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Articles of Faith
 
 
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1.  The True God
 
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, whose name is JEHOVAH, an infinite and intelligent Spirit, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. That in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being; co-equal in power and glory, each possessing every divine attribute, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided.
Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:14-15; Deut. 6:4, 32:4; Job 38:1 - 39:30; Ps. 83:18; Is. 6:3; Jer. 10:10-12; Mal. 3:6; Mt. 3:16-17, 28:18-20; Mark 12:30; John 4:24, 5:17-18, 10:30, 15:26, 17:1-5; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 1:20; 1 Cor. 2:10-13, 8:4, 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-6; Heb. 3:4; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 John 5:7; Rev. 4:11, 15:4
 
2. The Scriptures
 
We believe in the verbal plenary inspiritation of the Holy Scriptures, and the Bible is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter, that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. God in His great goodness has revealed all that is necessary to life and salvation in the Bible, which consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments alone. We believe in the perspicuity of the Scriptures and that the Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of faith and practice.  
Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Romans 2:12, 15:4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; Phil. 3:14-16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Jude 3
 
 
3. The Depravity of Man
 
We believe that God made our first father, Adam, perfect, holy and upright. Adam fell from that happy and holy state by voluntary transgression and as the representative and head of the human race, brought upon himself and all his offspring death, condemnation and a sinful nature. As a result it is utterly beyond the power of fallen mankind to have a saving knowledge of God, to love God, to keep his laws, to believe the Gospel, to repent of sin or trust Christ apart from the power and work of God.
Gen.1:27, 1:31, 2:16-17, 3:6-24, 6:12; Ps. 51:5; Ecc. 7:29; Is. 53:6; Ez. 18:20; John 8:34-34; Rom. 3:10-19, 3:23, 5:12, 8:7-8; Eph. 2:1-5
 
4. The Way of Salvation
 
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatoral offices of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead physically, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Saviour.
Is. 42:1, 53:1-12; Ps. 89:18-19; Mt. 18:11, 20:28; John 1:1-14, 3:14-18, 11:25, 14:6; Acts 16:30-34; Rom. 3:21-26, 4:23-25; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:20-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:1-9; Phil. 2:7-11; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 1:1-4, 4:14, 7:25-26, 9:13-15; 12:2, 24; 1 John 4:10
 
5. Justification
 
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Isa. 53; Zach. 13:1; Mt. 6:33; Acts 10:43, 13:38-39; Rom. 5, 3:24-26, 4:4-5, 4:23-25, 6:23; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Phil. 3:7-9; 1 John 2:12, 2:25
 
6. The Freeness of Salvation
 
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Prov. 1:24; Is. 45:20-25, 55:1-5; Mt. 11:20, 23:37; Mark 1:15; John 3:16-19, 3:36, 5:39-40; Acts 13:46; Rom. 1:15-17, 9:31-33; 2 Thess. 1:8; Rev. 22:17
 
7. Regeneration
 
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life.
Deut. 30:6; Mt. 7:20; John 1:13, 3:1-8; Rom. 2:28-29, 5:5, 8:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 4:2-32, 5:8-9; Phil. 2:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 4:7, 5:1, 4; Rev. 21:27
 
8. Repentance and Faith
 
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Psalm 2:6; Psalm 51; Mark 1:15; Luke 15:18-21, 18:13; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38, 3:22-23, 11:18, 16:30-34; Rom. 10:9-11; 2 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 1:8, 4:14, 7:25; James 4:7-10
 
9. God’s Electing Grace
 
We believe election is God's eternal choice of a people unto salvation, which choice is not conditioned upon anything good in man, but is an act of his good pleasure according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel, that it is the foundation of Christian assurance.
Ex. 33:18-19; Isa. 42:16; Jer. 31:3; Mt. 20:15-16; Luke 18:7; John 6:37-40, 10:16, 15:16, 17:1-3; Acts 13:48, 15:14; Rom. 3:27, 4:16, 8:28-30, 9:11-16, 9:23-24, 11:5-6, 11:28-29, 11:32-36; 1 Cor. 1:26-31, 3:5-7, 15:10; Eph. 1:3-14; Phil. 3:12; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4-10, 2:12-13; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:8-9, 2:10; Heb. 6:11; James 1:17-18; 1 Pet. 1:1-2, 2:9-10, 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; 1 John 4:19
 
10. Sanctification
 
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer and faithfulness to the assembly of the saints.
Prov. 4:18; Mt. 5:13-16, 26:41; Luke 9:23, 11:35; John 3:6, 14:15; Rom. 6:22, 8:5; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 3:18, 7:1, 13:5; Eph. 1:4, 1:13-14, 4:11-12, 4:30, 6:18; Phil. 1:9-11, 2:12-13, 3:12-16 ; 1 Thess. 4:3-7, 5:23; Heb. 6:1, 12:11-14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16, 2:2; 2 Pet 1:5-8, 3:18
 
11. Perseverance of the Saints
 
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end: that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
2 Kings 6:15-17; Job 17:9; Psalm 91:11-12, 121:3; Jer. 32:40; Mt. 6:30-33, 13:18-23; John 6:66-69, 8:31, 13:18; Rom. 8:28-30, 8:38-39; Phil. 1:6, 2:13; Heb. 1:14, 13:5; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 1 John 2:19, 2:27-28, 4:4; Jude 24-25
 
12. A New Testament Church
 
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that it has as its officers pastors and deacons; and that there is no invisible, universal church.
Mt. 18:15-20, 28:18-20; John 14:15, 15:12; Acts 2:41-47, 5:11, 8:1, 11:21-23, 14:23, 15:22; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 1:1-3, 4:17, 5:1-13, 6:1-20, 11:2, 11:23-31, 14:12, 14:23; 2 Cor. 2:17; Gal. 6:2, Eph. 4; Phil. 1:1;  2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1; 1 John 4:21; 2 John 6; 3 John 9
 
13. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
 
We believe that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation, and to the Lord's Supper; in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination under the discipline of the local church.
Mt. 3:5-6, 26:26-29, 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11, 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; John 3:22-23, 4:1-2, 6:26-63; Acts 2:38-42, 8:12, 8:36-39, 10:47-48, 16:32-34, 18:8, 22:16; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 5:1-8, 10:1-32, 11:17-32; Gal. 3:26-28; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-22
 
 
14. Civil Government
 
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society, and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Ex. 18:19-26; Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Psalm 2; Psalm 72:11; Dan. 3:15-18, 6:7-10; Mt. 2:7-12; 22:15-21, 23:10, 28:18; Acts 4:18-20, 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7, 14:9-13; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; Titus 3:1; Philemon; 1 Peter 2:13-18; Rev. 19:16
 
 
16. The Eternal State
 
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are at death, present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the resurrection of the just, where soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord; that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the resurrection of the unjust, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgement, and shall be cast into the lake of fire, to suffer everlasting conscious punishment; that Satan and his servants will be cast into the lake of fire and will suffer everlasting punishment.
Dan. 12:1-3; Mt. 13:37-52, 25:31-46, 28:20; Luke 14:14, 16:19-31; John 5:28-29, 6:40, 11:25-26; Acts 1:11, 10:42, 17:31, 24:15; Rom. 2:2-16, 3:5-6, 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:12-58; 2 Cor. 5:6-11; Phil. 3:18-21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 1:10-12, 9:28; 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 2:9, 3:3-13; 1 John 2:17, 2:28, 4:17; Rev. 1:7, 20:1-15
 
 
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