We are an Independent, Baptist church. We are not under the authority any association, but we do willingly and freely fellowship with other Baptist churches of like faith. The King James Version of the Bible is the version used in all of our preaching and teaching ministries. Furthermore, we are fundamental in our doctrine, and we believe in the traditional Christian doctrines and the historic Baptist distinctives, as can be seen below:
OF THE SCRIPTURES, GOD’S HOLY WORD
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that these writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinion should be tried. By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which does not only convey the Word of God, but is the very word of God. (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:31; 24:25-45; John 1:1,14; 5:39, 47; 10:35; 12:48; 17:17; Romans 3:4; 15:4; II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19).
OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the creator 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 Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Genesis 1:1-3; Exodus 15:11,18; 20:2-3; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark.12:30; John 4:24, 17:5; Romans 11:33-36; I Corinthians 8:16; 12:4-6; Ephesians 4:6; I Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 6:18; Revelation 4:11).
OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only son of God. We further believe that he was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of the virgin Mary as no other man has ever been born, as prophesied in the Old Testament. This birth of God in the flesh was for the purpose of redeeming man to God by offering Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice to take away the sin of mankind and heal the breach created in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned. We further believe that access to heaven is only through faith and the personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour. His death on the cross paying in full the debt of sin for all men. He is both the Son of God and God, the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark.1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; 3:16; I Corinthians 15:47; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20).
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person: equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature. He was active in the creation; and in his relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the Evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. (Genesis 1:1-3; Psalm 104:30; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:8-11; Acts 1:8; 5:32; 11:15-16; Romans 8:14-16, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:7,13; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter.1:2).
OF SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; and the lord of the anti-christ. He is however destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to be banished to an eternal hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel.28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:37-39; 25:41; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10;19; 20:1-3, 10.)
OF CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created in innocence directly in God’s own image and after his own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly by God and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” (Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; 3:1-6, 24; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; Ezekiel 18:19-20; John 1:1-3; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10, 12, 18, 19; 5:12; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Colossians 1:16-19; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6.)
OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that man through voluntary transgressing fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
We further 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 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, 41; Luke 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18, 23; Galatians 3:10-11; I Peter 4:18; I John 1:9; 5:19.)
OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent and obedient faith, and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel.
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 sins is made partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and 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 and faith and newness of life.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatory offices of the Son of God, who by 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 and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour. (Isaiah 53:4-7, 11, 12; Matthew 18:11; John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6-7, 15-16, 18, 36; 10:18; Acts 2:38; 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 6:23; 8:29-30; I Corinthians 15:3, 10, 20; II Corinthians 5:17, 19, 21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:1, 4-5, 8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; II Peter 1:4; I John 2:2; 4:10; 5:1.)
OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and inseparable graces, wrought in our soul by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour. (Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11, 13.)
OF ETERNAL SALVATION
We believe that justification, redemption, and remission are part of salvation and are the works of God through Jesus Christ and His shed blood, received by faith in Christ’s finished work, through no work or worth on man’s part. We conclude that eternal life is based on God’s immutability and his eternal faithfulness to keep His Word that all who come to him in faith believing will receive eternal life. (Psalm 37:23-24, 28; Ecclesiastes 3:14; John 3:15-16, 36; 5:24; 6:39-40, 47; 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30, 33, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:4, 13-14; 2:5-9; 4:30; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 3:3-4; II Timothy 1:9; 4:18; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:24-25; 9:12; I Peter 1:5; I John 5:11-13; Jude 24).
OF 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 gift 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, His righteousness is imputed unto us. (Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:11; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1-8; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38).
OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its offices of ordination are pastors (Elders, Bishops) and deacons, 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 the Church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of the 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 or government; 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. (Leviticus 27:32; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; I Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4, 8-11; 16:1, 2; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-13; I Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3, 4.)
OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, 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 relationship 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. (Matthew 3:6, 16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians.2:12.)
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; 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 coming Prince of the kings of the earth. (Exodus 18:21-22; II Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:1-7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14, 17.)
OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily “The third day according to the Scriptures;” that he ascended “to the right hand of the throne of God;” “That this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” — bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first”; that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump”; “That the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David”; and that “Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet”. (Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27, 42; 28:6-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 1:32; 24:2, 4-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; 20:27; Acts 1:9, 11; I Corinthians 15:4, 22, 25, 42-44, 51-53; Philippians 4:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:1, 2, 6; 9:28; I John 2:1; Revelation 3:21; 20:1-4, 6.)
OF THE RAPTURE, TRIBULATION AND MILLENNIUM
We believe in the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial rapture of the church and the bodily resurrection of the New Testament saints. (Romans 5:9; I Corinthians 15:23, 51-57; I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; II Thessalonians 2:7-8; 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10; 4:1; 20:1-7.)
Further, we believe that the earth’s tribulation period begins at the rapture of the church, during which the resurrected saints will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for their service for the Lord, and then partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.
We also believe that Christ will return to earth in visible and bodily form at the end of the tribulation period to resurrect the tribulation saints, to fight the battle of Armageddon, and to judge the nations, establishing His millennial kingdom upon earth. Satan will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. (Matthew 25:31-34; Revelation 16:13-16; 20: 1-6.)
We further believe that at the end of this thousand year reign Satan will be loosed to deceive the nations for a short time. He will gather an army of those he has deceived and go to fight earth’s final battle against the Lord. They will lose. Satan and the anti-Christ and the false prophet will be cast into hell forever. At this time the Old Testament saints will be resurrected and the great white throne judgment will commence. After this – eternity. (Revelation 20:1-15, 21-22).
OF MISSIONS
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this commission was given to the churches. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13, 14, 15.)
OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
We believe that Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith, and that since God holds title to all created things, and that in the end all things will return to Him, He is deserving of all of our praise and thanksgiving for the sustenance and bounty with which He has blessed us.
We believe that it is our privilege and God ordained responsibility to return to Him a portion of this bountiful blessing to support the local church and to further the spread of the gospel. This is to be accomplished through Free will offerings in the bringing of our gifts (tithes) into the storehouse (common treasury) upon the first day of the week as commanded in the New Testament.
We further believe that true stewardship involves not only the joyful giving of money, but also of our time and abilities that God has given to us in order that His name might be glorified. (Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 4:34, 35, 37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:2, 4.)
OF THE SCRIPTURES, GOD’S HOLY WORD
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that these writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinion should be tried. By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which does not only convey the Word of God, but is the very word of God. (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:31; 24:25-45; John 1:1,14; 5:39, 47; 10:35; 12:48; 17:17; Romans 3:4; 15:4; II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19).
OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the creator 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 Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Genesis 1:1-3; Exodus 15:11,18; 20:2-3; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark.12:30; John 4:24, 17:5; Romans 11:33-36; I Corinthians 8:16; 12:4-6; Ephesians 4:6; I Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 6:18; Revelation 4:11).
OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only son of God. We further believe that he was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of the virgin Mary as no other man has ever been born, as prophesied in the Old Testament. This birth of God in the flesh was for the purpose of redeeming man to God by offering Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice to take away the sin of mankind and heal the breach created in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned. We further believe that access to heaven is only through faith and the personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour. His death on the cross paying in full the debt of sin for all men. He is both the Son of God and God, the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark.1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; 3:16; I Corinthians 15:47; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20).
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person: equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature. He was active in the creation; and in his relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the Evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. (Genesis 1:1-3; Psalm 104:30; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:8-11; Acts 1:8; 5:32; 11:15-16; Romans 8:14-16, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:7,13; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter.1:2).
OF SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; and the lord of the anti-christ. He is however destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to be banished to an eternal hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel.28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:37-39; 25:41; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10;19; 20:1-3, 10.)
OF CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created in innocence directly in God’s own image and after his own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly by God and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” (Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; 3:1-6, 24; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; Ezekiel 18:19-20; John 1:1-3; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10, 12, 18, 19; 5:12; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Colossians 1:16-19; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6.)
OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that man through voluntary transgressing fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
We further 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 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, 41; Luke 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18, 23; Galatians 3:10-11; I Peter 4:18; I John 1:9; 5:19.)
OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent and obedient faith, and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel.
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 sins is made partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and 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 and faith and newness of life.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatory offices of the Son of God, who by 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 and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour. (Isaiah 53:4-7, 11, 12; Matthew 18:11; John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6-7, 15-16, 18, 36; 10:18; Acts 2:38; 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 6:23; 8:29-30; I Corinthians 15:3, 10, 20; II Corinthians 5:17, 19, 21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:1, 4-5, 8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; II Peter 1:4; I John 2:2; 4:10; 5:1.)
OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and inseparable graces, wrought in our soul by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour. (Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11, 13.)
OF ETERNAL SALVATION
We believe that justification, redemption, and remission are part of salvation and are the works of God through Jesus Christ and His shed blood, received by faith in Christ’s finished work, through no work or worth on man’s part. We conclude that eternal life is based on God’s immutability and his eternal faithfulness to keep His Word that all who come to him in faith believing will receive eternal life. (Psalm 37:23-24, 28; Ecclesiastes 3:14; John 3:15-16, 36; 5:24; 6:39-40, 47; 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30, 33, 38-39; I Corinthians 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:4, 13-14; 2:5-9; 4:30; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 3:3-4; II Timothy 1:9; 4:18; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:24-25; 9:12; I Peter 1:5; I John 5:11-13; Jude 24).
OF 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 gift 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, His righteousness is imputed unto us. (Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:11; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1-8; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38).
OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its offices of ordination are pastors (Elders, Bishops) and deacons, 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 the Church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of the 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 or government; 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. (Leviticus 27:32; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; I Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4, 8-11; 16:1, 2; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-13; I Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3, 4.)
OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, 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 relationship 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. (Matthew 3:6, 16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians.2:12.)
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; 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 coming Prince of the kings of the earth. (Exodus 18:21-22; II Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:1-7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14, 17.)
OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily “The third day according to the Scriptures;” that he ascended “to the right hand of the throne of God;” “That this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” — bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first”; that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump”; “That the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David”; and that “Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet”. (Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27, 42; 28:6-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 1:32; 24:2, 4-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; 20:27; Acts 1:9, 11; I Corinthians 15:4, 22, 25, 42-44, 51-53; Philippians 4:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:1, 2, 6; 9:28; I John 2:1; Revelation 3:21; 20:1-4, 6.)
OF THE RAPTURE, TRIBULATION AND MILLENNIUM
We believe in the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial rapture of the church and the bodily resurrection of the New Testament saints. (Romans 5:9; I Corinthians 15:23, 51-57; I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; II Thessalonians 2:7-8; 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10; 4:1; 20:1-7.)
Further, we believe that the earth’s tribulation period begins at the rapture of the church, during which the resurrected saints will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for their service for the Lord, and then partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.
We also believe that Christ will return to earth in visible and bodily form at the end of the tribulation period to resurrect the tribulation saints, to fight the battle of Armageddon, and to judge the nations, establishing His millennial kingdom upon earth. Satan will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. (Matthew 25:31-34; Revelation 16:13-16; 20: 1-6.)
We further believe that at the end of this thousand year reign Satan will be loosed to deceive the nations for a short time. He will gather an army of those he has deceived and go to fight earth’s final battle against the Lord. They will lose. Satan and the anti-Christ and the false prophet will be cast into hell forever. At this time the Old Testament saints will be resurrected and the great white throne judgment will commence. After this – eternity. (Revelation 20:1-15, 21-22).
OF MISSIONS
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this commission was given to the churches. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13, 14, 15.)
OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
We believe that Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith, and that since God holds title to all created things, and that in the end all things will return to Him, He is deserving of all of our praise and thanksgiving for the sustenance and bounty with which He has blessed us.
We believe that it is our privilege and God ordained responsibility to return to Him a portion of this bountiful blessing to support the local church and to further the spread of the gospel. This is to be accomplished through Free will offerings in the bringing of our gifts (tithes) into the storehouse (common treasury) upon the first day of the week as commanded in the New Testament.
We further believe that true stewardship involves not only the joyful giving of money, but also of our time and abilities that God has given to us in order that His name might be glorified. (Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 4:34, 35, 37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:2, 4.)
Sunday Services:
9:45 am - Adult & Student Bible Classes 9:45 am - Children's Sunday School 11:00 am - Main Worship Service 11:00 am - Children's Junior Church 6:00 pm - Evening Worship Service Wednesday Services: 7:00 pm - Adult Prayer and Bible Study |
Contact Information:
Smyrna Baptist Church 815 West Orient Street Tampa, Florida 33603-4520 Phone: (813) 223-3557 Email: contact@smyrnaoftampa.org |