1. Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).

1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2

2. 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39

3. Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4

4. Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:34; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48

5. Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11

6. 1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5;Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11

2. Of the True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth (1); inexpressibly glorious in holiness (2), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (3); that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (4); equal in every divine perfection (5), and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (6).

1. John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10 

2. Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8

3. Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13

4. Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7

5. John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6

6. Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; comp. 2, 7

3. Of the Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (1); but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (2); in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (3), not by constraint, but choice (4); 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 (5), without defense or excuse (6).

1. Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16

2. Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12

3. Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7

4. Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18

5. Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15

6. Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22

4. Of the Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (1), through the mediatorial offices of the Jesus Christ, the Son of God (2); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (3); honored the divine law by his personal obedience (4), and that his suffering and death was substitutionary for all mankind, making a full atonement for our sins, which is efficacious only to those who believe; (5); that having risen from the death, he is now enthroned in heaven (6); 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 (7).

1. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11

2. John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24

3. Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21

4. Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21

5. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15

6. Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4

7. Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14

5. Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (1) secures to such as believe in him is Justification (2); that Justification includes the pardon of sin (3), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (4); 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 (5); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (6; 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 (7).

1. John 1:16; Eph. 3:8

2. Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1

3. Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43

4. Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21

5. Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9

6. Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12

7. Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8

6. Of the Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel (1); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith (2); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (3); which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (4).

1. Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17

2. Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17

3. John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46

4. John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8

7. Of Grace in Regeneration

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (1); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (2); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (3), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (4); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (5).

1. John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27

2. 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7

3. John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13

4. 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11

5. Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18

8. Of Repentance and Faith

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (1); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (2), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (3); 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 (4).

1. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1

2. John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31

3. Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom.10:12-13; Psa. 51

4. Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12

9. Of God's Purpose of Grace

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners (1); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (2); that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (3); that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (4); that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (5); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (6); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (7); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (8).

1. 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9

2. 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14

3. Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36

4. 1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12

5. 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10

6. 1 Thess. 1:4-10

7. Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29

8. 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11

10. Of Sanctification

We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness (1); that it is a progressive work (2); that it is begun in regeneration (3); 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 (4).

1. 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4

2. Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16

3. John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14

4. Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30

11. Of the Perseverance of Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (1); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (2); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (3); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (4).

1. John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18

2. 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9

3. Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12

4. Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4

12. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government (1); that it is holy, just, and good (2); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (3); to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a 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 (4).

1. Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15

2. Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119

3. Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44

4. Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28

13. Of a New Testament Church

We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (1), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (2); observing the ordinances of Christ (3); governed by his laws (4), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word (5); that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, (Pastors mor Elders) and Deacons (6), men only, duly ordained, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

1. 1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5

2. Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13

3. 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17

4. Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles

5. Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14

6. Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1

14. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (1), into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit (2); 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 (3); that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord's Supper (4), in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (5); preceded always by solemn self-examination (6).

1. Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8

2. Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28

3. Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16

4. Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles

5. 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20

6. 1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71

15. Of the Christian Sabbath

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath (1); and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (2), by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private (3) and public (4); and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God (5).

1. Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1- 2

2. Exod. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psa. 118:24

3. Psa. 119:15

4. Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Exod. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2, 3; Psa. 26:8; 87:3

5. Heb. 4:3-11

16. Of Spiritual Gifts

We believe that miraculous spiritual manifestation gifts were done away when the Bible was completed. Faith, Hope, and Love are the vital abiding Spiritual Gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40

17. Of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (1); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed (2). The aforesaid notwithstanding, we believe in freedom of worship without interference from the government and affirm our belief in civil obedience, unless the laws and regulations of civil government run contrary to the Holy Scriptures and the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (3) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (4).

1. Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer.30:21

2. Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8

3. Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20

4. Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-13

18. Of Gender Identity

We believe that God ordained two genders and creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, unchangeable genders or sexes together reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one's biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person. Mankind does not possess the authority to identify themselves differently than their biological sex assigned by God at birth, and any attempt to alter one's gender is a sin.

Genesis 1:26-27; 5:2; Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6; Job 40:8; Jeremiah 1:5, 13:23

19. Of Marriage

We believe that the term "marriage" has only one legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union as delineated by Scripture. Further, marriage is the joining of one man with one woman as their genders were determined by anatomy at birth.

Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:2-10; Ephesians 5:22-31

20. Of Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman as described in Article 19 above. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bi-sexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance.

Genesis 2:24, Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-10; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1; I Corinthians 6:9, 13, 18; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4

21. Of the Sanctity of Life

We believe that human life begins at conception and that any unborn child is a living human being created in the image of God and must be valued and protected.

Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:13-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:36, 44

22. Of Family Relationships

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (ordained bishops/pastors or elders and deacons) of the church.

Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12; Titus 1:5-9; 2:2-5

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the spiritual leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a wonderful gift and heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate training and discipline.

Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; 22:15; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Pet. 3:1-7

We believe God entrusts parents with responsibility for their children, and church activities and Christian schools by design operate on behalf of the parents. These responsibilities include decisions regarding church attendance, education, healthcare, discipline, and a variety of other life choices. God instructs parents to train their children consistent with their faith.

Exodus 20:12; Deut. 4:6, 6: 6-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Eph. 6:4 Prov. 4:20-23, 19:18, 22:6

23. Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (1); 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 (2); while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse (3); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (4).

1. Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19;Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16

2. Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18

3. 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7

4. Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14

24. Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching (1); that at the last day (the Day of the Lord) Christ Jesus will descend from heaven (2), and raise the righteous dead from the grave, change the bodies of the righteous living at that time and resurrect all these in Christ to eternal life, leaving the wicked and unrighteous to final retribution (the wrath of God) (3); that after a thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth a second resurrection of the wicked and unrighteous will then take place (4); that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, while the righteous in the first resurrection remain in a state of endless joy in the presence of God for eternity (5); and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in the kingdom of God or in hell (lake of fire), solely on principles of righteousness (6).

1. 1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 13:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13

2. Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18;5:1-11

3. Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Matt. 24:30-31; 25:31-33; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25- 26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; 1 Thess. 4:13-18;5:1-11

4. Matt. 13:37-43, 49; Rev. 20:7-15

5. Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18

6. Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev. 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:1