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SECTION 1.
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is God's
infallible Word, written by men who were divinely and uniquely
inspired, and that it is our supreme authority in all matters
of faith and practice. We affirm our belief in the verbal
and full, complete and absolute inspiration of the Scriptures
in their original autographs.
SECTION 2.
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father, Creator
of Heaven and Earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom,
and measureless in power. We rejoice that He concerns Himself
mercifully in the affairs of men, granting the right of
the individual to directly approach Him in prayer, and that
He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through
Jesus Christ.
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Scripture References
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Genesis 1:1
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1 Corinthians 8:6
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Ephesians 1:3-6
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SECTION 3.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the pre-eminence of
Jesus Christ as our divine Lord and Master, God's only begotten
Son, born of a virgin, sinless in His life, who atoned for
the sins of the world by His death on the cross. We believe
in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His
High Priestly intercession for His people, and His personal,
visible, pre-millenial return to the world according to
His promise.
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Scripture References
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Isaiah 7:14
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Luke 1:1-5
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John 1:1-5
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Philippians 2:6-8
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Colossians 2:8-9
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Acts 1:9-11
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Acts 7:56
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1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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Hebrews 1:3
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Luke 12:40
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Acts 1:10-11
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1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
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Titus 2:13
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1 John 3:1-3
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Hebrews 1:3
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SECTION 4.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit who
came forth from God to convict the world of sin, of righteousness
and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, comfort, empower
and seal forever those who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe
that at the time of salvation, each believer in Christ is
baptized by the Holy Spirit and becomes a member of the
Body of Christ. Speaking in tongues is not the necessary
evidence of baptism by the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17; 16:7-11;Acts
1:8; Romans 8:9-13; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 12:13;
14:22.
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Scripture References
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John 14:16-17; 16:7-11
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1 Corinthians 14:22
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Acts 1:8
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Romans 8:9-13
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Ephesians 1:13
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1 Corinthians 12:13
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SECTION 5.
MAN'S SIN NATURE
We believe that all men are sinners
by nature and by choice, 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." We
believe, therefore, that those who accept Christ as Savior
and Lord shall be forever in God's presence, and that those
who reject Christ as Savior and Lord will be forever separated
from God.
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Scripture References
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John 3:16, 18, 36
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Acts 16:31
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Romans 3:23; 6:23
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SECTION 6.
THE LOCAL CHURCH We believe
that the local church is to be composed of regenerated believers,
voluntarily united together for the purpose of observing
the two Scriptural ordinances of Baptism by immersion and
the Lord's Supper, the worship of God, the fellowship of
believers, and the proclamation of the gospel of Christ
throughout the world. We believe in the complete independence
of the local church and its interdependence in association
with other like-minded churches, and the separation of church
and state.
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Scripture References
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Matthew 28:19
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Luke 22:19-20
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Acts 8:36-39
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1 Corinthians 11:23-29
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SECTION 7.
SPIRITUAL UNITY
We believe in the spiritual
unity of all believers, for which the Lord so earnestly
prayed.
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Scripture References
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John 17:20-21
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Covenant
Having been as we trust, brought
by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and
to give ourselves wholly to Him, we do now solemnly
and joyfully covenant with each other, TO WALK TOGETHER
IN HIM, WITH BROTHERLY LOVE, to His glory, as our common
Lord. We do therefore, in His strength, covenant:
That we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness
over each other, and faithfully and lovingly warn, exhort,
and admonish each other as occasion may require;
That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together,
but will uphold the public worship of God, and the ordinances
of His house;
That we will endeavor to conduct personal and family devotions
at home, including the great duty of the Christian training
of our children, and those under our care, for the service
of Christ, and the enjoyment of Heaven;
That, as we are the light of the world, and salt of the
earth, we will seek divine aid to enable us to deny ungodliness,
and every worldly lust, and to walk circumspectly in the
world, that we may be a testimony to men;
That we will cheerfully contribute of our property, according
as God has prospered us, for the maintenance of a faithful
and evangelistic ministry among us, for the care of the
needy, and to spread the Gospel over the earth;
That we will in all conditions, even till death, strive
to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
"And may the God of peace, who brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
make us perfect in every good work, to do His will, working
in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory, forever and ever. Amen.
" (Hebrews 13:30, 31)
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