OUR CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We purpose therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to attend its services regularly; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to give faithfully of time and talent in its activities; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the Gospel to all nations.
We also purpose to maintain family and private devotions, to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, back-biting, and unrighteous anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage and harmful or illegal drugs; to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ our Savior; and to give Him Preeminence in all things.
We further purpose to encourage one another in the blessed hope of the Lord's return; to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover purpose that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Bible believing church where we can carry out the spirit of thin covenant and the principles of God's Word.
THE BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
Baptist Churches are modeled after the New Testament Churches. Other denominations believe some of the basic New Testament doctrines; however, for the most part Baptists are the only ones who have held to all of the basic New Testament doctrines down through the years. These doctrines have been arranged as an acrostic spelling BAPTISTS for ease in memorizing them.
BAPTISTS...
B BIBLE IS OUR ONLY RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE
Its laws and doctrines are the only basis of our authority. 2 Tim. 3:16
A AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
A Baptist Church is independent and governs, itself. We live in a day when the sovereign autonomy and independence of local churches is being challenged and even threatened by the drive toward the ecumenical merging of all "religions" into an apostate one-world church. A New Testament Church is independent of all popes, bishops, councils, conventions, associations, synods, conferences, or civil governments and its agencies that would seek to exert control over its operations and functions. Baptist Churches seek to conduct their affairs as the Lord directs through the Holy Spirit because Christ alone is the Head of the Church. Acts 15:1-30, Matt. 18:15-17
P PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVERS
Every believer has the right and duty to approach God in prayer and praise for himself without the aid of human priest, preachers, mediators or human ceremonies, rituals or forms. Christ alone in the believer's mediator. I Tim 2:5, I Pet. 2:5&9, Heb.10:19
T TWO ORDINANCES FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH
Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are the ordinances of the local church. These are symbolic acts, which portray the two basic facts in our relationship to Christ. Baptism by immersion of believers only pictures our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. For this reason, a Baptist Church does not baptize infants. The Lord's Supper (communion) pictures our fellowship with Christ and in a symbolic memorial of His death till He comes. Neither ordinance has any saving merit but are matters of obedience to Christ's teachings. Acts 2:41-42, Matt. 28:19-20, Acts 16:30-84, Acts 18:8, I Cor. 11:2-32
I INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Soul liberty is the implementation of the truth that we must "obey God rather than men". (Acts 5:29) Each believer must give answer to god individually, and therefore, no other man and no church can act as his conscience. Because of thin, the believer has the right and responsibility to interpret the Scriptures for himself and will answer to God for the way in which he does so. I John 2:27, Rom.14:5, I Thes. 5:21, Acts 17:11, 2 Tim. 2:15
S SEPARATION
The first is personal separation. The Scriptures clearly teach that a believer is a new creature in Christ and the old sinful ways are to be put off. We are commanded to come out from that which defiles and be separate. We are not to love the world neither the things of the world but present ourselves as living sacrifices unto the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 4:22-24, Rom. 8:11-14, 2 Cor. 6:14-18, 1 John 2:15, Rom. 12:1-2
The second aspect of separation is ecclesiastical [church] separation. A Bible Believing Church cannot cooperate with any groups, churches or organizations that deny the fundamentals of the faith. We are told to mark those who cause divisions and promote doctrine different than the Bible teaches and avoid them. The Bible is our standard, and we, as a church body, are to have no fellowship with those who reject or compromise its teachings. 2 Cor. 6:14-17, Rom. 16-17, 2 John l: 10-11
The last aspect of separation is political separation. Human Government in a God appointed institution given to preserve the rights and liberties of the righteous and to restrain and punish the evil. Believers are to be good citizens and "render to Caesar the things that are Caesars" until disobedience to God is involved, and then we must obey God rather than man. But the Scripture is clear. While human government encompasses all men, both believers and unbelievers, God has never given to civil rulers the right to govern the church, which in a spiritual body with Christ as its head. Only saved persons rightfully belong to this company and the officers and members of church are not authorized in the Word to divide and jeopardize their spiritual ministry by seeking authority over civil government or allowing civil government to exercise control in relationship to the church and its ministries. Hence comes the doctrine of what some call the separation of church and state. This is not to say that believers and churches may not take a stand on Biblical principles. We must as we are the salt and light of the earth and we are obligated to earnestly contend for the faith. Matt. 22:21, Rom. 13, Acts 5:29, Matt. 5:13-16. Jude 3
T TWO OFFICERS IN A LOCAL CHURCH
The Pastor(s) and Deacons are the only officers sanctioned by the Scriptures and the spiritual leaders of the church. The body may appoint others within its number to give special responsibilities, but individuals or groups appointed by the body are not over the pastor or deacons in the exercise of their leadership.
Pastors are also called elder, bishop, preacher, and teacher. As a pastor-teacher he feeds, as an elder he leads and as a bishop he oversees. The terms are often used interchangeably in the New Testament.
Deacons are the Pastor's assistants and help him so that he may give himself to prayer and the study of the Word. I Tim. 3:1-8, Acts 6:1-4, Phil. 1:1, Titus 1:5-18
S SAVED, BAPTIZED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
A church is a spiritual, not a social, economic or political organization. The church is charged by the Lord to preach the Word and to worship the Lord. This is impossible for men who have not been born again (saved). The Scriptural order of events is salvation, baptism by immersion and church membership (Acts 2:41- 42). Anything other than this is man's ways not God's ways.
THE DOCTRINES OF OUR FAITH
I. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written; the Hebrew/Aramaic Old Testament text and Greek New Testament text. It was verbally and plenarily inspired of God and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore, is infallible and inerrant in all matters of which it speaks.
The New Testament term for "inspiration" is theopneustos meaning "God-Breathed." It comes from two Greek words, "theos" [God] and "pneuo" [to breathe]. The process of God's breathing out His Words occurred only once when He breathed out or "inspired" the Hebrew/ Aramaic and Greek texts. This resulted in God's revelation. It is "plenary" inspiration because it extends to every one of the 66 books equally, from Genesis to Revelation. It is "verbal" because it has to do with the Words of the Hebrew/ Aramaic and Greek. These Words are inerrant and infallible because it is impossible for God to make any mistakes or errors. Though the process of inspiration has never been repeated, the product of inspiration, that is, the Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek Words, have been preserved by God in the Words of the Masoretic Hebrew and Textus Receptus Greek texts that underlie the King James Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Titus 1:2)
Further, we believe that God has promised both to preserve His Words (Psalm 12:6-7; Matthew 5:17-18, and others) and to keep His promises (Romans 4:20-21; Hebrews 10:23). Preservation refers to the Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek Words, which God gave to us by Inspiration. We believe that the closest Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek texts that God has preserved for us are those that underlie the King James Bible. The King James Bible "preserves" in the English language by accurate translation the preserved Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek Words God has preserved for us according to His promises.
Therefore, in our church, we use exclusively the King James Bible for four reasons:
(1) It is based upon superior texts of Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek;
(2) It was translated by far superior translators than we have today;
(3) It has used a superior translation technique compared with the versions of today, that is, it has used both verbal (or word) equivalence and formal (or form) equivalence, rather than the false dynamic equivalence of thought only; and
(4) It has superior theology rather than theological errors in over 356 doctrinal passages, which plague the New International Version and other modern versions. The King James Bible has been blessed of God since the completion of its translation in 1611.
The King James Bible, (without the Apocrypha), will be used by pastors, teachers and those in leadership in all areas of our church and Bible school without exception.
We believe that God’s Word to man was completed with the book of Revelation and that no additions or deletions made today are valid. Further, we believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
II. THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, and infinite 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, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 20:2-3; I Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. His Person & Work
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God, the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:14-16; Rom. 8:26-27
B. The Charismatic Movement
We thank the Lord for the gifted men He has given to the Church (evangelists, pastors and teachers Ephesians 4:11-12), while noting that today the apostles and prophets that ministered in the foundation period of the church, before the completion of the New Testament Canon, are no longer available to the Church in our day (Ephesians 2:19-20). We have their writings in the New Testament.
We also acknowledge that the Holy Spirit has blessed the Church with permanent serving gifts that continue even in our day, given to individual believers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. These are prophecy (only in the sense of telling forth or preaching the Word of God), ministry or helps, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling or governments, and mercy (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:28).
However, we believe that the so-called sign gifts were of a temporary nature, exclusively for the foundation period of the church and are not active today (Hebrews 2:3-4). These gifts include casting out devils, snake handling, drinking poison without harm, healing (by means other than God initiated or through prayer), the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, working of miracles (humanly initiated), discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). We read in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."
Further, we believe that, being “slain in the spirit,” the so-called “holy laughter” phenomena, where people laugh uncontrollably, are unable to get off of the floor, and the and “animal blessing” phenomena where people hiss, roar, bark, crow, etc. do not originate with the triune God who demands that all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Therefore, neither the pastor(s), deacons, nor the members of this Church shall practice or advocate the sign gifts.
IV. THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, the Devil; and that he was created by God as an angel but through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his creator; that he became the unholy god of this age, and the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. Matt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10
V. THE CREATION
We believe the Biblical account of the creation of the physical universe, angels, and man; that this account is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God without any evolutionary process; that man was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race (Gen. 1,2; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3).
VI. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence, in the image and likeness of God, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by nature, but by choice. Therefore, all are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Gen. 3:1-6; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:10-19; Rom. 1:18; Rom. 1:32
VII. THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, The Son. Gen. 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matt.1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:4
VIII. THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, and honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying Himself to be our Saviour; that by the shedding of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be the perfect, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7-8; Heb. 2:14-17; Isa. 53:4-7; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; I Pet. 2:24
IX. GRACE IN THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in Connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness. John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33; 2 Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1 2 Cor. 5:19; Col.2:13; John 3:8
X. JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness, which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's shed blood. Rom. 3:24; 4:5; 5:19; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9
XI. SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner; first an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Saviour; second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord's return. In the two aspects the penalty and power of sin are broken. In the last we are conformed to the image of Christ and removed from the presence of sin. Heb. 10:10-14; John 17:17; 2 Cor. 3:18; I Cor. 1:30; Eph. 5:25-27; I Thes. 4:3,4; 5:23,24; I John3:2; Jude 24, 25; Rev. 22:11; Rom. 8:28-29
XII. FAITH AND SALVATION
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit and is and integral part of saving faith. Eph. 2:8; Acts 3:19; Acts 15:11; Acts. 20-21; Rom. 3:24-25; John 3:16
XIII. THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that the church is an organized congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts and rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; on all matters of membership, policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
We believe in the unity of all New Testament Believers in the Church, which is the Body of Christ. Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Tim. 3:1-6; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18; 1 Cor. 12:12-13
XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that there are two church ordinances - Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water and is properly called "Believer Baptism." It portrays in a beautiful and solemn way our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effects in our lives of death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation, and shall not be indiscriminately administered apart from church membership. Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:36-37; Rom 6:4.
We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. The Lord's Supper shall not be served outside a church meeting. Neither ordinance has the "power" or "merit" in itself to bestow either salvation or justification but are marks of a believer's obedience to the Lord. Matt. 26:27-30; Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:23-24
XV. THE SECURITY OF THE SAINTS
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ and cannot lose their salvation. Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29: Rom. 8:35,39; Jude 1 & 24
XVI. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
THE RIGHTEOUS. We believe, true righteousness, comes only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the believer’s righteousness. Because of Christ's righteousness, we are justified in the sight of God. Rom 3:20-23; Rom. 10:34; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 3:28; Rom. 5:1 and set apart (sanctified) for His use by the Holy Spirit. 2 Tim. 2:21 The conclusion of righteousness, which comes by faith in Christ, is eternal life and happiness with the Lord forever. John 14:1-3; Matt. 25:31-40; John 3:16-36; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Pet. 2:9; John 10:18:28; Rom. 6:22-23
THE WICKED. We believe we are born with a sin nature and that we choose to sin as Adam did. Because of this we are unable to do any good works that would merit eternal life with God, but are under his just condemnation. The conclusion of wickedness (unrighteousness and unbelief) is eternal separation from God and everlasting conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Hell). Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 3:10-22; Matt. 25:34-41; Rev. 20:12-15; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; 2 Thes. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 14:11
XVII. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe the scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, Rom. 3:1-7 for the benefit and good order of human society; 2 Sam. 23:3; Prov. 29:2; Titus 3:1 and that civil servants and public officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed. Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 23:5; I Tim. 2:1-3; I Pet. 2:13-17
God has established three institutions. The family, human government and the church. The family and church are to "render" (give) unto Caesar (government) what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. Matt. 22:21
In the case of conflict; Prov. 29:2 we must remember that Christ is the final authority in church, family and government matters. Rev. 1:5 & 8; 19:16; Dan. 3:17-18; I Tim. 6:15 and we must obey God rather than man when His will is opposed. Acts 5:29 Christ is the head of the church Eph. 5:23; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18 and civil rulers have no authority to control the church or its functions and should not interfere with its programs. Acts 5:26-29
XVIII. RAPTURE, TRIBULATION, SECOND COMING, MILLENNIUM AND RELATED EVENTS.
RAPTURE. We believe that Jesus Christ the Lord will return to catch-up (rapture) all believers to Himself just before God pours out seven years of the worst judgment, the world had ever known (called the tribulation). The dead in Christ will be raised first and then those believers who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. At this time we shall be changed, receiving incorruptible, glorified bodies, which are immortal, and we will be with the Lord forever. This catching-up (rapture) occurs in the twinkling of an eye and is the next event on the prophetic calendar. No prophecy needs to be fulfilled before it occurs. We can look for it anytime and it is the believer's "blessed hope." John 14:3; I Cor. 15:51-54; I Thes. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13
SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION. We believe after the church (all saved) is in heaven, a time of great tribulation (troubles and judgment), lasting seven years, will take place on earth. In the Bible this period is called the "time of Jacob's trouble, a time of trouble, days of darkness and gloominess and the day of the Lord." This is a time when God's wrath is poured out upon all men and nations who reject His Son. Rev. 3:10; Dan. 9:1-2; 24-26; Jer. 30:7; Dan. 12:1; Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18 & 20; Isa. 2:12; 2 Pet. 3:10; 2 Thes. 2:2-3; Rev. 14:6-10
SECOND COMING AND MILLENNIUM. We believe that following the tribulation, Christ will return to the earth with His glorified saints to establish the Millennial Kingdom and sit on the throne of David. Jude 14; Heb. 9:28; I Cor. 15:24-26; Ps. 72:8; Acts 2:29-30; Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7 During the 1000 years of peace and prosperity, Satan will be bound and Christ will reign with a rod of iron. At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be released for a short time, deceive many and lead in a final rebellion but be defeated and cast into everlasting lake of fire (Hell) with his armies. Isa. 1:6; Mic. 4:3-4; Zech 14:20; Rev. 2:25-29; Dan. 9:24; Acts 1:11; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 20:1-10 New Heaven and New Earth - Following Satan’s final rebellion believers will abide with Christ in the New Heavens and New Earth which He has made, for all eternity. Rev. 21
