We believe that God commands of all men everywhere to exercise Repentance and Faith (which are inseperable); Faith is developed synergistically (in cooperation with the Holy Spirit) before regeneration (being born of God). Thus, we become deeply convicted 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; John 1:12; 3:16-17; 16:8-11; Acts 2:37-38; 17:30-31; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11, 13; Ephesians 1:13,14
Of Sanctification
Sanctification is inevitable for those born of God but not perfected until after death. (Meaning the removal of the sinful nature is not accomplished in this life time, but automatic after death for children of God)
In this life time, those born of God are incapable of living a lifestyle of sin or of hating other children of God in any lifestyle manner because of the transforming nature of the regeneration. (1John 3:9,10)
Of The Perseverance Of The Saints
We believe that genuine believers never lose their salvation status but continue in faith and in a living consistent with that faith to the end (as in lifestyle or professional sense); 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 eternal salvation. Passages that mention "falling away" largely refer to either those who either who have come right up next to the truth of the gospel and then "fall away or turn away" from it and thus are lost, OR people who make a profession of faith (which in and of itself does NOT save anyone!) and then "fall back" into a lifestyle of sin and godlessness; thus proving that they were never saved in the first place. Many are merely drawn to the gospel (many times for the wrong reasons); but when the testing or temptation comes, they "draw back to perdition". This is clear in Jesus's parable of the sower . Even "demons believe and tremble". Such is only an intellectual knowledge about salvation but not a possession of it. Jesus will tell to these: "I NEVER KNEW you." The true sheep listen to His voice and He KNOWS them and they follow him. To these he gives eternal life and shall never perish since no one can snatch them from His hand. He is greater than all anyway. Finally, let's recall the perfect harmony to this truth in the following passage of 2 Timothy 2:19: "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord KNOWS those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord MUST turn away from wickedness." (emphasis mine)
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 7:21-27; 13:19-23; (Luke 8:5-15); John 4:14; 8:31-32; 10:27-29; 16:8; Romans 8:1,28,35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 3:14; 10:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19; 3:9,10; 5:3-5 (More passages included in our article: "Calvinism vs. Armianism".) We will "never thirst" in Christ!
Of The Destiny Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18,23; 7:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:18; 1 John 2:7,29; 5:19
Of The Church
We believe that the Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; 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 it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
We believe . . . that Healthy Sheep Beget Healthy Sheep . In keeping with this purpose, we seek to win the lost, disciple the saved and encourage the faithful. we believe if we take care of our "depth," God will take care of our "breadth." The prupose of the church is not numerical growth, but spiritual growth. The only strategy we have for our ministry is to "feed the flock of God"
(John 21:12, Acts 20; 28; 1 Peter 5:2).Leviticus 27:31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13
