"We remark at once that our code of laws is but the Book of Inspiration. We are anxious to disclaim, at the outset, any pretensions to perfection in our methods of action. We have faith in sanctified common sense, resulting from an application to the source of all wisdom by prayer and reading of the Word of God. If churches would only act with the prudence of any assembly of mercantile men, much evil would be averted, and more good secured. Acting in things temporal after a truly business principle, and in things spiritual as God’s Word and Spirit dictate, no formal system of rules, in our opinion, will ever be required. We must ultimately have faith in God and follow His plans for the church, which is His and not ours; furthermore, we must have faith in each other’s intentions and integrity, or we shall loosen the pins of church action, and all will lapse into confusion and conflict, instead of securing and maintaining purity and peace within the gates of our Zion." ~ C. H. Spurgeon

1. Of The Scriptures

We believe that holy men of God wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The scriptures are perfect, holy, and true to the very jot and tittle, having no admixture of error.

The scriptures are our only infallible rule of faith and practice; and we strive to bring every deed, doctrine, and thought into conformity to them. They are the inspired, complete, final revelation of God to man, and they shall be preserved until heaven and earth have passed away.

By the "Holy Scriptures" we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.

By "Inspiration" we mean that the books were supernaturally and verbally given by God--every word representing the very mind of the Spirit.

By "Preservation" we mean that God has promised not one jot or tittle of the Holy Scriptures shall pass or be lost. In spite of the recent flood of translations, we accept the Authorized 1611 version of the Bible as God’s fulfillment of His promise of preservation to us as English speaking Christians. We believe this version to be an accurate translation of the pure line of manuscripts, these manuscripts being the Masoretic Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Byzantine (Textus Receptus, Majority Text) manuscripts of the Greek New Testament.

2. THE TRUE GOD

The Essence of God: God is the most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions. He subsists in and of Himself and is dependent upon none other. The Unity of God: We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God whose name is Jehovah. He is the God of creation and the only God to be worshiped, honored and loved. He is the great "I AM" of eternity and beside Him there is none other.

The Holy Trinity: We believe that in this divine and infinite being or unity of the Godhead, there are three persons--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are one being, power, entity, and will--each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided. These three divine persons are equal in every divine perfection executing distinct, but harmonious, offices in the great work of redemption.

We believe God the Father is of none, neither being begotten, nor proceeding of, nor from any other. He is the eternal Father, having begotten Christ in eternity. He is the loving Father of all who, by faith in Jesus Christ, are adopted into His family.

We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. He is the Son, by eternal generation, begotten in eternity. We believe in His incarnation, sinless life and substitutionary death. We believe He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, having all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. As a son, He is in perfect submission to the Father in the great work of redemption, though their wills are eternally undivided.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person eternally proceeding from God the Father and God the Son. He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, being of the same divine essence. Being God, He is a personality and not just an influence. Those attributes of personality and self-determination are shown in the scriptures, having His part in the creation and the great work of redemption.

References: Essence--Psalm 19:1; Acts 14:16; Romans 1:20, 21; Romans 2:14, 15; James 2:19; Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:28; Isaiah 53:11; I Kings 8:27; John 4:24; John 1:18. Unity--Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 45:7 through 12; Isaiah 43:10, 11, 15; Genesis 1:1. Trinity--Colossians 2:9; Mt. 28:19; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8, Col 115, Matthew 3:16, 17; Genesis 11:7; II Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 3:22.

3. GOD'S ATTRIBUTES

Although God is a being absolutely removed from any shadow of composition, He is represented in scripture as possessed of diverse attributes which, though seemingly different from His essence, are in reality constitutive of His nature. God is eternal, infinite, immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, perfectly wise, holy, righteous, good, and just. He has life of and in Himself. He is the all sufficient and blessed God in whom all perfection lies.

4. THE INCARNATION

The Son of God, in the fullness of time, took upon himself man’s nature with all the properties and infirmities. Yet without sin, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Both the divine and human nature are inseparably joined in the person of Christ. These natures remain unmixed, and without confusion--which is very God and very man, yet one--Jesus Christ, the only mediation between God and man.

5. GOD'S DECREES

God hath from eternity freely and unchangeably created in Himself all things that are and will come to pass. God in decreeing to allow sin is in no way held chargeable for it. He neither approved, fellowshipped, encouraged or authored it. God’s decrees do no violence to the creatures will; but rather display His wisdom in disposing all second causes to the accomplishing to His designs.

6. DIVINE PROVIDENCE

God the creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things from the greatest to the least, according to His eternal and immutable counsel. This doctrine is of great encouragement to believers as it secures for them the assurance that "all things work together" for their good.

7. CREATION

We believe in one God "who worketh all in all’. Him we confess as the creator of all things, visible and invisible, who in six days created and prepared "heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." We further believe that this God still governs and preserves the same, together with all His works, through His wisdom, His might, and the "work of His power." When He had ordained and prepared each of them, they were right and good according to their nature, being, and quality. The Genesis account of creation is to be taken literally and not allegorically or figuratively. Man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of created kinds or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. All animal and vegetable life was made directly; with God’s established law that they should bring forth only "after their kind." Beside the laws written in their hearts, Adam and Eve received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; and while this was kept they were in happy communion with their creator.

8. OF SATAN

We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors. Through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew one third of the angelic host with him. He is now the malignant prince and power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religion, the chief power behind the present apostasy, the Lord of the anti-Christ, the great dragon, and the old serpent called the devil. He is to be resisted by all those who name the name of Christ, resolving not to give place to him. His final defeat will be by the hands of God’s Son, with the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

9. THE ANGELS

We believe that the elect angels of the Lord are ministering spirits, sent forth for the good of those that shall be the heirs of salvation. Those non-elect angels, being left to their own free will, chose to follow Lucifer (the cherub that covereth); therefore, they are to face impending damnation along with Satan at a time appointed by God. Angels are to bring glory unto God as His creatures, which is clearly set forth in scriptures.

10. THE FALL

We believe that in the beginning God made all things of nothing into good, and He created man after His own image and likeness in righteousness and holiness of truth. Man did not long abide in this honor because Satan used the subtlety of the serpent to seduce and deceive Eve. She then invited Adam, who without any compulsion, did willfully transgress and disobey the Word of God, which was to abstain and shun the forbidden fruit. God (in His holy and wise counsel) permitted the fall having purposed it to His own glory. All mankind fell and became altogether dead in sin and subject to the eternal wrath of God; both by original and actual corruption, and wholly defiled in all the faculties, in soul and body, is set forth in Holy Writ.

Therefore, mankind is conceived in sin, being by nature the children of wrath, the servants of sin, and the subjects of spiritual, temporal and eternal death, except the Lord Jesus Christ sets them free. Man’s total depravity is not only seen in degree, but extent. The natural man is not depraved in spots, but the whole of his being is depraved. The carnal mind is enmity against God, and the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

By "inability" we mean that man is not able to come to Christ or believe in Christ in or of himself. Also, that the will is subject to the mind and the heart and is free only in the sense that it does what it desires, which is an aversion to God. We believe that because of man’s lifeless condition, he is unable to approach God or change his position (unregenerate) with God, as the Ethiopian cannot change his skin.

By "responsibility" we mean that man is responsible in regards to personal repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mankind is commanded to repent and believe the Gospel. Mankind is invited to approach Christ and permission to come is given to whosoever will let Him come. Man’s inability to come to Christ is not frustrated by his responsibility, because God did not author nor promote mans sinful nature, therefore, man cannot blame God for his own willful rejection of Jesus Christ.

11. THE LAW

The intolerable burden of the Mosaic law, with all its shadows and types, was brought to fruition in Christ and was not done away by Him, rather it was fulfilled in Him.  The Law therefore was established by God and consequently remains in effect.  Whatsoever God hath done always has been and always shall be absolutely perfect.

The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ; moreover, the law entered that the offence might abound. The law is not sinful; and we would not have known sin, but by the law, for lust would not have been known, except the law had said "Thou shalt not covet". That a man is not justified by the works of the law, is evident; but after conversion the law becomes the Christian’s delight and meditation.

12. DOCTRINE OF GRACE

Foreknowledge: It is our candid judgment that there is hardly any doctrine more generally or more woefully misunderstood than this wonderful doctrine. It is a divine attribute belonging to the nature of God.

Unlike election and predestination, which are divine acts that follow, foreknowledge (depending on the context) can mean prescience or foresight. The other usage is closely connected with the words foreordain and foreordination. Regarding persons, foreknowledge signifies favor, affection, and special cognition. God, according to His determinate counsel and good pleasure, foreknows a person for the purpose of salvation and finally unto glorification. God’s foreknowledge is eternal and immutable, whether it be of a person or of a nation. Foreknowledge goes beyond the definition and properties of omniscience.

References: Romans 8:29, 30; Romans 11:2; II Peter 3:17; I Peter 1:20; I Peter 1:2; Jeremiah 1:5; Amos 3:2; Psalm 1:6; Matthew 7:28; John 10:14; I Corinthians 8:3; II Timothy 2:19; Acts 18:48.

Election: Election is God’s choice of some persons unto everlasting life, not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ, in consequence of which choice they are called, justified, and glorified according to the irreprehensible reason of His own free will.

Election is unto salvation. It is not denied that there has been a Divine Choice of nations privileges or even individuals being chosen to a particular service; but, we also affirm that the scriptures teach an election of individuals to everlasting life.

References: Romans 11:5, 6; I Corinthians 4:7; John 6:37; Mark 13:20; Ephesians 1:4; II Thessalonians 2:18; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:3; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 9:18; I Corinthians 1:29; Acts 13:48; I Thessalonians 4:7; I Peter 1:2; II Peter 1:10; John 17:2, 6; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; II Timothy 2:10; Revelation 17:14; I Peter 5:10; Jude 1; Titus 1:2; I John 2:25; II Peter 3:9.

Predestination: Predestination is the purpose of God from eternity respecting future events and persons. Predestination is the eternal determination or purpose of the Divine Will. Providence is the execution of Divine Will. God predestinates His people to be conformed to the image of His dear Son, that we may be holy and adopted children, peculiar unto Himself.

References: Romans 8:29, 30; Ephesians 1:5, 11; I John 3:1-3; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:12; John 15:16; John 17:24; I Peter 2:9.

Blood Redemption: Although the sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood offered up unto God His Father upon the cross was a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour, and that God in Him is well pleased, it doth not reconcile God unto us, rather it reconciles the world (elect) unto Himself--sinners being at enmity and hatred toward God. Christ was delivered to death for our sins, and through His blood we have remission of our sins. We are the recipients of redemption, not by the blood of bulls and goats, or by the little worth of gold and silver, but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or spot. He canceled the handwriting of ordinances and the law of commandments. He spoiled principalities and powers, made a show of them openly and destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil.

Christ being the propitiation and holy sacrifice for our sins suffered in the sinners stead, satisfied the law and appeased the Father’s wrath towards them for whom our Lord died.

Christ's vicarious sacrifice is efficacious and secures the salvation of all for whom the Father foreknew, giving them all to the Son (no more and no less). We contend that when Christ died, he did so with the sinner in view, and that the damned in hell had no effectual atonement. Christ’s blood is not limited, for it secures the salvation of all for whom it was designed. Because of God’s sovereignty, no atonement was made for the devil or fallen angels. However, the Son’s expiatory sacrifice as full payment for depraved, guilty transgressors was accepted by the Father. After our Saviour was taken down from the cursed tree, He was buried and arose bodily the third day and He is now seated upon the right hand of the Father in Heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all sufficient Saviour.

Calling - Effectual and General: Those whom God has chosen unto eternal life, He is pleased in His appointed time, to call His elect by His word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature the children of wrath. To bring His elect to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ by His sovereign grace, He enlightens their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, and He takes away their hearts of stone, giving them hearts of flesh. The elect are not brought against their volition, but by changing the mind, the heart, and the governing disposition of the soul they become willing.

There is a General Call: We believe that many are called, but few are chosen. Men resist this sincere call of the gospel given by God, yet this external call which comes to millions of hearers lacks the efficacious regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.

The effectual call of the Holy Spirit, which is internal, is the call that secures salvation, and is in every case made in pursuance of God’s external purpose.

Regeneration: Regeneration is a work and accomplishment of the Holy Spirit upon a sinner. A renovation of the mind and soul and an illumination of the truth, bringing with it a change of the will and of the carnal desires and lusts.

Regeneration is a genuine mortification of internal wickedness and of the old man which delights himself in lust, wickedness and sin. This regeneration has its rise and origin with God through Christ and is generated in us by the Holy Spirit apart from any co-operation of the creature. The regenerate is not born again by the will of man nor of the will of the flesh, but of God. There is no such thing as self birth, either in the physical or spiritual realms. The mother gives birth to the child in the physical

Regeneration is necessary because of the depravity of the human nature, which is in moral darkness and is spiritual blindness. Therefore, to be divinely regenerated is to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. The evidence of this appears in the holy fruit of repentance, faith, and newness of life. Repentance and faith are mutually inclusive and are inseparable graces.

Repentance: We believe through effectual calling that repentance is given to the person unto life. This person by the Holy Spirit is made aware of his manifold evils and sins. With godly sorrow and detestation the penitent sinner turns from sin to the Lord Jesus Christ. This repenting of a sinful life and a forsaking of all sins leads to a public confession and an unfeigned contrition. ". . . except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Faith: We believe faith is a work performed by the Spirit of Christ and enables the sinner to trust, believe, and rely upon the veracity of the scriptures and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Saving faith is not based on feelings, rather upon the fact of the gospel. Saving faith is accompanied by works, otherwise, faith is dead and has no value. This type of faith is an acting faith where one receives Christ, commit one’s soul to Christ, and call upon Him as Savior. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness . Saving faith is a persevering and overcoming faith.

Justification: Those whom God effectually called, He also freely justifieth, not by infusing righteousness unto them, but by pardoning their sins and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous. It was not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone. Justification is not the imputing of faith, or the imputing of any other evangelical obedience, rather it is the imputation of Christ’s active obedience unto the whole law and His obedience unto the death of the cross, that the sinner is made truly and wholly righteous.

Justification is found in receiving and resting on Christ and on His righteousness by faith, which faith the saints have not of themselves, for it is the gift of God. God’s justice is completely satisfied with the substitutionary sacrifice that His Son accomplished for the sinner.

Justification has nothing to do with moral improvement, but with judicial standing. At the Judgment Seat there will be no innocent people for God to justify, "For all have sinned therefore, we are justified freely by His grace, not for the worthiness of our belief, but for the worthiness of whom we believe in. We admit that there is a justification by works, but this is horizontal righteousness and is the evidence of regeneracy not the cause of it. Infants and young children that die, are the recipients of justification and saving grace based on the atonement of Christ. Because of God’s grace and decrees such children prove themselves to be the elect of God, when they die below a level of accountability.

References: Romans 3:23; Romans 8:30; Romans 4:5-8; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:17-21; I Corinthians 1:30, 31; James 2:14-26; Isaiah. 53:5, 6; Romans 8:32, 33; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:8; Romans 4:25; Titus 3:7; Acts 13:39; Romans 5:9; Zechariah 3:1-4; Duet. 1:39; II Samuel 12:22-23; Jonah 4:11; Romans 5:13.

Sanctification: They who are united to Christ, effectually called and re- generated, having a new heart and a quickened Spirit, are also further sanctified actually and personally by the Holy Spirit and His word dwelling in them. The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof, are more and more weakened and mortified.

This sanctification is absolutely necessary which creates true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life, because there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war (the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh).

We believe sanctification is in three tenses—actual: when one is regenerated, progressive as one grows in grace and His Word, and complete when one is glorified.

To be sanctified (set apart) unto the Lord is a good work begun by the Lord in the elect and shall be performed until the day of Jesus Christ.

Adoption: All those who are justified and redeemed through Jesus Christ are made partakers of the grace of adoption, which in relation to salvation is a legal relationship. The adopted enjoy the liberties and privileges as the children of God having received the Spirit of adoption, they also will have access to the Throne of Grace. Coming to the Throne Room with boldness, the adopted are enabled to cry "Abba Father." They are pitied, protected, provided for and chastened by Him, as by a father. (Yet, we quickly affirm never to be cast off, but sealed to the day of Redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.)

Assurance: Assurance is wrought by the Holy Spirit, and produced in the believer. Assurance yields many blessings, such as certainty, confidence, persuasiveness and an unyielding hope.

Assurance is founded upon the blood and righteousness of Christ which is revealed in scripture. There is an inner evidence and witness, of our spirit, being brought into harmony with God’s Spirit. Although the degrees of assurance vary because of conflicts and difficulties, yet after making their calling and election sure, the saved will not be left destitute of the Love of Christ. Along with the sincerity of heart and conscience of duty, the Holy Spirit will revive their assurance in due time.

Security of the Believer - Preservation and Perseverance: Those whom God hath accepted in His Son, effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace; but, shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved.

Many storms and floods arise and beat against the children of God, yet they shall never be shaken or taken off the Foundation and Rock, which by faith they are fastened upon. They are kept by the power of Almighty God engraven upon the palms of His hands.

This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will; but, upon the immutability of divine election and the free, eternal, and unchangeable love of God.

The Christian however, through the temptation of Satan, the world, and the corruption still remaining in them, may fall into grievous sins and for a time continue therein. Yet they will most definitely incur God’s displeasure, grieve the Holy Spirit and, except there be a forsaking, there will be a grievous chastening. The Child of God will then renew his commitment and will be afforded the blessing of true repentance. Therefore, every child of God will be kept and preserved in holiness, and they shall persevere and overcome the world because they are born of God and sealed unto the day of redemption.

13. OF CHRIST AND OF PRAYER

It pleased God in His eternal purpose to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, according to the Covenant made between them both, to be the Mediator between God and man.

When the fullness of time was come, He took upon Himself man’s nature with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof. Yet, without sin was He conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary; He is therefore being the Mediator, and is all God and all man.

In the Lord Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and the Father hath put all power and judgment in His hand. The Lord Jesus Christ undertakes this office willingly, becoming sin, a curse, and enduring most grievous sorrows of soul and painful sufferings in His body. He was crucified, died, was buried, arose with the same body, and ascended into Heaven to sit at the tight hand of the Father tabernacled with the same body that hung on the tree.

The office of Mediatorship is necessary in respect of our ignorance of God, our alienation from God, and the imperfection of our best works. Christ reconciles and presents us acceptable unto God, providing us access unto the throne room of grace with confidence and comfort.

Of prayer we believe that it is a holy and sacred duty of all the elect to perform unto God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and His name alone. Public prayer is to be in a tongue understood by the people, to be solemn and in a reverent manner.

Private prayer is to be earnest, fervent, intelligible and in much adoration. Prayer is afforded to us for the following reasons: worship, thanksgiving, petitions, confession of sins, and for spiritual power--realizing that without the assistance of the Holy Spirit we cannot pray aright. In much prayer and fasting, worldly pleasures and even common food will seem less important and the will of God will seem much more precious. As oxygen is to the body, so is prayer to the spiritual life.

14. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe and confess that God has instituted civil government for the punishment of the wicked and the protection of the pious, and further, for the purpose of governing the world, countries, and cities--to preserve its subjects in good order and under good regulations.

Civil Magistrates being set up by God, with the laws and regulations that are prescribed, ought to be obeyed by us, in the Lord; not only for punishment, but for conscience sake. Prayers and supplications ought to be lifted up for those in authority that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

If and when the government, a law adopted, or a magistrate is in variance to the Word of God, then we are to obey God rather than man.

15. MARRIAGE AND THE HOME

We believe in the honorable state of matrimony between two believers of different sex, as God first instituted in paradise between Adam and Eve.

Man shall have his one and only wife and woman shall have her one and only husband--adultery being the only way that divorce is permissible.

It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry; yet, it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord. Therefore, such as profess true salvation should not marry with unbelievers only to be unequally yoked.

The wife is to hold her husband in reverence and to be in submission to him in the Lord. The husband is to love his wife and dwell with her according to knowledge.

If one party to such a marriage is an unbeliever, the other should not leave the unbelieving patty, but should pray so that the Lord would also lead that person to salvation. That is, marriage built on love, trust, and faith in God is accepted, remembering to be forgiving, affectionate and preferring one another, that your prayers be not hindered.

Concerning the children, (who are gifts from God our Father), we believe parents are to be held responsible for the child’s physical, social, and spiritual welfare. Teaching and training them by admonishing, by encouraging, by being an example, by not provoking, and by chastising.

Children are commanded to honor and obey their parents in the Lord that they may live long on the earth.

16. THE CHURCH

We believe that the true Church of Christ is a visible congregation of baptized believers, associated by a covenant in faith and fellowship of the gospel.

We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations and that the one and only head is Christ, through the Holy Spirit, not the pope of Rome, who has the spirit of the anti-Christ.

We shun any belief such as universal visible or universal invisible as heretical and contrary to scriptures. Contrary to these teachings, we believe that the Church (ecclesia) is a called out assembly (being local and visible).

The origin of the Church can be found in Christ, existing in the apostles, with one baptism, the baptism of John the Baptist.

Jesus Christ is the Rock (not Peter) upon which the true New Testament Church is built upon. This church is to be identified by its characteristic features rather than by name, for a name can be adopted by a heretical and false church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Founder, the Foundation, the Head, the Vine, the Bridegroom, the Spouse and the Chief Cornerstone. The Lord Jesus Christ loves His church, and gave Himself for the church, purchasing it with His own blood. It will be presented to Him a chaste bride without spot or wrinkle.

References: Genesis 28:17; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22, 23; I Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26; Revelation 2 & 3; Revelation 17:5, 6; Acts 1:22; Matthew 16:18, 18:17; Acts 20:28; Acts 19:32; Romans 16:32; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Revelation 21:9; Ephesians 3:21; Ephesians 5:23-27, 32; Hebrews 12:23.

The Ordinances: We believe in the two ordinances, instituted by Christ, and perpetuated till He comes again. We do not believe that foot washing is to be incorporated within the observing of the ordinances, not having within itself a display of the gospel.

Baptism: We confess that all penitent believers, who through faith, the new birth and renewal of the Holy Ghost - have become united with God. The names of these believers are recorded in heaven, and must on such scriptural confession of their faith, according to the command and doctrine of Christ and the example of the apostles, be baptized with water in the ever adorable name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

This ordinance is not to be performed on infants or wicked persons. Baptism does not possess any saving efficacy neither does it seal or secure salvation, this being a work of the Holy Spirit.

Immersion in water is the scriptural mode of baptism--all other modes are viewed as heretical. Not only is baptism strictly symbolic, but it is invalid unless it is performed by the proper authority. This authority is the Lord’s New Testament Church preserved through the ages.

Baptism, when followed by a believer whereby he becomes a member, is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ; it is a picture of the believers death to sin, it is a picture of a future resurrection, and baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God.

Lord’s Supper: It was instituted by Him the same night wherein He was betrayed, to be observed in His churches unto the end of the world for the perpetual remembrance, and to show forth the sacrifice in His death. The elements are unleavened bread, typifying our Lord’s broken body and the fruit of the vine typifying out Lord’s shed blood remitting our sins.

We abhor the popish doctrine of transubstantiation, which is unholy, idolatrous and superstitious. Neither do we hold to Consubstantiation, which is not harmonious to God’s Word.

The Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance, to be observed by the members of the local church. Therefore, let every believer - before they partake of it, examine themselves and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup as oft as it is observed by the church till He comes.

The Officers: This we believe and contend that God in His infinite wisdom and mercy chooses a man who is regenerated, scripturally baptized, ordained by the parent local church, and genuinely called into the gospel ministry to lead and feed the flock which God has given him.

The assembly according to its ability is instructed to support its ministers and its families. The Pastor is to feed the Flock, care for the Flock, exhort, rebuke, and he is to give an account to God for the Flock. The Pastor is to do the work of an evangelist, while fulfilling the Great Commission, leading the church by his example.

The deacon is to be chosen by the church to be a help to the Pastor and a service to the church. As the Pastor is given to prayer and the ministry of the word, the deacons are responsible for those areas that are material and necessary. Like the Pastor, they must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, vigilant, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre and one that ruleth his own house having his children in subjection. If and when the deacon concludes that he cannot fulfill his office in good conscience, then he is to remove himself that all things may be decent.

Duties of Members: The members of the church ought to respect and prefer one another that they may perform all the duties of love towards one another both in soul and body.

Christians have a spiritual debtorship to this world and especially to God who is the source of all blessings both temporal and spiritual. Therefore, we are obligated to serve Him with our time, talents, and material possessions. Members are to contribute financially to and through the local church, cheerfully, systematically, proportionately and liberally for the advancement of the gospel on earth.

Faithful attendance is expected of every member, that the church may be one, abounding in the work of the gospel and united until the Lord’s coming.

Members are obligated to be doers of the scriptures remembering that their testimony to the unbeliever is very precious. Every member should be personally concerned for the church and its endeavors especially in teaching the lost. Every member is expected to join a church of like faith and practice if departure is necessary.

Every member in order to be well pleasing to God must be supportive in their prayers, in their presence, in their moneys and in moral support to the local church; this is the practical Christian life.

Church Discipline: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of His Church, has given the church subordinate power and authority to exercise church discipline. This well-being, orderly government is for the Lord’s own glory, and the church’s.

After Christian admonition and reproof, the impenitent person is severed by reason of his sins from the communion of the saints for his future good, and the wrath of God is denounced against him until the time of his contrition and reformation. This would be a person who has either belied his profession by his conduct, or who without reasonable cause abandoned the holy assemblies showing that they have no interest in the different needs of the church.

After the brotherly exhortations for the disciplined member to repent, exclusion will follow; yet loving and tender prayers are to be made for the professing brother or sister until they are restored or removed by God Almighty. This person or persons must be avoided by all the members of the church, whether it be eating or drinking, or other such like social matters. In short, we are to have nothing to do with him, so that we may not be defiled by his conversation, being partakers of his sins. That (he or she) may be ashamed, afflicted in his mind, convinced in his conscience, and thereby, induced to amend his ways. Yet, we are not to treat such offenders as enemies, but exhort them as brethren, in order to bring them to a knowledge of their sins and to repentance so that they may become reconciled to God and to His church.

Church Perpetuity: The Lord Jesus Christ started His church, built it upon Himself and his apostles, and purchased it with His own blood. The New Testament Church is a local and visible assembly. Although many are false that go by the same name, the Lord’s New Testament Church is the Baptist Church, which has been preserved and perpetuated for 1900 years.

We contend that our origin did not proceed from the Roman Catholic Church; therefore, we are not to be considered of the Reformation Protestant offspring. One can trace the Lord’s true church through the Montanists (second century) the Novations, the Donatists (third century; which were also called Puritans and Anabaptists), the Waldenses, the Paulicians and Albigenses in the Middle Ages. It must be stated that there does not exist any saving efficacy in Baptist church membership. Therefore, one must first be born again, and then scripturally baptized to come into fellowship with the Lord’s Church.

Missions: We believe in home evangelistic missions and foreign evangelistic missions. We should take the Lord’s Great Commission very seriously as it was given to the local church. We are to preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ near and far, baptizing the converts, organizing churches and teaching them all things whatsoever the Lord hath commanded, having the promise of His presence with His church until the end of the age.

Having a deep love and devotion to the Lord first, then a love and burden for lost souls perishing, is the heart of evangelism and missionary endeavors. Only God can save souls through the finished work of Christ, yet, we are to redeem the time, labouring earnestly that Jesus Christ and Him crucified may be preached to every creature.

17. THINGS TO COME

The Present State of the Dead: The bodies of men after death return to dust to see corruption, but their souls and their spirits (which are neither annihilated nor sleeping) having immortal subsistence, immediately enter a prepared place called Heaven, or a place prepared for the devil and his angels, called Hell. Those in heaven, created in holiness are with Christ and behold the face of God in light and glory waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. The wicked that are in Hell remain in fiery torment and utter darkness reserved unto the judgment of the Great Day.

The Second Coming of Christ: The Second Coming of our Lord is in two phases. The first phase is those who have died in Christ and have preceded the living having their bodies on that grand morning (commonly called The Rapture) raised incorruptible.

When the trump of God shall sound, we which are still living shall be changed in a moment - in the twinkling of an eye and this mortal shall put on immortality. We shall then be translated from this old vile world to be with our Lord and Saviour and inhabit the place He has prepared for us.

This coming is believed to be very soon, yet no man knoweth the day or hour. Therefore, we are to be patient, watching and waiting till He comes for us. This translation of saints precedes the Great Tribulation, which is followed by the Millennium. Christ's coming is a literal one, and not to be confused with the second phase which is at the closing of the Great Tribulation.

The second phase is at the close of the Great Tribulation in which the battle Armageddon will be terminated; the Lord and King Jesus Christ will come with His saints following and riding upon white horses to take fiery vengeance upon the Anti-Christ, the false prophet and all unbelievers.

This terrible coming will bring the fury and the fierceness of the Almighty’s wrath as He shall stand upon the Mount of Olives and every eye shall see Him. They shall cry for the mountains and the rocks to fall upon them and hide them from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

The Bema Seat of Christ: This is not a judgment which determines the mortals destination, nor is it a judgment concerning the sins and transgressions committed on the earth. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ washes away every sin that His chosen people commit. Therefore, the redeemed do not suffer the wrath of God, for they were judged in Christ Jesus due to His finished work of redemption.

This particular judgment is to test what every individual Christian did for their Lord, and to reveal their motives that we may be rewarded. Therefore, let us ever be abounding in the work of the Lord, remembering that God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love, in order that we may not be ashamed before Him at His coming, and that we may receive a full reward.

The Great Tribulation: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened." This time of Jacob’s trouble follows the event known as the Rapture and is terminated by the Lord’s Coming during the battle of Armageddon. The span of time is approximately seven years, divided in the middle (called the Abomination of Desolation) making the last three and one half years many times more vile and devastating than the first. This is a time of terrible judgment upon Israel and the inhabitants of the earth, who have not been blessed to be part of the Rapture. As time of famine, pestilence, privation, war, increased demon activity, one world church, one world economy, a time of earthquakes, signs in the heavens, and a time of such fearful unrest that men will yearn for death. After the translation and resurrection of true believers, strong delusion and God’s decree will determine that unbelievers which heard the gospel will believe a lie, and will surely be damned.

Of The Anti-Christ: This man of sin (also called the son of perdition) is an idol shepherd who will lead an organized rebellion against our Lord Jesus Christ. He will be a powerful individual with much charisma and with divers miracles. He will control the world’s Religious system called the Mother of Harlots, also known as the Roman Catholic Church. This vile person shall blaspheme God, and set himself up to be God, putting to death all who refuse to take the Mark and worship him.

His reign will last seven years until the battle of Armageddon when the King of Kings will destroy him and the false prophet, and cast them into the lake of fire.

Of The Battle of Armageddon: This terrible battle shall take place at the end of the Great Tribulation. The location will be just north of Jerusalem and south west from the Sea of Galilee, in the valley of Megiddo (also called Jezreel and the Valley of Jehosphaphat).

In this valley the Anti-Christ, his confederate nations and the King of the east will come to take prey upon Israel and to vainly imagine to overthrow the Lord and His armies of Heaven. The Lord Omnipotent will roar out of Zion and will tread the winepress of God’s wrath until the blood of all the wicked flows up to the horses bridle.

Restoration of Israel: We believe that the Lord of Zion will bring His people (Israel) back to the promised land, and He shall be their King. According to the election of God, He has left a remnant which will be regenerated and converted. Israel will recognize their Redeemer, the Messiah of Israel and the Jesus of Nazareth (whom their fathers crucified as an imposter with following generations equally condemned by their approbation) followed by unfeigned repentance and godly sorrow. We also recognize that in this present century God has been raising up the nation of Israel, fulfilling numerous prophecies.

The Thousand Year Reign of Our Lord: We believe and contend that the Lord’s reign is literal, universal, and physical. It shall follow the second advent and the Battle of Armageddon. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is King of Kings, shall sit on the throne of David and shall rule with a rod of iron dashing His enemies into pieces.

Satan shall be bound for a thousand years by a strong angel and a strong chain. God will let him lose for a short season, that he may be glorified by destroying Satan when he confronts the Holy City.

The thousand year Sabbath shall be enjoyed by every Christian as we will be in our glorified bodies reigning with Christ. The Lord God Omnipotent shall establish and maintain peace, so that the Lion shall eat straw like an ox, the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, a sucking child shall play on the hole of an asp, and all people will come to God’s Holy Mountain to worship in His millennial temple. Therefore let us be faithful, praying, "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven."

Purgation of the Universe: We believe that God is going to make all things new. God will cause this earth, with its many pollutions, and the pollutions of the universe to burn with a fervent heat, purifying them unto His holiness, and making a new heaven and a new earth for His elect to enjoy.

References: II Peter 3:12-14; Isaiah 66:22-24; Revelation 21:1.

The Great White Throne Judgment: God bath appointed a day wherein He will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In that Day not only the apostate angels, but likewise all those who died in their sins, shall appear before the Tribunal of Christ. Of this great and terrible day, the Almighty God shall judge, shall reveal men’s hearts, and shall weigh every soul only to find that they are altogether too light. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Every poor soul will be made to see their own wretchedness, every poor soul will be made to see the absence of their name in the Book of Life, and those souls (both small and great) will hear those terrible words, "Depart from me, I never knew you."

Final State of the Wicked: After the Great White Throne Judgment the Holy Bible says that "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." This second death is eternal separation from God. The Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone is the final abode of Satan, the Anti-Christ, the False Prophet and all those who died without the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Forever consigned to eternal torment and darkness, without a glimmer of hope, reprieve or mercy from God.

The Final State of the Righteous: "Eye bath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God bath prepared for them that love Him." We that are redeemed look for a New Heaven and a New Earth, "for a city which bath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes and with our glorified bodies we shall walk on the street of pure gold.

The New Jerusalem, a foursquare city, where there is no need of the sun, neither of the moon, has the glory of God and the Lamb to lighten it. It is a city where the pearly gates will remain open all the day, with no fear of any intruders and only those that have been written in the Lambs book of Life may enter.

Therefore, let us rejoice and labor diligently in the vineyard of our King until He comes. That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end." "Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus!"