We believe the Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments alone, to be the word for word, verbally inspired Word of God (2 Peter 1:21), inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16–17) in the original writings, and that it is the sole final authority in faith and practice. (Matthew 4:4; John 17:17)
We believe that God has preserved His Word in copies and translations so that the Bible as we have it today is the inerrant Word of God. (Psalm 12:6–7; Matthew 24:35)
We believe in a normal literary interpretation of the Scriptures that is illuminated through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:17–18; 2 Timothy 2:15)
We believe that Scripture is to be understood within a dispensational framework. That is, recognizing that God’s dealing with mankind has been in accord with His progressive revelation. Salvation has always been by faith in Christ alone. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Section Two: Theology (Doctrine of God)
We believe there is one God (1 Timothy 2:5) eternally existent in three coequal persons: Father (John 17:1), Son (John 1:1, 14), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4).
We believe that God created all things in six days (Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11). He sustains the created universe (Nehemiah 9:6). The primary purpose of God’s eternal plan is His glory (Ephesians 1:5–6; Revelation 4:11).
Section Three: Christology (Doctrine of Christ)
We believe that Jesus Christ has always existed and is God (John 1:1–2, 14; 8:58).
Jesus was born of a virgin (Luke 1:30–35; Isaiah 7:14) as a man (Philippians 2:5–8).
He was sent by the Father to accomplish the plan for the redemption of mankind (1 John 4:14; Ephesians 1:7).
He fulfilled this through his perfect life without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21), sacrificial death (Colossians 1:14), and bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
He is currently in heaven mediating for us as our Prophet (Acts 3:20–23), Priest (Hebrews 7:25–28), and King (Revelation 17:14).
He will return to gather his church in the rapture (John 14:1–4; Acts 1:9–11).
Section Four: Pneumatology (Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person (John 14:16–17) and is God (1 Corinthians 3:16).
He is actively involved in the understanding and application of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:12–14).
He convicts the world of sin (John 16:7–11), is instrumental in the salvation of the believer (Ephesians 1:13–14), oversees the spiritual growth of the believer (Romans 8:14), and oversees the giving of spiritual gifts to believers (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30; Ephesians 4:11).
All spiritual gifts are given for a specific purpose; the gifts purposed for the initial establishment of the Church are not normally given or normally in use today (1 Corinthians 13:8–10).
Section Five: Anthropology (Doctrine of Mankind)
We believe Adam and Eve were the first of all mankind. They were created sinless, with free will, and in the image of God by a direct act of God on the sixth day of creation (Genesis 1:26–27; 2:7) for the purpose of having a relationship with God and thereby bringing Him glory forever (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Mankind was created with three parts: a body, a soul, and a spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Through the creation of Adam and Eve, God intentionally and exclusively established marriage to be between one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:23–25).
We believe that Adam was the representative of mankind (Romans 5:12). As such, his choice of sin is passed to all born after him. This choice affects all of mankind (Romans 3:10, 23) and results in physical and eternal death (Romans 6:23).
Section Six: Hamartiology (Doctrine of Sin)
We believe that sin is any violation of God’s standard, whether willful or unintentional (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10, 23; 1 John 5:17). Satan is one of the created angels, the author of sin, the tempter of man, and the declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–19).
We believe that the death of Jesus Christ was the full and only payment for every person’s sin (Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 2:9). This payment is not applied to you until you accept it by faith as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5). This is called salvation and has been made available to everyone (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3–6). Salvation is from God and can never be taken away (John 10:28–30; Philippians 1:6). Those who accept this salvation are called Christians (Acts 11:26).
We believe that accepting salvation begins the process of being set apart from sin unto God, called sanctification. Christians have been sanctified from the penalty of sin (1 Corinthians 6:11). Christians are being sanctified from the power of sin (Romans 8:28–29). Christians will be sanctified from the presence of sin in heaven (Romans 8:23).
Section Seven: Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Body of Christ)
We believe that the church is comprised solely of believers indwelled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:13–16). It was established for the purposes of witnessing (Matthew 28:19–20), of discipleship (Ephesians 4:12; Titus 2:1–8), and of worship (Hebrews 10:24–25). The church is formed of autonomous local assemblies (Acts 2:41–47) that are representative of the complete Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2). Members of a local church are believers who have been both saved and baptized by immersion (Acts 2:41).
We believe the local church has two biblical offices: pastor (Titus 1:5, 7) and deacon (1 Timothy 3:1–8). The local church has two biblical ordinances: the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26) and baptism (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 8:38–39). The local church is to be organized under the rule of all the members. (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:4)
We believe the local church must maintain purity in all its purposes (Acts 15). This includes, when necessary, separation from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17), separation from false believers (2 Timothy 3:1–5), and separation from erring believers (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
Section Eight: Eschatology (Doctrine of the End of Time)
We believe there are prophecies in the Bible that have not yet been accomplished. These prophecies foretell of the end of time. The first of these prophecies we call the rapture. The rapture is only for the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51–53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17; Titus 2:13), will happen before any other outstanding prophecy (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–8; Revelation 3:10), and can happen at any moment (1 Thessalonians 5:1–2). After the rapture, the Body of Christ will stand before the judgment seat of Christ in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 3:10). While that is happening, all people left on earth will go through a seven-year period call the tribulation or Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:26–27). This is designed for the ungodly to experience God’s wrath (Matthew 24:15). After the judgment seat and tribulation, Christ will descend from heaven and return to earth. This is called the second coming of Christ (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:27–31; Revelation 19:11–21).
We believe the second coming ushers in the millennial reign of Christ on earth. During this 1,000 years Christ will be the sole King, and Satan will be bound until the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:1–9). After these 1,000 years, all people who have not been saved will be judged at the great white throne judgment by Christ. All these people will be cast in to the lake of fire with Satan and his angels (Revelation 20:10–15). Then the last of the unaccomplished prophecies will come to pass. This universe will be completely destroyed by fire, and God will bring forth a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 66:22, Revelation 21:1–4). This is where all believers of all ages will be with God forever.
