DECLARATION OF FAITH
PREAMBLE: We believe the sixty-six books of the Bible are inspired of God in their original writings.
To the best of our ability as the Spirit of God has given us understanding this declaration defines in broad
terms that which we believe the Bible teaches concerning each of the doctrines included in this statement.
The purpose of this statement is to provide the basis for doctrinal unity within this body of believers. It is
not the intent of this statement to exclude from mutual fellowship in Christ other local churches which may
have differences in doctrinal belief from this statement. The local church must have doctrinal unity. There
is room for diversity from church to church provided that such diversity does not become heresy. Our
Declaration of Faith, while not directly inspired, is the position of this body of believers that seeks to know
and do the will of God. "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all
agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same
judgment." (1 Cor. 1:10) "Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like minded, live
in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (II Cor. 13:14)
The following principles will assist in the application of this Declaration of Faith in specific situations.
1.) This statement represents the corporate Declaration of Faith of this Fellowship.
2.) Persons who join this Church accept this Declaration in good conscience and without reservation
to its major tenets. This does not require that a person must agree with every detail. Where
differences may exist, they may be discussed with the Pastor or Elders. If differences are
sufficient in the minds of the Pastor or Elders, they may recommend in the spirit of love and
fellowship that membership in the fellowship of believers be delayed or another fellowship
considered where differences would not exist.
3.) Church members and those who serve in any capacity are not free to teach or advocate among the
congregation doctrines or doctrinal interpretations that differ in substance from this declaration of
faith.
4.) Bible study groups or other group studies or ministries which are held under the auspices of this
fellowship or advertised in our fellowship shall not be contrary to this Declaration of Faith.
5.) Should a question of fidelity to this Declaration of Faith be reported or observed within the
ministries of this Fellowship, it shall be the responsibility of the Pastor and Elders to review and
resolve the question.
6.) The Declaration of Faith shall not exclude a guest speaker or person to minister to us who may
differ with us on matters within this Declaration of Faith. The Pastor and Elders will exercise
judgment in these cases and, where appropriate, advise the guest.
7.) Should a person who is a member of our fellowship change his/her view and commitment to this
Declaration of Faith, it shall be incumbent upon him/her to inform an Elder and to consider along
with the Pastor and Elders the advisability of continued membership in this fellowship. Please
refer to Article V, Section E on reconciliation.
WE BELIEVE…
A. We believe that the Bible is divinely inspired, completely trustworthy in its entirety, and that it is
the only full, final, complete and infallible revelation of God from God to man. It is the complete
rule of faith and conduct. Hence, we recognize no other authority above the Bible. II Timothy
3:16-17.
B.
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:16-17.
C.
We believe in God the Father, creator of the universe, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom,
measureless in power. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that
He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through
Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1, II Timothy 1:9.
D. We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy
Spirit, born of a virgin, sinless in His life, making atonement for the sins of the world by His
death, by Whom we are saved. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven,
and His pre-millennial visible return to the world according to His promise. John 1:1-3, Matthew
1:20, Hebrews 4:15, II Corinthians 5:17-21, Luke 24:39, Acts 1:9-11, I Thessalonians 4:17.
E.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, of
righteousness and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and comfort those who believe in Jesus
Christ. John 16:7-14, Romans 8:9, 8:14-16.
F.
We believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners, but that "God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life": (John 3:16). We believe, therefore, that those who accept Christ as Lord and
Savior will rejoice forever in God's presence, and those who refuse to accept Christ as Lord and
Savior will be forever separated from God. Ephesians 2:2-3, Romans 3:23, John 3:3, John 5:24,
I John 5:12, Revelation 20:12-15.
G. We believe in the Church - a living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and of which all
regenerated people are members. Ephesians 1:17-2:1.
H. We believe that a local church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, associated for worship,
work, fellowship and the persuasion of the unsaved to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
We believe that the inevitable by-products of this fellowship are human betterment and social
improvements. We believe that the Scriptural order for church membership is always: (1)
salvation, publicly confessed, (2) baptism by immersion, (3) church membership. This doctrine
is known as "regenerate church membership." Acts 2:37-47.
I.
We believe that the Bible teaches the observance of only two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's
Supper. Therefore, this church is committed to the observance of these ordinances only. Matthew
28:19, I Corinthians 11:26.
1. We believe that the only Biblical mode of baptism is by immersion. Baptism is the outward
sign of an inner experience, and thus symbolizes the believer's death to sin, burial of the
old life, and resurrection to newness of life in Christ. Baptism does not save and should
only follow belief in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Therefore, we do not believe in
infant baptism. Romans 6:3-6.
2. We believe that the Lord's Supper, or Communion, is an ordinance symbolizing the giving
of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins. It is observed in remembrance
of the atoning work of Christ. It is to be received only by believers who are living in
obedience to the Lord, according to their own consciences. I Corinthians 11:23-29.
J. We believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in matters of faith. We believe
that everyone who believes in the finished atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ has the right
to direct access to God, and that no priest, church, nor decree can come between the believing
soul and His Lord. Romans 14:12, I Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 4:14-16.
1.
2.
We believe that the local church is a self-governing autonomous unit. Christ alone is
the head of the church. Each local church is the seat of final authority, which is vested
in the body of believers who compose it, and thus the necessity for any higher body to
exercise authority or to legislate is eliminated. While this principle of autonomy is
insisted upon, we realize the value of fellowship with believers of like faith.
Association or affiliation with others must remain on a voluntary basis, but on such
basis we may form local, area, state, or national associations as long as such
associations have no judicial authority over the local congregation.
We believe, therefore, that each church is independent and must be free from
interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that, therefore, Church and
State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free
from the dictation or patronage of the other.
K. We believe that God created mankind as male and female for the purpose of a heterosexual
relationship within the confines of marriage. We further believe that marriage is a God ordained
and biblically based union between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:46; Mark 10:6-9)