Declaration of Faith
We believe:
The Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, and that it is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
There is only one true and living God, the Creator and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth, and that he is revealed under the personal distinction of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, creating distinct, but harmonious officers in the great work of redemption.
Man was created in a state of holiness, but by voluntary transgression, committed sin, and fell from that state. In consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice, and are therefore under just condemnation to ruin.
The salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through Jesus Christ, God the Son, who took upon himself, our nature, yet without sin, honored the law by his obedience, and made atonement for our sins by his death, and being risen from the dead is now enthroned in glory, a mediator and all sufficient Savior.
We are justified by faith in Christ, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the righteousness of Christ, imputed to the believers.
That the blessings of salvation are free to all by the Gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a living faith, and that it is a voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, that prevents the salvation of the sinner.
In order to be saved, we must be regenerated (born again). That rejuvenation consists, in the renewal of the heart by the agency of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. The evidence of the change is found in the Holy Spirit which we bring forth to the glory of God.
God saves his people and calls them with a holy calling, not according to their works, but according to his own purpose and grace, and this doctrine, usually termed the doctrine of election, being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man. It comprehends all the means in the connection with the end, that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, and at the same time, it tends greatly to encourage the use of means.
That such only are real believers as endure unto the end, being kept by the power of God through faith, unto salvation.
The inability of man to keep the law of God arises entirely from his love of sin and to deliver him from condemnation and restore him to unfeigned obedience is the great end of the Gospel and of the visible church.
The church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant, in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, and governed by his laws. Its only officers are pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Epistle of Timothy and Titus.
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit to show forth our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It is the prerequisite to the privilege of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper.
At the last day, Christ will descend from Heaven and raise the dead, that all must appear before the judgement seat where the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy. This judgement will fix forever the final state of men in Heaven or Hell, according to the principles of righteousness.