We teach that there is one and only one true and living God, an infinite Spirit who is the Maker and Supreme Ruler of the universe. We teach the Scriptures reveal Him to be holy, sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, eternal, unchangeable and full of love, justice, goodness, mercy and truth. Although there is only one God, we teach that in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and co-equal Persons; The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. We teach these members of the Trinity are the same in substance, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, but are distinct in subsistence, executing different but harmonious functions (Isa. 44:6; Matt. 3:16-17, 28:19; Mk. 12:29; Jn. 4:24, II Cor. 13:14). God the Father is the first person of the Trinity and orders all things according to His own purpose and grace. He is sovereign in creation, providence and redemption (Ps. 103:19; Rom. 11:36). He upholds directs, and governs all creatures and events. He is the Father of all mankind, of Israel, of the Lord Jesus Christ and of all who believe (Gen. 1:10-13; Ex. 4:23; I Chro. 29:11; Ps. 2:7, 145:8-9; I Cor. 8:6; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:11, 3:9, 3:15). God the Son is the second Person of the Trinity and is equal with The Father andHoly Spirit (Jn. 10:30, 14:9). He was the primary instrument of creation (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2). In the incarnation, He accepted all the characteristics of humanity and so became the God-man (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9). He was virgin born (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23, 25), lived a sinless life, and accomplished our redemption through His voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory death on the cross (Jn. 10:15; Rom. 3:24-25, 5:8; I Pet. 2:24). His literal, physical resurrection (I Cor. 15:20-23; Matt. 28:6) secured the justification and eternal life of all who place their faith in Him (Jn. 5:26-29, 14:19). It also confirmed His claims of Deity and Redeemer. As the head of the church He presently intercedes for believers (Heb. 7:25), leads the church (Eph. 1:22), and is preparing a place for His own (Jn. 14:2). He will return to receive the church at the Rapture (I Thess. 4:13-18), and establish His kingdom at the end of the Tribulation (Rev. 19:11-16). He is the final judge of all mankind (Rev. 20:11-15; Matt. 25:31-46). God the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and is equal with The Father and The Son. He is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity (Matt. 28:19; Jn. 16:13; Acts 5:3-4, 28:25-26; Rom. 15:13; I Cor. 2:10-13, 12:4-6, 11; II Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 9:14; Ps. 139:7-10; Isa. 40:13-14; Jer. 31:31-34). He was active in creation (Gen. 1:2), the incarnation (Matt. 1:18), the writing of Scripture (II Pet. 1:20-21) and the work of salvation (Jn. 3:5-7). He was sent by the Father and Son at Pentecost (Jn. 14:16-17, 15:26) to begin the church age (Acts 2:1-47; I Cor. 12:13). His ministry includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (Jn. 16:7-9), glorifying The Son (Jn. 15:26, 16:14), and transforming believers into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29; II Cor. 3:18; Eph. 2:22). He baptizes and regenerates all believers into Christ’s Body (Jn. 3:4-8; I Cor. 12:13). He also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers for service and seals all Christians (Rom. 8:9; II Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13). He is the Divine author of all Scripture (II Pet. 1:19-21) and fills (controls) obedient believers (Eph. 5:18). The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church for edification and evangelization. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (Jn. 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:6-8; I Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:11; II Cor. 3:18). We teach that the gifts of the Spirit can be divided into two broad categories-sign gifts and edifying gifts. Sign gifts are given to authenticate the message and messenger of the Gospel during times and in places where it has not been preached. Edifying gifts are given to the Church for the purpose of strengthening the Body. We teach that the gift offices of apostle and prophet (as foretelling) are foundational and revelatory in nature and are not for this day because the inspired canon is complete. The other non-revelatory gifts may still be exercised in times and places appropriate to them and within the guidelines for their exercise as defined in Scripture.  However, since the modern tongues movement in America has been the source of great confusion, debate and divisiveness within the Church, it is the position of this local Body not to condone nor promote the speaking of tongues within our services.

We teach mankind was created by God in His image. He was created without sin, with a free will and morally responsible to God (Gen. 2:7, 15:25; James 3:9). Man was to join all creation in bringing glory to God (Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11). Mankind sinned in Adam, lost his innocence, and incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death. He became hopelessly lost and incapable of being reunited to the Creator. Only God’s grace makes salvation possible (Gen. 2:16-17, 3:1-19; Jn. 3:36; Rom. 3:23, 6:23; I Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; I Tim. 2:13-14; I Jn. 1:8). All men are sinners by nature, by choice and by God’s declaration (Ps. 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:1-8, 23, 5:10-12).

We teach salvation is wholly a work of God’s grace. Human merit or work is not involved (Jn. 1:12; Eph. 1:7, 2:8-10; I Pet. 1:18-19).

We teach that the church is composed of individuals who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and at the moment of their acceptance of Him, are placed by the Holy Spirit into one united Body (I Cor. 12:12-13) which is the bride of Christ (II Cor. 12:2; Eph. 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8). Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Col. 1:18). The church began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:13-18). The church is not Israel (I Cor. 10:32) but is a mystery not revealed until this age (Eph. 3:1-6, 5:32). Within the universal church there are local bodies (Acts 14:23, 27, 20:17, 28; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; I Thess. 1:1; II Thess. 1:1) which organize and practice the doctrines of New Testament Christianity (I Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25).

The Biblically designated officers of the church, serving under Christ, are the elders (also called bishops, pastors, or pastor-teachers, Acts 20: 28; Eph. 4:11), and deacons. These must meet Biblical qualifications (I Tim . 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-5). They are to lead by serving and directing the church (Heb. 13:7, 17; I Tim. 5:17; I Pet. 1:1-5). There may also be an office of deaconess (I Tim. 3:11; Rom. 16:1).

The local church is autonomous, free from external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Tit. 1:5). The local church may cooperate with other churches or organizations as it feels directed (Acts 15:19-31, 20:28; I Cor. 5:4-7, 13; I Pet. 5:1-4).

All Christians are called to serve in the ministry of the church family ( I Cor. 15:58; Eph. 4:12; Rev. 22:12). God has given spiritual gifts to the church for equipping and doing the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:7-12). Each believer has a unique gift(s) for fulfilling this purpose (Rom. 12:5-8; I Cor. 12:4-31; I Pet. 4:10-11).

The ultimate purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph. 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (II Tim. 2:2, 15, 3:16-27), by fellowship(Acts 2:47; I Jn. 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Lk. 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8, 2:42).

We teach that no individual (self-proclaimed faith healer) possesses the gift of healing today but God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Lk. 18:1-6; Jn. 5:7-9; II Cor. 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; I Jn. 5:14-15).

Two ordinances have been committed to the local church-Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, (Acts 2:38-40). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Rom. 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).

The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (I Cor. 11:28-32). We also teach that whereas the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ Who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (I Cor. 10:16).