OUR BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

Nature of Man:
Man is by nature a sinner (Eph. 2:3). He is a member of the fallen race (Rom. 5:18)

Salvation:
The Bible teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through man’s faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation is a free gift and cannot be earned or deserved. Man receives Christ by saving faith, trusting, obedient, faith.

Water Baptism:
Water baptism is immersion in water of a penitent believer. In the New Testament church, every believer was commanded to be baptized (Acts 2:38). Baptism symbolizes cleansing and forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), new birth (John 3:5), circumcision of the heart (Col. 2:11-12), death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4), and salvation (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is not an option for the true believer. While it doesn’t impart salvation, it is an acid test of our true faith in Christ.

Eternal Security:
Once we are saved, become a son of God, and are sealed with His Spirit (Eph. 1:13) we are secure in Christ. Jesus said, “No one shall snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) While we have security in Christ, we need to heed (Heb. 6:4-8).

Holy Spirit:
Once we are saved, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). We are sealed with that Spirit. We are baptized by one Spirit into the body (1 Cor. 12:13). We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) which means to be totally controlled by the Holy Spirit. Evidence of the Spirit’s presence is the fruit produced by the Spirit and visible for all to see (Gal. 5:22).

Church Government:
The Bible teaches that elders are to be the governing body of the church. Their qualifications are listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The body of believers are to obey the elders in the sense of submission to them as men of God (1 Pet. 5:5; Heb. 13:17). The role of elders is to shepherd the flock of God (1 Pet. 5). In the New Testament church some elders were paid, those who worked full time in preaching and teaching
(1 Tim. 5:17).

Lord’s Supper:
Jesus established two ordinances, the Lord’s Supper and baptism. The Lord’s Supper is to be observed by repentant, contrite believers, who have examined themselves (1 Cor. 11:23-32). There is no set frequency of partaking of the Lord’s supper laid down in the New Testament, but we make it available at least weekly.

Second Coming of Christ:
There are many opinions and positions held regarding the rapture, the second coming, judgment, etc. Many differing elaborate charts have been prepared, each holding a different position. It is enough that Jesus will return again to this earth and gather His church (1 Thess. 4:17). It will be at a time when no one expects it (2 Pet. 3:10). Jesus made the personal promise that He would return to this earth (John 14:3).

Spiritual Gifts:
All of the spiritual gifts are available for all ages, however, God is Sovereign, and the Spirit bestows gifts on whom He will (1 Cor. 12:11). While sign gifts (tongues, healings, interpretations, miracles, etc.) are possible today, they must be operated according to principles laid down in Scripture, and under the oversight of the elders of each local body.

Ministry of Healing:
The Bible teaches that if the sick desire, they may call for the elders of the church to come, anoint them with oil and pray. (James 5:14-15).

Worship and Praise:
God inhabits the praise of His people (Ps. 22:3). The Bible teaches, and in fact commands believers, to praise the Lord, and worship Him (Ps. 150). Praise may be expressed by clapping and shouting (Ps. 47:1), by singing (Ps. 95:1), by bowing (Ps. 95:6), by kneeling (Ps. 95:6, and by lifting hands (Ps. 63:4). Worship is the pouring out of all of our being in adoration to God.

Church Discipline:
Biblically, we are to follow the steps of Matthew 18:15 in the case of a sinning brother or sister. Immorality is to be dealt with in love but concisely (1 Cor. 5:1). The Bible states that believers in the body are to judge other believers (1 Cor. 5:12) and that the church is to be obedient and submissive to its spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:17).