with God and each other, for the purposes of worship and the carrying out of the commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ, who promised the church’s perpetuity until the end of the age. We further believe Jesus has set two offices of leadership in the church: Bishop and Deacon, and that each church is an independent, self-governing body over which no other ecclesiastical body may exercise authority. 

Ordinances

We believe there are two pictorial ordinances in the Lord's churches: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Scriptural baptism is the full immersion of a penitent believer in water, administered by the authority of a scriptural New Testament church, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We further believe the Lord's Supper is a memorial ordinance, using the elements of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as a picture of the given body and blood of Jesus Christ, and that its scriptural administration is restricted to the members of the observing church.

Civil Government

We believe that God has appointed civil magistrates to their positions for His own purpose and glory, as well as for the general well being of all people, and that it is the believer’s duty to demonstrate honor and civil obedience unless the laws or regulations of a civil government run contrary to the Holy Scriptures.

Liberty of Conscience

We believe that each person will be held accountable before God for their response to the preaching of the gospel, and Godly instruction in Scripture. We further believe that each person or group has the right to worship or not worship according his own conscience, and that it is not the role of earthly governments, whether by legislative means or forcefully coercion, to impose religious practices of any kind. 

End Times

We believe in the personal, bodily, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He will raise the just and the unjust bodily, exercise His role as final Judge, give each their due reward or punishment, and to finally consummate His kingdom.