The following is a doctrinal summary and not an extensive explanation of what we believe. Anyone wishing to know more about our doctrine and teachings should contact the pastor for that information.
The Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible is the very word of God, in written form, given by inspiration and preserved by the power of the Holy Spirit through the ages. We believe that the King James Bible is the perfectly preserved Word of God for the English-speaking peoples. 2 Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
God
We believe that there is only one true God and He it is that created us and gave us life. We believe that God is known to us in three personalities: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These are not three gods but one. 1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Man
We believe that man was created by God “in the beginning” and was innocent and perfect as God intended until he exercised his will by disobeying God and therefor falling from innocence into a state of sinfulness and separation from God. We believe that every person since Adam has inherited his sinful nature and is in need of salvation or rescue from his sin. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
Salvation
We believe that Jesus Christ came to the earth with the purpose of making himself a sacrifice for the sins of man. We believe that by His blood alone can man be cleansed from his sin and be made worthy to enter into heaven when this earthly life ends. The essentials for salvation are repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Acts 20:21 “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Heaven
We believe in a very real heaven which God has prepared for those who will repent of their sin and put their faith in him. Heaven is a place of joy and peace where suffering and pain is not known. Once a person dies, they will spend eternity in heaven or hell. John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” 2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Hell
We believe in a literal fiery hell where the souls of those who reject Christ’s provision for their salvation are kept until their judgement at which time they will be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer forever for their rejection of Jesus’ blood sacrifice. Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
Baptism
We believe that baptism is the first step of faith for every new believer. Baptism is reserved for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. It’s method is immersion as taught in Scripture and it is the doorway to church membership. Baptism can only be administered by a true church of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Mark 1:10 “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:”
Church
We believe that a church is a local group of baptized believers whose only guide is the Bible and whose only mission is to teach and preach the Gospel of Christ. We reject the theory of a universal or invisible “church”. We believe that the church was established by Christ during his ministry on earth. Christ has given authority only to his churches to carry out his evangelistic work and therefore we do not support nor encourage the establishment of ministries that are not directly under the authority of their local church. Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Ephesians 1:22 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”
Ordinances
We believe there are two ordinances that Christ gave to his church: baptism and the Lord’s supper. Both are to be administered by the church to its members. We reject infant baptism and sprinkling as a method of baptism. We practice closed communion which means that only members of our local congregation may participate in the Lord’s supper. 1 Corinthians 11:24 “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
Missions
We believe that the primary purpose of missions is the establishment and support of the Lord’s churches. We believe that since the Lord has given his church the responsibility of evangelizing the world, we should do it biblically and earnestly. We participate giving of our finances in sponsoring missionaries to take the gospel to the world. We believe it is scriptural to cooperate with other local Baptist churches in the work of missions. Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Separation
We believe that the Christian should be a holy example to those who live around them. We are called to live separated lives for the cause of Christ. We endeavor to flee sin and worldly lusts. We take a scriptural stand against the evil works that abound in today’s society such as abortion, pornography, adultery, homosexuality, gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc. 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Marriage and the Home
We believe that marriage is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. We believe that the Bible clearly defines marriage and prohibits any sexual activity outside of that God ordained relationship. We condemn adultery, fornication, premarital sex, abortion, prostitution, homosexuality, and all other extramarital activity as sin that grieves God. Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Leviticus 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” also see Deut. 23:17, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corin. 6:9, and Jude 1:7
Resurrection
We believe that Christ rose bodily from the grave; that after forty days he ascended to the right hand of God, where He is today interceding for the saints; that He will someday return to earth, bodily, personally, and visibly, to establish His kingdom for a thousand years of righteous reign. We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the saved and the pre-millenial return of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” see also: Revelation 19:11-21
