What We Believe

Fall of Humanity:

We believe that men were created by God in a state of holiness, but because of disobedience, fell from that holy and happy state. Therefore, all humanity is now sinners in need of redemption.

Grace:

We believe in God’s grace. Grace is defined as God’s favor toward humanity which is undeserved and unmerited. Grace is a glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, love and care for humanity. Grace is available to all who believe in the Gospel and that it is the foundation of Christian assurance.

Way of Salvation:

We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through the mediatorial office of the Son of God. Jesus Christ, according to the will of God, assumed our nature (yet without sin) and by his death, made full atonement for our sin. We confess that Jesus Christ is in every way qualified to be suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.

Regeneration:

We believe that regeneration (a new birth) is the change brought on by the work of the Holy Spirit by which a sinner receives a new nature and a new spiritual life. In regeneration , a person’s affections are changed from sin and self to a love of holiness and God. The change is instantaneous effected solely by the power of God and evidence of the change is a new disposition of mind, the fruit of righteousness and a newness of life. Without regeneration, salvation is impossible.

Repentance:

We believe that repentance is a personal act. We accept that repentance is being godly sorry for sin accompanied by prayer for pardon and turning away from that which is unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated.

Faith:

We believe in faith. “For without faith, it is impossible to please Him”. Faith is believing what is written about Christ, trusting in Him and His work for salvation, and committing one’s self to Him. Consisting mainly of belief and trust, faith accepts God as true and real.

Justification:

We believe that justification includes a pardon of sin and promise of eternal life based on the principles of righteousness. Justification is not based on the righteous actions of any believer; but is bestowed upon the believer solely through faith in the blood of Jesus. Justification brings the believer into a state of peace and favor with God.

Adoption Into the Family of God:

We believe that adoption to mean, God the Father (for sake of and because of Christ) accepts believers into the state of being the children of God by a new and spiritual birth. As the children of God, believers become the heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ to the heritage of the saints on the earth and an inheritance reserved in heaven.

Sanctification:

We believe that sanctification is a process by which believers are made partakers of God’s holiness. This is a progressive and continuing work. It starts in regeneration; it is continued in the hearts of the believers by the Holy Spirit, to the heritage of the saints on earth and an inheritance reserved in heaven.

Perseverance of the Saints: (How we are kept)

We understand that persons who are truly regenerate (born again) are kept by the power of God, through faith and they will not fall away and perish; but will endure until the end.

Law and Gospel:

We take from the scriptures an understanding that the law of God is the eternal rule of his moral government and is holy, is just and is good. The great end of the gospel is to deliver humanity from its sinful nature and restore them to obedience to God and his law.

The Church:

We believe the church is a body of baptized believers, associated in the faith and fellowship of the gospel and observe the ordinances of Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church and to Him all allegiance, honor and obedience are due.

Baptism:

We believe that baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is a symbolic observance, which expresses our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior. Before a person may join a Baptist church or take part in the Lord’s Supper, baptism is a requirement.

Lord’s Supper:

We teach that the Lord’s Supper consist in the giving of bread and wine as symbols of Christ’s body and His blood to members of the church. The Lord’s Supper commemorates the suffering and death of our Lord. Its observance is to be preceded by faithful and honest self-examination.

Christian Sabbath (Why do we go to church on Sunday):

We accept Sunday (the first day of the week) as the Lord’s Day. We believe it is to be kept sacred by religious observances and for religious observances. The Lord’s Day observance celebrates and commemorates the Lord’s resurrection from the grave on the first day of the week.

Civil Government:

We believe that human government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of society. Public officials are to be prayed for and honored. They should be obeyed in matters which do not conflict with the will of Jesus Christ who is the Lord of the conscience. We also believe that civil rulers have no rights of control over, or interference with religious matters and the affairs of the church.

Righteous and Wicked:

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are those who, through faith in Jesus Christ are justified with God and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. All others who continue in unbelief are wicked. This distinction holds both for persons in this life and after death.

World to Come:

We believe that the end of the world is approaching. At the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, raise the dead and a solemn separation will take place. The wicked will be assigned to everlasting sorrow and the righteous will be assigned to everlasting joy. On the principles of righteous, persons will inherit either heaven or hell.