Doctrinal Statement

The Scriptures

We believe in the authority of the Holy Scriptures. The original manuscripts were given by inspiration of God and were without error (2 Pet. 1:21; Prov. 30:5). We believe that God has preserved His word with absolute perfection (Ps 12:6-7). We believe the infallible, inerrant complete word of God is available in the English language in the Authorized King James Version. This complete 66 book Bible is our final authority in all matters.

God

We believe in one God that eternally exists in the unity of the Godhead as the Father, the Word (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Ghost (Mt. 28:19; Jn. 10:30; 1 Jn. 5:7). The three Persons of the Trinity exist in the same divine nature, essence and being. They are co-existent and co-equal and each One has a distinct office in the work of Redemption. He is perfect in holiness, worthy of all honour, glory and praise. God is the divine creator, sustainer and ruler of the universe and the author of eternal redemption for man through Jesus Christ.
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), virgin born (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:23), without sin (Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21), crucified, risen (1 Cor. 15:3-4) and coming again to rapture (receive) His church (1 Thes. 4:14-17), then returning to establish His kingdom with His saints on the earth after a seven year period of tribulation and wrath (2Thes. 1:7-10; Rev. 20:1-6).

Salvation

We believe salvation is a gift that is available to all men by grace through repentance and faith in the finished work and atoning sacrifice of the perfect lamb of God, Jesus Christ (Eph.2:8-9; Rom 6:23; 2 Pet. 3:9). It is not of works or of our own merit or goodness of any kind (Titus 3:5; Gal. 2:16). Salvation provides a pardon for sin and the gift of eternal life as the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to us (Rom. 4; Titus 3:5-7).

We believe to be saved a sinner must be born again (Jn. 3:5). This is an instantaneous occurrence and not a process and for man to be saved he must respond to the gospel in repentant, obedient faith (Jn. 1:12; Acts 16:31; 2 Cor. 7:10).

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal in divine nature with the Father and the Son and that He was an active part of creation, He convicts of sin, indwells the believer and seals them until the day of redemption. He also ministers to the believer as the Comforter and by teaching and bringing to remembrance things that we have read and learned about God’s word. (Jn. 16:7-8; Eph. 4:30).

Church

We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons. We believe that members should gather to minister to one another, work together to reach the world for Christ, fellowship, encourage, pray and be taught the word of God (Mt. 28:19-20; Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:41-42). We believe that an Independent Baptist church is made up of baptized believers and has the right of self-government under the headship of Christ and not a hierarchy of organizations and people. Working with other churches for the furtherance of the gospel and defense of the faith is appropriate but that all other matters of church government, discipline and membership are to be established at the individual independent church level. We believe in cheerful scriptural giving of our tithes and offerings and that it be done systematically through the local church (Mal. 3:8-10; Mt. 6:21; 2 Cor. 9:6).

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that water baptism is a public testimony made by the saved Christian and is to be done by immersion and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and also represents that in Christ we are become dead to sin and alive unt God to walk in newness of life (Mt. 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-5).
We believe the Lord’s Supper to be a time of remembrance of the breaking of the Lord’s body and shedding of His precious blood. It is a time of self examination for the Christ with a stern warning to not partake unworthily (1 Cor. 11:23-29). We believe that the Lord's supper is to be observed strictly by the saved and baptized members of that local Baptist church.

Missions

We believe it is the responsibility of every believer to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ personally as well as by supporting missions through prayer, and giving of their means to finance the missionary efforts of the church (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:46-48; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:13-15). Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. He is not willing that any should perish. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. God has made Christians to be His ambassadors to take the Gospel to the uttermost part of the earth. The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few. We must redeem the time and spread the gospel with urgency.

Eternity

We believe all individuals that reject the Lord Jesus Christ will be responsible for the payment of their sins through spending eternity in the conscious suffering of a literal lake of hell fire (Rev. 20:15; Lk. 16:23; 2 Thes. 1:8-9). We believe that those receiving the the gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the glorious presence of God (Jn. 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:8).

Creation

We believe in the literal Genesis account of creation that God spoke the world into being and that man was created in the likeness of God. We do not believe in the false teachings of evolution but that God created and that species reproduce after their own kind (Gen. 1, 2; Rom. 1:20; Heb. 11:3).

Separation

We believe all saved individuals should be separate from the sinful ways, desires and philosophies of this world, being holy in mind and body (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Prov. 18:1). We do not believe that righteousness comes by keeping laws and commandments but by a heart that is changed and desires the things of God. We believe that as an individual draws nigh to God and God draws nigh to him that the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of sin will grow dimmer and less appealing. The inner man is changed and consequently it becomes reflected in the outward areas of life (Jms. 4:8; 1 Tim. 2:9-10; Mt. 5:14).

Civil Government

We believe that God’s purpose for government is for the good order of society and justice (Rom. 13:1-7). We believe it is a Christians duty to be responsible law abiding citizens so long as the law requires nothing that is opposed to God’s will (Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:11-17). We believe that any attempt by the state to interfere with the working of the church is a violation of God's purpose.

Satan

We believe that Satan is a created being that was once holy but fell through pride and rebellion and in doing so drew many angels with him. He now acts as a roaring lion seeking to devour. He is a thief, a murderer, a liar, and a great tempter. He is responsible for all false teachings and cults and is the enemy of God. His end will be at the hands of Jesus and will spend eternity in the hell that was prepared for him and his angels (1 Pet. 5:8; Ezek.28:14-17; Isa 14:12; Rev. 20:10)

The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created without sin but chose voluntarily to break the law of his Creator making him guilty without excuse before God. All of mankind since Adam and Eve have been guilty of sin as well (Rom. 3:10-23; 5:12).

Resurrection

We believe that Jesus Christ arose bodily from the grave. We also believe that this resurrection assures all believers the same bodily resurrection when the Lord returns for His saints at the time of the Rapture. There will also be a resurrection of the unsaved to stand in the judgment before the Lord, known as the Great White Throne Judgment. (1Thess.4:13-18; 1Cor.15:51-58; 1Thess.3:13; Rev.19:11-16;20:1-6; Titus 2:13; Act.1:9-11).