STATEMENT OF FAITH

To set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed, we send forth the commonly believed confession of faith held among us, as follows:

 

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I. OF THE SCRIPTURES

II. OF THE TRUE GOD

III. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

IV. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN

V. OF THE CREATION

VI. OF THE FALL OF MAN

VII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION

X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

XI. OF JUSTIFICATION

XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

XIII. OF THE CHURCH

XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS

XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

XIX. OF MISSIONS

XX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING

XXI. OF THE FAMILY, MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

 

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I. OF THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible is (a) verbally and plenary inspired of God; (b) that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; that consequently it is infallible and inerrant in all matters of which it speaks; and (c) therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried; and (d) that the Holy Bible is preserved and available to us today.

(EXPLANATORY)

1. By "THE HOLY BIBLE" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word and Words of God. These 66 books total 1,189 chapters. We reject all apocryphal chapters and books not contained in this canon.

2. By "INSPIRATION" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. We believe the King James Bible is the inspired Word of God by reason of its preservation.

3. We believe that the Texts which are faithful to the original autographs of the Bible are the Masoretic Hebrew Text of the Old Testament, and the Textus Receptus Greek Text of the New Testament, and that the King James Bible is a true and faithful translation of these two providentially preserved Texts and is exactly what God would have for us in the English language.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) II Tim. 3:16-17. " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

II Pet. 1:19-21. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

Acts 1:16. "Which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas."

Acts 28:25. "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias, the prophet unto our fathers."

(b) Psa. 119:160. "Thy word is true from the beginning."

Psa. 119:106. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psa. 119:130. "The entrance of thy words giveth light."

Luke 24:25-27. "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."

John 17:17. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

Luke 24:44-45. "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."

(c) Psa. 119:89. "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

Pro. 30:5-6. "Every word of God is pure...Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."

Rom. 3:4. "Let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

I Pet. 1:23. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

Rev. 22:18-19. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life."

John 12:48. "The word that I have spoken ... shall judge him in the last day."

Isa. 8:20. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Eph. 6:17. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Rom. 15:4. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

Luke 16:31. "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

Psa. 19:7-11. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."

John 5:45-47. "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

John 5:39. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

(d) Psalm 12:6-7 "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

Isaiah 59:21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."

II. OF THE TRUE GOD                                                                   Menu

We believe that there is (a) one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; (b) inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; (c) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Ex. 20:2-3. "I am the Lord thy God....Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Gen. 17:1. "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect."

I Cor. 8:6. "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."

Eph. 4:6. "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

John 4:24. "God is a spirit."

Psa. 147:5. "His understanding is infinite."

Psa. 83:18. "Thou whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

Psa. 90:2. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

Jer. 10:10. "But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation."

(b) Ex. 15:11. "Who is like unto thee... glorious in holiness?"

Rev. 4:11. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

I Tim. 1:17. "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Rom. 11:33. "O he depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out."

Mark 12:30. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength."

(c) Matt. 28:19. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

John 15:26. "When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."

I Cor. 12:4-6. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."

I John 5:7. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

John 10:30. "I and my Father are one."

John 17:5. "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

Acts 5:3-4. "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost,...?thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

I Cor. 2:10-11. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."

Phil. 2:5-6. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."

Eph. 2:18. "For through him (the Son) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

II Cor. 13:14. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."

III. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT                                                               Menu

That the Holy Spirit is a divine person; (a) equal with God the Father and (b) God the Son and (c) of the same nature; (d) that He was active in the creation; (e) that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; (f) that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; (g) that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; (h) that He is the agent in the New Birth; (i) that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer; (j) that He can be obeyed and resisted.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) John 14:16-17. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

(b) Matt. 28:19. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

(c) Heb. 9:14. "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

John 14:26. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Luke 1:35. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

(d) Gen. 1:1-3. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."

(e) II Thess. 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

(f) John 16:8-11. "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

(g) John 14:26-27. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."

Acts 5:30-32. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

(h) John 3:5-6. "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

(i) Eph. 1:13-14. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

Luke 24:49. "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

John 16:13. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

John 14:26. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Rom. 8:14. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Rom. 8:16. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."

II Thess. 2:13. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."

I Pet. 1:2. "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."

Rom. 8:26-27. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

(j) I Pet. 1:22. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently;"

Acts 7:51. "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."

 

IV. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN                                                      Menu

We believe that Satan was once (a) holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and (b) drew after him a host of angels; that he is now (c) the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. (d) We hold him to be man's great tempter, (e) the enemy of God and His Christ, (f) the accuser of the saints, (g) the author of all false religions, the chief power behind the present apostasy; (h) the lord of the antichrist, and (i) the author of all the powers of darkness-destined however (j) to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and (k) to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

(EXPLANATORY)

We do not believe that the name: ‘Morning Star’ is an appropriate name for Lucifer. Many modern versions (ie.The New International Version) have replaced ‘Lucifer’ with a name that can only be connected with our God and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ("I Jesus...am... the bright and morning star." Revelation 22:16). To call Lucifer the ‘Morning Star’ is blasphemy.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Isa. 14:12-15. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

Ezek. 28:14-17. "Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God, and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee."

(b) Rev. 12:9. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Jude 6. "The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

II Pet. 2:4. "God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment."

Eph. 2:2. "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air."

John 14:30. "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."

(c) I Thess. 3:5. "When I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you."

Matt. 4:1,3. "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.... And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."

(d) I Pet. 5:8. "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

(e) Zech. 3:1. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

I John 3:8. "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

Matt. 13:25, 37-39. "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. .... He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil."

Luke 22:3-4. "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve, and he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them."

(f) Rev. 12:10. "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

(g) II Cor. 11:13-15. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Mark 13:21-22. "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."

(h) I John 4:3. "Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

II John 7. "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."

I John 2:22. "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

(i) Rev. 13:13-14. "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live."

(j) II Thess. 2:8-10. "Then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

Rev. 19:11, 16, 20. "I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image."

Rev. 12:7-9. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Rev. 20:1-3. "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him."

(k) Rev. 20:10. "The devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

Matt. 25:41. "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

V. OF THE CREATION                                                                      Menu

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and (a) that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; (b) that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; (c) that because of the fall of man that image has been marred, and we now bear the image of Adam; (d) that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; (e) that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."; (f) that evolution is contrary to the Word and laws of God; (g) that God’s work of creation was complete on the sixth day;

(EXPLANATORY)

We deny that there is a ‘gap’ between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. We reject theistic evolution as an unscriptural compromise. We believe the earth is about 6000 years old and not millions or billions of years old.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a)Gen. 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Ex. 20:11. "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is."

Acts 4:24. "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is."

Col. 1:16-17. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

Heb. 11:3. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

John 1:3. "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."

Rev. 10:6. "And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer."

Rom. 1:20. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead."

Acts 17:23-26. "Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men."

Jer. 10:12. "He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion."

Neh. 9:6. "Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all."

(b) Gen. 1:26-27. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

I Cor. 11:7. "Man... is the image and glory of God."

(c) Gen. 5:3. "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth."

(d) Gen. 2:7. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Gen. 2:21-23. "And the lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man."

(e) Gen. 1:11. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."

Gen. 1:24. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so."

(f) Psalm 102:25-26. "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed."

(g) Gen. 1:31-2:2. "And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made."

VI. OF THE FALL OF MAN                                                             Menu

We believe (a) that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but (b) by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, (c) in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and (d) therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a)Gen. 3:6,24. "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. So he (the Lord God) drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."

(b) Rom. 5:12. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

Rom. 5:19. "By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners."

(c) Rom. 3:10-19. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."

Eph. 2:1,3. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

Rom. 1:18. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."

Ezek. 18:19-20. "Yet ye say, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."

(d) Rom. 1:32. "Knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Rom. 1:20. "So that they are without excuse."

Rom. 1:28. "They did not like to retain God in their knowledge."

Gal. 3:22. "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

VII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH                                                                    Menu

We believe (a) that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; (b) born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and (c) that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Gen. 3:15. "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

(b) Isa. 7:14. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Matt. 1:18-25. "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord hod bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."

Luke 1:35. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Mark 1:1. "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

John 1:14. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father)."

Psa. 2:7. "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."

Gal. 4:4. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law."

(c) I John 5:20. "This is the true God, and eternal life."

I Cor. 15:47. "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven."

I Tim. 3:16. "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN                                                   Menu

We believe (a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; (b) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; (c) that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; (d) that His atonement is not a limited atonement but is available to those sinners who repent and trust Christ for salvation; (e) that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour; (f) that, the shed blood of Christ is necessary for salvation and that our great High Priest, the Lord Himself, sprinkled His precious blood on the mercy seat in Heaven as an eternal atonement for sin.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Eph. 2:8,9. "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

Acts 15:11. "We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved."

Rom. 3:24. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

(b) John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Matt. 18:11. "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."

Phil. 2:7. Christ Jesus "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."

Heb. 2:14. "That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil."

Isa. 53:4-7. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth."

Rom. 3:25. "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."

I John 4:10. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins."

I Cor. 15:3. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."

II Cor. 5:21. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

(c) John 10:18. "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."

Phil 2:8. "Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Gal. 1:4. "Who gave himself for our sins."

I Pet. 2:24. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the free, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

I Pet. 3:18. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God."

Isa. 53:11. "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."

Heb. 12:2. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

(d) I Tim. 2:6. "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

(e) I Cor. 15:20. "But now is Christ risen from the dead."

Isa. 53:12. "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Heb. 9:12-15. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats.... sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

Heb. 7:25. "Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

I John 2:2. "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

(f) Hebrews 8:2&5 "A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man...Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."

Hebrews 9:11 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION                                              Menu

We believe (a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; (b) that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; (c) that it is instantaneous and not a process; (d) that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; (e) that the new creation brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the Word of God, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; (f) that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) John 3:3. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

(b) II Cor. 5:17. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

(c) Luke 5:27,28. "He said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him."

I John 5:1. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God."

John 3:6-7. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

Acts 2:41. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Acts 16:30-33. "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him, the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And ... was baptized, he and all his, straightway."

(d) II Pet. 1:4. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

Rom. 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Eph. 2:1. "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."

II Cor. 5:19. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

Col. 2:13. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses."

(e) John 3:8. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit."

John 1:12-13. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

(f) Gal. 5:22. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."

Eph. 5:9. "The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth."

X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION                                                 Menu

We believe (a) in God's electing grace; (b) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; (c) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by repentance and faith; and (d) that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; (e) which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) I Thess. 1:4. "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

Col. 3:12. "The elect of God, holy and beloved."

l Pet. 1:2. "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."

Titus 1:1. "The faith of God's elect."

Rom. 8:29-30. "Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

(b) Matt. 11:28. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Isa. 55:1. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

Rev. 22:17. "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."

Rom. 10:13. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

John 6:37. "And him that cometh to me l will in no wise cast out."

Matt. 3:2 "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

(c) Isa. 55:6. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near."

Acts 2:38. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

(d) Isa. 55:7. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

John 3:15-16. "Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

I Tim. 1:15. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

I Cor. 15:10. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain."

Eph. 2:4-5. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)."

John 5:40. "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."

(e) John 3:18. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:36. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

XI. OF JUSTIFICATION                                                                            Menu

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; (a) that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; (b) that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Acts 13:39. "By him all that believe are justified from all things."

Isa. 53:11. "By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many."

Zech. 13:1. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."

Rom. 8:1. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Rom. 5:9. "Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Rom. 5:1. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

(b) Titus 3:5-7. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Rom. 1:17. "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Hab. 2:4. "But the just shall live by his faith."

Gal. 3:11. "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."

Rom. 4:1-8. "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

Heb. 10:38. "Now the just shall live by faith."

XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH                                                        Menu

We believe that Repentance and Faith are (a) solemn obligations, and (b) also inseparable graces, (c) wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; (d) thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; (e) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Acts 20:21. "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

(b) Mark 1:15. "Repent ye, and believe the gospel."

(c) Acts 2:37-38. "They were pricked in their heart, and said.... Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."

(d) Luke 18:13. "And the publican...smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."

Rom. 10:13. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Psa. 51:1-4. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."

Psa. 51:7. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Isa. 55:6-7. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

(e) Luke 12:8. "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God."

Rom. 10:9-11. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

XIII. OF THE CHURCH                                                                             Menu

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; (b) observing the ordinances of Christ; (c) governed by His laws; and (d) exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; (e) that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; (f) we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church by baptizing converts into membership; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; (g) we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; (h) that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; and that the Scriptures are the sole and only judge of the measure and method of church cooperation; (i) that on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church as guided by the Scriptures is final, and;(j) that the New Testament church is a local, not universal, institution and is the only organization the Lord gave the authority to carry out the ‘great commission’.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Acts 2:41. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

(a & b) Acts 2:42. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

(b) I Cor. 11:2. "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them unto you."

(c) Eph. 1:22-23. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, and the fullness of him that filleth all in all."

(d) Eph. 4:11. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

I Cor. 12:4,8-11. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; To another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues: to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and self same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

(e) Acts 14:23. "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

Acts 6:5-6. "And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor and Timon, and Parmenas and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them."

Acts 15:23. "And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia."

Acts 20:17,28. "He sent.... and called the elders of the church.... Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

I Tim. 3:1-7. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

I Tim. 3:8-13. "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

(f) Matt. 28:19-20. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: reaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."

(g) Col. 1:18. "And he is the head of the body, the church;... that in all things he might have the preeminence."

Eph. 5:23-24. "Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ."

I Pet. 5:1-4. "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

(h) Acts 15:22. "Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren."

Jude 3-4. "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

II Cor. 8:23-24. "Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."

I Cor. 16:1. "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia even so do ye."

Mal. 3:10. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Lev. 27:32. "The tenth shall be holy unto the Lord."

I Cor. 16:2. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him."

(i) I Cor. 6:1-3 "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"

I Cor. 5:11-13. "I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

(j) I Cor. 12:27 " Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

Matt. 28:18-20 "...All power is given unto me...Go ye therefore...I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER                                   Menu

We believe that Christian baptism is (a) the immersion in water of a believer; (b) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church; (c) to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (d) that it does not wash away sin or play any part in the sinner’s salvation but is an obedient response to the Scriptures; (e) that it is the means by which a child of God is brought into fellowship in a local church and the privileges of a church relation and the Lord's supper; (f) in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; (g) preceded always by solemn self-examination; and (h) that we are sure that Christ used the fruit of the vine or new wine, not fermented, intoxicating wine when He instituted the Lord’s Supper.(i) and that the ordinance was given to churches and in order to guard the supper from those not in harmony with the Lord, we hold to a closed communion.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Acts 8:36-39. "And the eunuch said, See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest...And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip."

Matt. 3:6. "And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."

John 3:23. "And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Rom. 6:4-5. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."

Matt. 3:16. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water...."

(b) Matt. 28:19. "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

(c) Rom. 6:3-5. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."

Col. 2:12. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

(d) I Pet. 3:20-21. "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

(e) Acts 2:41-42. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Matt. 28:19-20. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

(f) I Cor. 11:23-28. "The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: for this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."

(g) I Cor. 11:27-28. "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."

(h) Matt. 26:29. "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

Mark 14:25. "Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

(i) I Cor.11:20a "When ye come together therefore into one place..."

I Cor.11:29 "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS     Menu

We believe (a) that such only are real believers as have been born again by the Spirit of God; (b) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; (c) that it is possible for the saint to be backslidden, but this condition will always result in the chastening and correcting hand of our heavenly Father; (d) that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and (e) that salvation can never be lost and the saints of God are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) I Peter 1:23. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

Col. 1:21,23. "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. . . If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel."

(b) I John 2:19. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

Matt. 13:19-21. "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart... But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

(c) Jer. 3:22. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God."

Heb. 12:6-8. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons."

(d) Rom. 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Matt. 6:30. "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O, ye of little faith?"

Psa. 121:3. "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber."

Heb. 1:14. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

(e) John 10:28. "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

I Pet. 1:5. "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

Phil. 1:6. "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

John 10:28. "And l give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

John 10:29. "No man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

John 16:8. (The Spirit) "will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."

Rom. 8:35-39. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED                                   Menu

We believe that (a) there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; (b) that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; (c) while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; (d) and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved, in a place called Heaven and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost, in a place called the lake of fire.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Mal. 3:18. "Then shall ye return, and discern the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."

Gen. 18:23. "And Abraham.... said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?"

Rom. 6:17-18. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

Pro. 11:31. "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner."

I Pet. 4:18. "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

(b) Rom. 1:17. "The just shall live by faith."

I Cor. 15:22. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Acts 10:34-35. "Then Peter... said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with him."

I John 2:29. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."

I John 3:7. "He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."

(b & c) Rom. 6:16. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

(c) I John 5:19. "And we know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness."

Gal. 3:10. "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse."

Rom. 7:6. "We are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."

Rom. 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death."

(d) Prov. 14:32. "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death."

Luke 16:25. "Thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."

Matt. 25:34,41,46. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels... And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

John 8:21. "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go ye cannot come."

Luke 9:26. "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."

John 12:25. "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

Matt. 7:13-14. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Rev. 21:1a "And I saw a new heaven..."

Rev. 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT                                                           Menu

We believe that civil government is (a) of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; (b) that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; (c) except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word; (d) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Rom. 13:1,3. "The powers that be are ordained of God... For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil."

II Sam. 23:3. "The God of Israel said,... He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

Ex. 18:21-22. "Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons."

(b) Acts 23:5. "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."

Matt. 22:21. "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

Titus 3:1. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work."

I Pet. 2:13-14. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well."

I Pet. 2:17. "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

(c) Acts 5:29. "We ought to obey God rather than men."

Acts 4:19-20. "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Dan. 3:17-18. "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

(d) Matt. 10:28. "And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul."

Matt. 23:10. "One is your Master, even Christ."

Rev. 19:16. "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

Phil. 2:10-11. "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Psa. 72:11. "Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him."

XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

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We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. of the Resurrection, (a) we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" (b) that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" (c) that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" (d) "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" -bodily, personally and visibly; (e) that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" (f) that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" (g) "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" (h) and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet."

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Matt. 28:6-7. "He is not here: for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; and there shall ye see him."

Luke 24:39. "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have."

John 20:27. "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing."

I Cor. 15:4. "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

Mark 16:6. "Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified; he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

Luke 24:3-6. "And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And.... as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee."

(b) Acts 1:9. "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Acts 1:11. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

Luke 24:51. "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."

Mark 16:19. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. "

Rev. 3:21. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

Heb. 8:1. "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."

Heb. 12:2. "Looking unto Jesus.... who.... is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

(c) "Heb. 8:6. "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises."

Tim. 2:5. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

John 2:1. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous."

Heb. 2:17. "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

Heb. 5:9-10. "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

(d) John 14:3. "And if I go. . .I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Acts 1:11. "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

I Thess. 4:16. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven."

Matt. 24:27. "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Matt. 25:13. "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

James 5:8. "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

Matt. 24:42. "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

Heb. 9:28. "Unto them that look for him shall he appear a second time without sin unto salvation."

(e) I Thess. 4:16. "The dead in Christ shall rise first."

I Cor. 15:42-44. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."

I Cor. 15:52. "And the dead shall be raised incorruptible."

(f) I Cor. 15:51-53. "Behold I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump... and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

I Thess. 4:17. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds."

Phi. 3:20-21. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body."

(g) Luke 1:32. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."

Isa. 9:6-7. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Acts 2:29-30. "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne."

(h) I Cor. 15:25. "For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet."

Isa. 32:1. "Behold. a king shall reign in righteousness."

Isa. 11:4-5. "But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins."

Psa. 72:8. "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth."

Rev. 20:1-4. "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

Rev. 20:6. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

XIX. OF MISSIONS                                                                                   Menu

We believe (a) that the command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches; we do not accept mission boards or any other ecclesiastical bodies, associations, or fellowships as Scriptural organizations for doing the Lord’s work; the local church is God’s organization for getting His work done here on earth; further, (b) other methods for doing church work may produce results but do not enjoy the blessings of eternal reward; (c) it is churches doing God’s will and work God’s way that bring Christ honour and glory.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Matt. 28:18-20. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Mark 16:15. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

John 20:21. "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

Acts 1:8. "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Acts 13:1-4. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers... As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed..."

Rom. 10:13-15. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."

(b) II Tim. 2:5. "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."

(c) Eph. 3:21. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

XX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING                                                            Menu

We believe (a) that scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith; (b) that we are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week, as the Lord has prospered us, (c) that under grace we give as the Lord has commanded us concerning tithes and offerings(d) that we are commanded to bring our tithes and offerings into the common treasury of the church; (e) that giving is a foundational doctrine and that tithing is only a part of what the Scriptures teach on this subject.

(EXPLANATORY)

Tithing is taught as a scriptural practice before (Gen.14:20b), and after (Matt.23:23) the Law was given to Moses. To say tithing is legalism is false. In fact the practice of the early churches was the concept of ‘grace giving’ as practiced throughout the book of Acts and as discussed in II Cor.8,9,10,& 11.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) II Cor. 8:7. "Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."

(b) I Cor. 16:2. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."

(c) Heb. 7:2,4. "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."

Matt. 23:23. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

(d) Lev. 27:30. "The tithe is the Lord's."

Mal. 3:10. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Acts 4:34-35&37. "&ldots;and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: &ldots;Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."

(e) John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave."

II Cor. 9:6-9. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever."

Matt. 6:42. "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."

Mark 14:7. " For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always."

II Cor. 9:15. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

XXI. OF THE FAMILY, MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

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We believe (a) the family was ordained of God; (b) that marriage is a life-long, exclusive covenant between one man and one woman; (c) that human sexuality is a good gift from God to be enjoyed only in the bonds of marriage; (d) that sexual activity outside of scriptural marriage is an abomination and sin; (e) that homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, bestiality, adultery and premarital sexual relations do not constitute marriage nor can ever be pleasing to God; (f) that divorce is not taught except for fornication (unscriptural marriage arrangements-ie; incest) or abandonment (where the offending individual leaves the marriage or sues for divorce); (g) and, that because of the teaching of the scriptures a divorced person can never marry(which would be to commit adultery), be a pastor or a deacon.

(EXPLANATORY)

The word fornication as used in the Bible has a broader meaning than is commonly meant today. The word fornication as used by Jesus in Matt.19:9 has reference to the unlawful unions listed in Lev.17. The unscriptural marriage of I Cor. 5:1-5 is an example in the New Testament of a situation that had to be stopped by a divorce or a 'putting away'. There is also historical evidence that in the Jewish economy there was a betrothal period (usually one year) which could be broken if one of the spouses committed fornication before the marriage was consummated.

Remarriage is only permitted when the spouse dies and then "only in the Lord." I Cor. 7:39c.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

(a) Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

(b) Matt. 19: 6b "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Romans 7:2 "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband."

(c) I Cor. 7:3&5a "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband ... Defraud ye not one the other ... "

(d) Lev. 18:29 " For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people."

(e) Leviticus 18:24 "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things..."

(f) Matthew 19:9 "...except it be for fornication..."

I Cor.7:15a "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart."

(g) I Cor. 7:11 "But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife."

Romans 7:3a "So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:"

I Tim.3:2a "A bishop then must be... the husband of one wife..."

I Tim.3:12a "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife..."

"THE GRASS WITHERETH, THE FLOWER FADETH: BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD SHALL STAND FOR EVER." ISAIAH 40:8