Desiring to be in accord with the mind of the Holy Spirit, we hold and require the following doctrinal beliefs:

The Bible: The entire Bible, in its original autographs, was inerrant, having been verbally inspired of God and of plenary authority (II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:21). Recognizing that there are no known original autographs available, we will officially use only those texts which are accurate translations based upon the best available Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic manuscripts, are the work of a composite group of scholars, and are neither expanded, nor in any other format than a direct, readable, and scholarly translation.

The Godhead: There is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; I Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14). The Son, the Logos, the 2nd Person of the Trinity, begotten of the Father, took on human form by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man (Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6-9; Romans 1:3, 4).

Total Depravity: All men by nature are dead in trespasses and sins and are, therefore, totally unable to do anything pleasing to God (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:9-12).

Redemption: God justifies ungodly sinners by His grace upon the ground of the blood of Christ through the means of faith. This complete salvation is bestowed as the free gift of God apart from man’s works (Romans 3:24-28, 5:1, 9; Ephesians 2:8, 9).

Eternal Security: All of the saved are eternally secure in Christ (Colossians 3:1-4; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1, 8:29-34, 8:38, 39; John 10:27-29; Ephesians 1:13,14).

Personality and Work of The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a Person, Who convicts the world of sin and Who regenerates, baptizes, indwells, enlightens and empowers (John 16:8; Titus 3:5;
I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13, 17, 18, 3:16).

The Church: In the present dispensation there is only one true Church, which is called the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22, 23, 3:6). The historical manifestation of the Body of Christ began with the Apostle Paul before he wrote his first epistle (I Thessalonians 2:14-16 cf. Acts 13:45, 46; Philippians 1:5, 6 cf. Acts 16; I Corinthians 12:13 27 cf. Acts 18).

Gifts: The ministry gifts for the Body of Christ are enumerated in Ephesians 4:7-11; Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:1-31. Some of these gifts were permanent in nature and some were to pass away; some were of the nature of ministers given to the Church and some were individual enablement for spiritual services. Since the New Testament canon was completed through the ministries of Apostles and Prophets (we believe these two offices have been fulfilled and no longer exist). Likewise the sign gifts, such as tongues, miracles, healing and others, were addressed primarily to the nation of Israel (I Corinthians 14:22), having fulfilled their purpose, have passed away (I Corinthians 13:8-11).

Walk: By reason of Christ’s victory over sin and of His indwelling Spirit, all of the saved may and should experience deliverance from the power of sin by obedience to Romans 6:11; but we deny that man’s nature of sin is ever eradicated during his life (Romans 6:6-14, 8:37; Galatians 5:16-25; II Corinthians 2:14, 10:2-5).

Lord’s Supper: The communion of the Lord’s Supper as revealed through the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:23-26 is for members of the Body of Christ to observe “until He comes”. It is a remembrance of His finished work. It is neither a sacrament, a saving, nor a merit gaining act.

Resurrection: Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily from the dead (Luke 24:39-43), therefore
(I Corinthians 15:21) all men will have a bodily resurrection (Acts 24:15): the saved to everlasting glory and the unsaved to everlasting punishment (John 5:29; Revelation 20:11-15).

Baptism: Baptism refers to the divine process through which the Holy Spirit places a believer into the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13). This occurs apart from earthly ordinances or rites and is the direct result of a genuine expression of personal faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3,4); Colossians 2:12). Water baptism, although at one time a requirement, is not considered a related part of church practice during the Dispensation of Grace.

Rapture And The Second Coming Of Christ: The rapture of the Church is the pre-tribulation home going (catching away) of the saints according to I Corinthians 15:51 and I Thessalonians 4:13-18. During this event, which occurs instantaneously, the members of the Body of Christ (Saved) will meet the Lord in the air and forever be with Him. This event is not associated in any way with the Second Coming of the Lord, an event characterized by an actual visitation of the Lord onto the planet surface (Acts 1:10,11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:4-6). This visitation will endure for 1000 years and begins as a fulfillment of prophecy at the time immediately following a period of tribulation which lasts for 7 years. During this time the Anti-Christ will reign on Earth. Although the timing for the rapture is a mystery, it could happen at any time. The Rapture is announced by the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. This glorious event marks the ending of the church age.

State Of The Dead: Nowhere does Scripture extend the hope of salvation to the unsaved dead but instead reveals that they will ever continue to exist in a state of conscious suffering (Luke 16:23-28; Revelation 14:11, 20:14, 15; Colossians 3:6; Romans 1:21-32; John 3:36; Philippians 3:19; II Thessalonians 1:9). The teachings of Universalism, of probation after death, of annihilation of the unsaved dead, and of the unconscious state of the dead, saved or unsaved (Luke 16:23-28; Philippians 1:23, II Corinthians 5:6-8), are opposed by us as being thoroughly unscriptural and dangerous doctrines.

Missions: The mission and commission of the Church, which is His body, is to proclaim the message of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:14-21) and endeavor to make all men see what is the Dispensation of the Mystery (Ephesians 3:8,9). In this, we should follow the Apostle Paul
(I Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; Philippians 3:17; I Timothy 1:11-16). That distinctive message which the Apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11:13, 15:16) calls “my gospel” (Romans 2:16, 16:25) is also called the “gospel of the Grace of God”. We, like Paul, must preach the entire Word of God in the light of this Gospel (II Timothy 4:2; Galatians 1:8,9) and strive to reach those in the regions where Christ is not yet named (Romans 15:20; II Corinthians 10:16). As His ambassadors, we are to use all technologies, languages, and means to reach out to all in our own and every other nation under Heaven. As ambassadors, we are to carry the message out, not wait for them to come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:20)

Marriage: We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. Marriage is, and always has been, the union of male and female (Gen. 1:22-24; Eph. 5).

Family: We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ (Eph. 5).

Children: Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including scripturally correct corporal punishment. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Proverbs. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; and I Pet. 3:1-7)

Homosexuality: We believe that the statement of Gen. 3:20-25 establishes the normal relationship God intended for mankind, one man and one woman uniting in marriage and establishing their own home as one flesh. This was never changed in the Word of God. Homosexuality is an aberration of this relationship and is uniformly condemned within the Scriptures as in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah Gen. 19:1-29. This is a consistent position within the Bible: Rom. 1:21-27; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; II Pet. 2:4-4; I King. 14:21-24; I King. 15:11, 12; II King. 23:7; Luke. 17:28; and I Cor. 6:9.

Divorce and Remarriage: We believe that God disapproves of and discourages divorce. He intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) Divorced or divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God. However, if the divorce and/or remarriage occurred subsequent to their salvation they may not be considered for the leadership positions of pastor, elders, or deacons. (Same Scriptures as 3.18.1)

Abortion: We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified taking of a human life. If it becomes necessary to take the baby from the mother’s womb to save the mother’s life, every attempt should also be made to save the baby’s life. (Exodus. 21:22-23; Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1,5; 20:15-18; Lu. 1:44).

Love: We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat of the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Lu. 6:31; Jn. 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10, 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil 2:2-4; II Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; and I John 3:17-18)

Lawsuits Between Believers: We believe that Christians are warned against bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possess all the resources necessary to aid in the resolution of personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)

Giving: We believe that every Believer in this Dispensation of Grace, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth which has been entrusted to him, is to support his local church and its outreach ministries financially. (I Cor. 16:2, II Cor. 9:6,7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18). We encourage planned, proportionate, and sacrificial giving which is done of free will and love to and for our God. Such giving has also been historically recognized in the United States by both Federal and State tax laws as a valid tax deduction.

Questionable Items: We believe that God has instituted a period of Grace, in which we are not under a system of law or laws. Christians will differ on issues of morality and spirituality many of which are culturally rather than Biblically driven. In areas where God has sacrifices, offerings, or solutions, i.e. divorce, or where there seem to be changes in depth of the command, grace must be extended. However, in areas where God has never changed orders, penalties, etc, the action should be definitely seen as sin against God and man i.e. murder and homosexuality. God did, through the cities of refuge, indicate a difference between manslaughter and murder.

Mission: We believe that the numerical growth of our assembly depends on God’s direction and the active efforts of those committed to His purpose apart from the confines of our organized fellowship. It is our desire to be known as a caring church, a church which meets the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of one another. We also desire to be recognized as ambassadors to our community; that by a fulfillment of our stated mission and purpose we will lead and grow by reputation and example.

• Being filled with the knowledge of God and His will (Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:9-13);
• Encouraging spiritual growth of the inner man (Ephesians 3:16-21);
• Promoting a personal devotional life through prayer and the study of God’s Word (II Tim. 2:15);
• Developing a personal commitment to Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1);
• Experiencing unity and oneness in the Body (Ephesians 4:1-3, 11-16);
• Edifying God and fellow believers in word and action (Romans 15:5,6; Eph. 2:10);
• Providing opportunities for service and the utilization of spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3.8; Ephesians 4:1-13); and participating in avenues of worship (Hebrews 10:24, 25). As a basis for outreach, we will continually evaluate the needs of our growing community.

Authority of the Statement of Faith: The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Word of God, the Bible (as defined in Article 3.1) is the sole and final source for what we believe. We do believe that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members of this assembly. All literature used in the church shall be in basic agreement with the Statement of Faith. Any literature which may contradict an individual point or two shall have such contradiction so indicated either orally or in written form by a disclaimer (such as a statement on the flyleaf of a publication).