Core Beliefs
We, as a body, agree in believing, proclaiming and contending for certain basic biblical doctrines as essential to the true Christian faith. We affirm that without these fundamental truths there is no basis for unity of Christian fellowship. We believe these absolute essentials to be:
The verbal inspiration, the absolute authority and the infallible accuracy of the Bible as God’s Word in original manuscripts. We therefore affirm that the Bible must be the rule of faith and practice of every true Christian.
The deity, the virgin birth, the vicarious, atoning death and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead.
The fallen nature of man, the absolute need for regeneration and the concept that salvation is by no other name save the name of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as a body, we believe that with brotherly love, Christians, as individuals, may properly cooperate with all who:
Claim and evidence lifesaving faith in Christ as Savior
Firmly believe and confess the above essentials of faith
Though they may differ on lesser matters of faith, do not judge one’s doubtful thoughts (Romans 14:1-6).
We, as a local body, for the purpose of “speaking the same thing, that there be no divisions (among us)…that we may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgement,” believe in and confess the following articles of faith:
Water baptism by immersion, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (in the person of Christ and not merely a formula), follows true repentance. We believe every person who has truly repented will follow in water baptism (Mark 16:16).
We affirm that all who truly repent are entitled to and should earnestly desire and expect the “promise of the Father” (Acts 2:38, 39).
We hold that speaking in tongues has a twofold aspect: The first element is speaking to God (1 Cor 14:2, 5). The second element is speaking to men (1 Cor 14:28-39). The former is unlimited, unrestricted and unrepressed (1 Cor 14:30), limited (1 Cor 14:27) and, under certain conditions, forbidden altogether (1 Cor 14:28). With the operation of the Spirit under the first aspect, the speaker worships God and edifes himself (1 Cor 14:2-4). Under the second aspect, the speaker edifes the Church (1 Cor 12:7, 14:5,6).
The verbal inspiration, the absolute authority and the infallible accuracy of the Bible as God’s Word in original manuscripts. We therefore affirm that the Bible must be the rule of faith and practice of every true Christian.
The deity, the virgin birth, the vicarious, atoning death and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead.
The fallen nature of man, the absolute need for regeneration and the concept that salvation is by no other name save the name of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as a body, we believe that with brotherly love, Christians, as individuals, may properly cooperate with all who:
Claim and evidence lifesaving faith in Christ as Savior
Firmly believe and confess the above essentials of faith
Though they may differ on lesser matters of faith, do not judge one’s doubtful thoughts (Romans 14:1-6).
We, as a local body, for the purpose of “speaking the same thing, that there be no divisions (among us)…that we may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgement,” believe in and confess the following articles of faith:
Water baptism by immersion, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (in the person of Christ and not merely a formula), follows true repentance. We believe every person who has truly repented will follow in water baptism (Mark 16:16).
We affirm that all who truly repent are entitled to and should earnestly desire and expect the “promise of the Father” (Acts 2:38, 39).
We hold that speaking in tongues has a twofold aspect: The first element is speaking to God (1 Cor 14:2, 5). The second element is speaking to men (1 Cor 14:28-39). The former is unlimited, unrestricted and unrepressed (1 Cor 14:30), limited (1 Cor 14:27) and, under certain conditions, forbidden altogether (1 Cor 14:28). With the operation of the Spirit under the first aspect, the speaker worships God and edifes himself (1 Cor 14:2-4). Under the second aspect, the speaker edifes the Church (1 Cor 12:7, 14:5,6).
We believe in the five ministry gifts of Christ to the church, like apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These are anointed ministries given for the “maturing of the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ”. These ministries must operate in the church “till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:11-13).
We hold that healing for the body is provided for in the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ, for “By His Stripes we are healed” (1 Pet 2:24).
We believe that “spiritual growth” or “maturity” is the objective for every believer in the present life (Heb 6:1, Eph 4:13-14). Therefore, to be in harmony with God’s plan and purpose, there must be a continual spiritual development.
The ordinances of the Church are: Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We reject creeds which claim to be eternal, unchanging truth and take the place of the scriptures in instructing the Christian conscience.
We believe in and practice the doctrine of confirmation with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery and the spiritual gifts being confirmed by the Presbytery through prophetic utterance (1 Tim 4:14).
We hold that all of the manifestations of the Spirit are given to every man to profit (1 Cor 12:7). God is not the author of confusion but of peace in all churches of the saints (1 Cor 14:33), therefore, “let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40).
We believe in the literal, personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth (Matt 24:42-44, Acts 1:11) and that we should be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
However, a course of study that sets forth present beliefs and scriptural understanding may be prepared and used to instruct new Christians and new members of the fellowship.
Those who teach, preach and minister in the church are to do so in submission to the government of the church, including its doctrinal statements.
We hold that all of the manifestations of the Spirit are given to every man to profit (1 Cor 12:7). God is not the author of confusion but of peace in all churches of the saints (1 Cor 14:33), therefore, “let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40).
We believe in the literal, personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth (Matt 24:42-44, Acts 1:11) and that we should be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
However, a course of study that sets forth present beliefs and scriptural understanding may be prepared and used to instruct new Christians and new members of the fellowship.
Those who teach, preach and minister in the church are to do so in submission to the government of the church, including its doctrinal statements.