- We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and 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.
- We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, and infinite Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, 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.
- We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, sinless in His life, making atonement for the sins of the world by His death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into Heaven, His high priestly intercession, for His people; and His personal, visible, and premillennial return to the world according to His promise. We therefore give Him Preeminence as our divine Lord and master.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is more than an influence. He is a personal being who came forth from God to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment to come; to regenerate, convict, sanctify and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ.
- We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense of excuse.
- We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected, in a manner above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
- 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 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 as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
- We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, 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; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
- 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, and prayer.
- 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.
- We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen man to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through the Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
- We believe only that a New Testament Church is a local (visible) company “called out ones” of believers in Jesus Christ, associated together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. We reject as unscriptural the universal visible and invisible church theory. Membership in a New Testament Baptist Church are buried with Christ in Baptism and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that to the local Baptist church was committed for observance “till He comes” the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only Scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
- We believe that Baptism is by immersion in water, of the believer, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in the crucified, buried, risen Saviour, with its effects in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, and that it is a prerequisite to church membership, and partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Believing as we do concerning the church, that a Baptist Church is a New Testament church we further believe that all candidates seeking membership in this church shall submit to believer baptism on their profession of their faith in Christ, or if in transfer of membership, that they shall have been duly baptized by a church of like faith and order.
- We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the Lord’s death, the bread symbolizing His broken body and the wine symbolizing His blood, to be done “in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19 – “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He comes” I Corinthians 11:26. We reject as false that the Lord’s Supper has any sacramental values. That the Lord’s Supper is to be observed by the church only to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; that it is preceded by (a) salvation, (b) scriptural baptism, (c) church membership (local), and (d) self-examination.
- We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
- 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 conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
- We believe that the end of the world is approaching. That these last days are becoming more sinful and evil. That Christ will soon come before the millennium to take the saved dead and living to the Christian Judgment. After a victory over Satan, Christ shall reign in peace for one thousand years; then is turned loose for a season. Judged and cast into the Lake of Fire which is prepared for Him and His Angels. The Lost shall then face the Great White Throne Judgment to determine the degree of suffering and cast into the eternal Lake of Fire never to be released.
- We believe that there is a radical and essential difference of life between the lost and the saved.
- We believe in the right of private interpretation and the competency of the individual soul in direct approach to God. That every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.
- We believe in the absolute separation of church and state.
- We believe that the church is independent and autonomous and must be kept free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We believe that the local church can be associated with other Baptist bodies (churches) mutually for fellowship and the spread of the gospel.
- We believe in the solemn obligation of majority rule, guaranteeing equal rights to all and special privileges to none.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers, for which the Master so earnestly prayed.
- We believe in a worldwide program of missionary fervor and evangelism in obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20. That God has laid upon the churches the task of persuading a lost world to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and to enthrone Him as Lord and Master.