"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." -2 Timothy 3:16-17
We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired Word and revelation of God in its original writing, and is the final authority for faith and practice.
(Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Peter 1:16, 21)
We believe that there is but one true and living God, eternally existing, and manifesting Himself to us in three divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
(John 15:26; 14:25; 16:13-15; 10:30,36; 17;22; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 90:1-2; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13)
We believe in the virgin birth and the deity of Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is true God and true Man.
(Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:1,3,8-10)
We believe in the substitutionary atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; that to fulfill the Old Testament He was crucified on the cross, suffering great pain, and being forsaken by God the Father, tasted death for every man, and that out redemption is made sure to us by His resurrection.
(John 3:1-19, 6:44-58; Hebrews 9:2; 1 Peter 1:18,21; Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 27:46)
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; that to fulfill the Old Testament He was crucified on the cross, suffering great pain, and being forsaken by God the Father, tasted death for every man, and that He is now at God's right hand as our Mediator, High Priest and Advocate.
(Acts 3:12-26; John 20; Hebrews 9:24; 1 Corinthians 15:28; 1 John 2:1; Romans 4:25).
We believe in our Lord's bodily, personal,and imminent return to catch away His church before the Great Tribulation and in His return with His Church at the end of the Great Tribulation and in His subsequent millennial reign upon the earth.
(Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10-11; 19:11-16; 201-6; 1 Cor. 15; Matt. 25:31-46)
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, in this present age indwells all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. At the time of the believer's conversion, the Holy Spirit baptizes him into the body of Christ and seals him unto the day of redemption. We believe that every believer is commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 8:8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) *note- constitutional amendment of December 18, 1983: We do not teach or practice the doctrine of tongues within the corporate body of the church.
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
(Genesis 1:27; 2:17; 3:6,22,24; Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5)
We believe in the universality and exceeding sinfulness of man; that sin is the moral transgression of the known laws of God, and that is is the lack of conformity to the will of God.
(Exodus 18:4; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10,23; 5:12)
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age. He seeks to deceive the elect and keeps blinded the mind f the unbeliever. He is the author of all the powers of darkness and of sin. He will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
(Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4, Revelation 20:10)
We believe that salvation is by grace, and although freely offered to all men, it is conditioned upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We further believe that all believers once saved shall be kept by the power of God.
(Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1,9; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:1, 35-39; John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6)
We believe that heaven is a place of eternal blessedness and that hell is a place of eternal suffering.
(Matthew 6:20; 25:41; Revelation 21:8; 20:1-15, 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4)
We believe that all saved persons are asked to abstain from all sinful practices. We believe that all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ should maintain good works.
(Romans 12:1,2,21; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; James 4:4; 1 John 2:1-17; Ephesians 4:1; Titus 2:11-14; James 2:14-20)
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is composed solely of those who have been redeemed and washed in His blood, regenerated and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and that they are saved to worship and to serve; that it is the responsibility and privilege of all who are saved to seek throughout the world to win others to Christ; that they should seek to live holy lives, yielding themselves to God and forsaking all that might dishonor Him.
(Matthew 16:16-18; Revelation 1:5; Titus 3:5,12; Ephesians 1:13-15; Titus 3:7,14; Luke 24:47)
We believe there are two ordinances.
BAPTISM: We believe that baptism is a public testimony of a believer's faith in and identification with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Baptism is the immersion of the cover in water and is properly called "Believers Baptism" All who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior shall be urged to make this step of obedience to the Lord's command.
(Galatians 3:26-27; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38,41; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12).
THE LORD'S SUPPER: We believe that the Lord's Supper (or Communion) is a memorial service, instituted by Christ Himself, and sets forth in sacred and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. It should be observed by all true believers, and only true believers should share in it.
(1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 10:16; Luke 22:19-20)
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead, in the conscious, everlasting blessedness of the saved; and in the conscious, eternal punishment of the lost.
(John 3:16; Romans 6:22-23; Matthew 25:34-41; Jude 24; Mark 9:42-48; Revelation 20:11-15)
OCS