We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 24:35; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; Psalms 119:89; Isaiah 55:8-11; I Peter 1:23)

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Matthew 28:18,19; Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16,17; John 14:16,17; 14:26; 15:26; Acts 5:3,4; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6; I Peter 1:2)

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in

holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; 4:24; Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 4:8; Romans 11:33; Psalms 104:24-35; Matthew 19:26; Psalms 139:1-24; Ephesians 1:3-14)

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; II Corinthians 5:21; John 1:1; 1:14; 8:58; 10:30; 11:38-44; Colossians 1:13-18; I Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 7:25; I Corinthians 15:1-58; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians 2:9)

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. He imparts spiritual gifts for Christian service, and edification and the fruits of Spirit for a Christ-like life. (John 14:16,17; 14:26; 16:7-11; 3:5,6; Romans 8:1-39; I Corinthians 12:4-13; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11,12; Galatians 5:22,23)

We believe that all men are sinners, by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We further believe that regeneration results in righteous living, good works and proper social concern. We further believe that those who are truly saved shall be kept saved forever. (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-19; 3:9-23; Romans 6:23; Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:14-17; John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:3-5)

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.(Ephesians 4:14-16; 1:22,23; 5:25-27; Acts 2:41,42; Matthew 16:13-18; Matthew 28:18-20)

We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well- being of his fellowmen; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others, the full stature of maturity in Christ. (I Corinthians 6:19,20; 10:31; I John 4:7-12; Colossians 3:1-17; Ephesians 4:11-32)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We recognize that baptism is an outward expression and testimony of personal regeneration. Furthermore, we affirm that personal salvation is the result of faith plus nothing (Ephesians 2:8,9). Nonetheless, because the New Testament is clear that baptism always followed regeneration for Christ’s earthly followers; we affirm this ordinance/command especially since it always appeared in the New Testament as a joyful act of testimony/witness of a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-39; Mark 1:9,10; Romans 6:3,4; Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-32)

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith. We believe that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We believe that God has ordained the state to provide a society in which we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all Godliness and honesty, and that He has ordained the church for the edification of the Body of Christ. If and when these two duties conflict, we ought to obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17; I Timothy 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:12)

We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with inter-denominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. (I Corinthians 16:1-3; Romans 15:25-27; 16:16b; Revelation 1:4, 11; Galatians 1:1,2)

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. (Matthew 24:3-51; 25:1-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; I John 3:2,3; II Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 20:1-15; 21:1-8; 23-27; 22:12-15)

A. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.(Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:25-33; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:2-12)

B. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. (I Corinthians 6:9-20; I Corinthians 7:1-5; I Corinthians 7:8,9; Ephesians 5:25-33; Hebrews 13:4-5; I Thessalonians 4:1-8)

C. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s gender, or disagreement with one’s biological gender is sinful and offensive to God. (Leviticus 18:16-30; Leviticus 20:13; I Corinthians 6:9-20; Deuteronomy 22:5; I Thessalonians 4:1-8)

D. We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses die. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as sin, except on the grounds of adultery or an unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse due to their faith in Christ. (I Corinthians 7:8-9; I Corinthians 7:10-16; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:2-12; Malachi 2:16; I Corinthians 7:39)

E. Therefore, we prohibit our licensed and ordained ministers to perform homosexual marriages on or off the church’s property. We also prohibit the church property from being used for homosexual marriages, celebrations, receptions or any other type of gatherings.

F. Additionally, we will not recognize the license or ordination of ministers whose sexuality does not conform to the above-mentioned institution of marriage.

We believe that children are a blessing from the Lord. Thus all human life is sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception. (Genesis 2:24; Psalms 127:3-5; 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:4-5)