Articles Of Faith
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired
that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore
is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final
revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union, and
the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be
tried.
We believe the Authorized (King James) Version Old and New Testaments are the
Word of God kept intact for English-speaking peoples by way of God's divine
providence and work of preservation; and that the Authorized Version translators
were not "inspired", but were merely God's instruments used to preserve His
words for English-speaking peoples.
A. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of 66 books, from Genesis to
Revelation, which, as or originally written does not only contain and convey the
Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
B. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy
men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that
their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as
no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite,
intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of Heaven and earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence
and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing
distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
That the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God
the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His
relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil one until God's purpose
is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He
bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is
the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses,
sanctifies, and helps the believer.
IV. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honor; but through
pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of
angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the 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 false religions,
the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-christ, and
the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however to final defeat at
the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a
place prepared for him and his angels.
V. OF CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted
literally and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly
in God's own image and after his own likeness that man's creation was not a
matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through
interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and
vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was they should bring
forth only "after their kind".
VI. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but
by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence
of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and
therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
VII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous
manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be
born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the
mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely
took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His
personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our
sins. His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a
martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinners place, the
Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on
the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and
uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection.
He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a companionate and an
all-sufficient Saviour.
IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. The new
birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a
process; that in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a
partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God.
The new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by
culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the
power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our
voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy
fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made
free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them
by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith, and not prevent the salvation of the
greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection
of the gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
XI. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as
believe in Him is Justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin and
the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness. It is bestowed not in
consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely
through faith in the Redeemer's blood through which His righteousness is imputed
unto us.
XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also
inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God;
thereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the
way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession
and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus
Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.
XIII. OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a local Church is a congregation of baptized believers
associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the
ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and
privileges invested in them by His Word. Its officers are pastors (Elders,
Bishops) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly
defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the Church is found
in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build
up the Church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not
believe in the reversal of this order. 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. It is scriptural for true Churches to cooperate with
each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel.
Every Church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its
co-operation. on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, and
benevolence, the will of the local Church is final.
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in
the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority
of the local Church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith
in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin
and resurrection to a new life. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of a
Church relation and to the Lord's supper, in which the members of this Church,
by the sacred use of bread and unfermented wine are to commemorate together the
dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that
their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes
them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their
welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal
salvation.
XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the
righteous and the wicked, that such only as through faith are justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly
righteous in His esteem. While all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief
are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among
men both in and after death in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the
everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests
and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for,
conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming
Prince of the kings of the earth.
XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND
RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scripture upon these subjects at their
face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily
"The third day according to the Scriptures; "that He ascended "to the right hand
of the throne of God;" that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God;" that this same Jesus which is taken up from you
into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into
heaven"--bodily, personally and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise
first;" that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye at the last trump;" "that the Lord God shall give unto Him
the throne of His Father David:" and that Christ shall reign a thousand years in
righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet."
XIX. OF MISSIONS
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and
this Commission was given to the Churches.
Matt. 28;18-20; "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them. Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature."
John 20:21: "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Rom. 10:13-15: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear
without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is
written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and
bring glad tidings of good things!"
XX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.
II Cor.8:7; "Therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith and utterance,
and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound
in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (Common treasury of
the Church) upon the first day of the week.
I Cor. 16:2; "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him
in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I
come."
Under Grace we GIVE and do not pay, the tithe.. "Abraham GAVE the tenth of
the spoils" - Hebrews 7:2-4, and this was four hundred years before the law, and
is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye
ought to have done" --Matt. 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the
Church.
Lev. 27:30, "The tithe is the Lords." Mal. 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes
into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive
it."
In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the Church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, "And brought the prices of the things that were sold and
laid them down at the apostles feet. . . Having land sold it and brought the
money and laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET."
XXI. OF SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD
We believe that all the saved are called into life of separation from all
worldly and sinful practices.
XXII. OF THE LORD'S DAY
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day and is to be kept
sacred to religious purposes, by the devout observance of all the means of
grace, both private and public; and by preparation for the rest that remaineth
for the people of God.