Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. It is the only foundation required for a statement of faith. The Holy Bible is the full revelation of Almighty God. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Proverbs 30:5-6).

We subscribe to the doctrinal principles and statements found in the “Baptist Faith and Message” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. We are united in purpose and mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. We are committed individually and corporately to follow the divine leadership of the Holy Spirit to become complete in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:21-22; Matthew 18:19-20).

We Believe

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2).

Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and is coming again soon as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to redeem His bride, the church (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3.4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13).

The Holy Spirit is. co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make man aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, enables understanding of Biblical truth, and guides them in righteous living. He provides every Christian with spiritual gifts for service at the moment of salvation. We seek to live under His control daily (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18).

The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors who were under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. The 66 canonical books, as they were originally written, are inspired by God; and are the truth without any mixture of error (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:150, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; John 1:1).

People are the supreme object of God’s creation, created in the image of God. Although every person has potential for good, all of us are marred by our own attitude and acts of disobedience against God, called “sin.” By one man (Adam), sin entered into the world, and death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. This separates people from God and causes spiritual death along with many other problems in life (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6, 51:1-8; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 59:1-2).

Salvation is by grace through faith; and is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into His life by faith (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6: Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:23; Romans 5:1).

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Once born again, you cannot lose your salvation. Salvation is sustained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Heaven is a literal place where God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Believers will live forever in God’s presence. We also, believe in a literal hell, which is a place of physical and spiritual torment, experienced as a result of eternal separation from God. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

We believe that the true church is composed of all who have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. We also believe members of the true Church, which is the bride of Christ, are eligible for membership in the local church. God primarily ministers on earth through the local church. Christ is the head of the church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe that the local church should be independent, self-governing, and free from any denominational control (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 1:18).

We believe that God has given parents the responsibility to bring their children up in the nurture and discipline of the Lord. We believe that it is the parent’s responsibility to educate and disciple their children in the truth of God. We believe that the church must work to complement the parent’s efforts and facilitate Godly living within the home (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 24:15).

Jesus instructed His disciples to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the Church two visible symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders. These two ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. While we respect all acts of spiritual obedience, the Bible teaches that baptism is to be done by immersion, following salvation, as a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus Christ as Lord. The Lord’s Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, and promised return. Regardless, we do not regard anyone’s participation in these practices as a means of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20, 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, Colossians 2:12).

We believe that God calls us – with a holy calling – to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God wants us to live in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, so we will not fulfill the lusts of our physical bodies. We believe that the fallen, Adamic nature of the flesh cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, keeping ourselves constantly in subjection to Christ, we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to live through us in a daily “walk” of faith. Otherwise, the flesh will certainly demonstrate its presence in our lives, to the Lord’s dishonor. It is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek and to make growing disciples (Leviticus 26:30; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 3:15; Galatians 5:16).

We believe marriage is a divine institution between a man and a woman, constituted at the beginning before the origin of society. It was established by God in the Garden of Eden and was blessed by the presence of Christ and the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It is declared by the writer of Hebrews to be honorable among all men. Therefore, we believe Scriptural marriage is only the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:21-25; John 2:1-11; Hebrews 13:4). 

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God’s gift of sex (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4). 

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of destructive drugs or intoxicating drink as a beverage; to shun pornography; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.