THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE

The scripture, both old and new testaments, is verbally inspired of God and is inerrant in the original writings, and is the Christian's final authority in faith and conduct.

Man and woman where both created in the image of God, but that we sinned by pursuing independence from God, incurring not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God, and which is inherited by every member of Adams race. We believe that man is subject to the power of the devil and has within himself no possible means of recovery or salvation.

Christ committed His life and blood for the church and was a model for the individual believer to be committed to His church. We believe that the true church is composed of all who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are thus members of the true body of Christ and will be eligible for and should pursue membership in the local church. Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Communion ) are to be observed by the church during the present age. The Lord's Supper will be on an individual basis, but this participation is not to be regarded in any sense as a means of salvation.

By miracle of the virgin birth that the Lord Jesus Christ, eternal son of God, became man without ceasing to be God in order to reveal God and redeem man; that He died as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, and arose bodily from the dead for our justification; and that He is now exalted at the right hand of God, head of the church and Lord of the individual believer, fulfilling His ministry as our Great High Priest and advocate.

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus christ. He convicts the world of sin, regenerates the believing sinner, and at conversion, baptized him into the church, which is the body of christ. We believe that He indwells, guides, instructs and empowers the believer for Godly living and service and that He seals and keeps him until the Lord comes. We believe that He bestows spiritual gifts upon each one. We believe that the believer has received one or more spiritual gifts so that he might exercise them for the strengthening and outreach of the body of Christ. The practice of any gift in any gathered body shall be inkeeping with the scriptures.

The salvation from the guilt and condemnation of sin is possible only as the gift of God's grace. It cannot be gained by the good resolutions, sincere efforts, nor submission to the rules, regulation or ordinances of any church, but is "freely bestowed on all who put their faith in Christ and trust in His work accomplished on the cross. All who trust Jesus pass from death unto life, are forgiven their sins, accepted by the Fahter, and born into His family by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.

We believe that all are saved, with those in whom God has accomplished His transforming work of grace, are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in the assurance of salvation. However, this assurance mus not be the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in infinite love He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life.

The salvation from the guilt and condemnation of sin is possible only as the gift of God's grace. It cannot be gained by the good resolutions, sincere efforts, nor submission to the rules, regulation or ordinances of any church, but is "freely bestowed on all who put their faith in Christ and trust in His work accomplished on the cross. All who trust Jesus pass from death unto life, are forgiven their sins, accepted by the Father, and born into His family by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.

We believe we are called with a holy calling to "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. The flesh (our natural desires) which in this life is never fully eradicated, must be kept by the Spirit (through our walk of faith) constantly in subjection to Christ or it will surely manifest it's presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord

We Believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and their remain in His conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at his coming for the church when soul and glorified body, reunited, will be associated with Him forever in glory. We believe that unbelievers will be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of His power and will suffer eternal torment in hell.