Statement of Faith
The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, completely preserved in the KJV 1611 and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal, grammatical-historical meaning. We believe the King James Bible is the divinely preserved Word of God for English speaking people and that the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church for teaching and preaching. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20,21
The True God
We believe that there is only one living and true God, infinite in every excellence; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three personal distinctions—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit— each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. Ex. 20:2, 3; John 14:10,26; I Cor. 8:6; I John 5:7
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8
2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5
3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2
The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit
1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son and of the same substance and nature; that He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment; bears witness to the truth; is the Supernatural Agent of the New Birth; and that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses to, sanctifies, and helps the believer, indwelling every true child of God and sealing them unto the day of redemption. II Cor. 13:14; John 14:16, 17; Romans 8:14-27
2. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is once and for all at the time of regeneration. This baptism is the identification of the believer into the body of Christ. I Cor. 12:13
3. We believe that all saved are sealed or indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but not all are filled with the Spirit. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit and as we walk according to the will of God we are filled with the Spirit. Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27
4. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, Pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12
5. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. We believe that the modern day speaking in tongues, divine healing, and the charismatic movement are in no way related to the filling of the Spirit. 1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8-13; 14:21-22
The Devil or Satan
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10
Creation
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, “each after its own kind” by direct act in six literal twenty-four (24) hour days and not by the process of evolution. (Gen. 1, 2; Col. 1:10-17; John 1:3; Ex. 20:11) We reject evolution, the Day-Age theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. Gen. 1, 2; Lx. 20:11
The Fall of Man
We believe that man, in the person of the first Adam, was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s voluntary transgression the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is depraved and, of himself, – unable to remedy his lost condition. Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19
Redemption from Sin
We believe that the only escape from condemnation of sin is through the redemption wrought by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ when He voluntarily took upon Him a human body and nature, yet without sin. We believe His suffering, death, and resurrection made full satisfaction to the justice of God for the sin of man; that the blessings of this salvation are given on the grounds of grace to all who believe and that it is the immediate duty of all to accept these offers of mercy. John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Heb. 10:4-14; Acts 16:20-33
Salvation By Grace
1. We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus is the only condition of salvation from sin; and this salvation is wholly by grace, that no works, however good, make that salvation more secure. Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 10:9-13
2. We believe that all who take Christ as their personal Saviour are born from above and are eternally secure in Christ. John 10:28, 29; Rom. 8:38, 39; Phil. 1:6
3. We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. Rom. 13:13, 14; Gal. 5:13; Thus 2:11-15
The Church
We believe that the body of Christ, is manifest through the local church which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by 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 it by His Word, and that its officers are Pastor (bishop) and deacons; that it has absolute right of self-government directed by the Holy Spirit and it is answerable only to Christ; and that in all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline and benevolence the will of the local church is final. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 14:27; 20:17;ICor. 1:2; 6:4, 5; 7:17; 11:16; Eph. 4:8, 11-13;ITim.3:1-15
Separation
We believe that all saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded of God. Rom. 12:1,2; 14:13; II Cor. 6:14; 7:1; II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17;IIJohn9-11; 1 Coro:19-20.
The Ordinances
We believe that there are only two church ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water and is properly called “Believer’s Baptism.” It sets forth in a beautiful and solemn way our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour with the effects of that faith in our lives as it produces death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death until He. comes and of our continual fellowship with Him and should be preceded by baptism and always by careful self-examination. Acts 8:30-39; Rom. 6:3-5; I Cor. 11:23-32; Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; 18:8; I Cor. 11:23-26
The Eternal State
1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13
2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6
3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. We believe hell to be a literal place of incessant suffering for unbelievers, the devil, and his angels. Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15
The Second Coming
We believe in that blessed hope, the bodily, personal, imminent, pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ; that He will come before the seven year tribulation period into the air to catch away His church, followed by the Judgment Seat of Christ; and that He will personally and visibly return with His church at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and to set up His Kingdom on earth. I Thess. 4:13~18; II Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21
The Resurrection.
1. We believe in the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross. I Cor. 15:3,4
2. We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead, that believers who sleep in Jesus will be raised at the coming of Christ for His church and caught up with transformed living saints to meet the Lord in the air, and that the wicked dead will be raised at the close of the Millennial Kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their doom. John 5:21-30; I Thess. 4:16; Rev. 7:9-17; 20:11-15
Dispensationalism
We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. (Gen. 1:28, 2:7-15; 3:23; Ex. 19:8-20; John 1:17; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6
Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2) the church; 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 2:13, 14
Family Relationships
1. 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 (Pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
2. 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 Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16;Eph.5:21-33;6:1-4,Col.3:18-21;Heb. 13:4;IPet.3:1-7
Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, the question of a man who (even with scriptural warrant) has been divorced and remarried qualifying to serve in the office of pastor or deacon is of such a controversial nature that it is at the very least unwise. Mal. 2: 14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6
Missions
We believe that God has given the church a Great Commission to proclaim the gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20
Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9, 10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6, 7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17, 18; I John 3:17
Love
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
Music
Jesus Christ is the Head of each church. In His 33-1/2 years of life and ministry He never once emphasized music. The only record of Him ever singing a hymn was in the upper room before going out to the Mount of Olives and His arrest the night before His crucifixion. Christ’s first and last commission to His church was evangelism and discipleship; not worship, praise and music. Christ has never changed. The church should obey Him and please Him. The history of the church Christ planted and left on earth is recorded in the book of Acts. For 40 years after Christ’s ascension there is no record of the church using music. The only mention of music in the first 40 years is Paul and Silas singing praise in prison. Their emphasis was on evangelism and discipleship, not praise, worship and music. Our church will emphasize evangelism and discipleship, not music. Our music will focus on Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs that edify the body of Christ, praise the Lord and that originate from the heart out to God. We believe that contemporary “Christian” music is compromise with the world. We are to be transformed from the world, not conformed to it: therefore we will not embrace so-called “Christian” rock, rap, country or other forms that appear no different from the world’s music. Our music will be conservative, and will focus especially on old and new hymns using instruments and voices in a humble manner of congregational songs, choirs, cantatas and special music and arrangements. Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 4:19; Acts 1:8; Matthews 26:30; Hebrews 13:8; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 2:12; Psalm 40:3
Dress
We believe the Bible teaches that we are not to have respect of persons based on a one’s apparel. Whether rich or poor they are welcome in the local assembly – church. We believe men should not wear woman’s clothes and vice versa. We also believe that women should adorn themselves in modest apparel. We encourage all attenders to remember these principles when attending. Wearing nice clothes is always respectful to God and fellow believers. Each attender should do the best they can however, people will not be turned away based on their appearance. The only dress codes will be for leaders and teachers. These would include: Pastors, guest speakers, teachers, assistants, singers, instrumentalists, nursery workers, choir members, or those representing the church on visitation. The Pastor will inform these of any requirements. James 2:1-7; Deuteronomy 22:5; I Timothy 2:9
Calvinism
Our church does not embrace the doctrines of Calvinism or Arminianism. We do not believe that God has predestined some to Heaven and some to hell before the foundation of the world. God knows these things by His foreknowledge, but has not predestined these by election. (For example: Just because we know it’s going to snow in January in Western New York doesn’t mean we have predestined these events.) Because we do not know who will be saved it is our duty to get the Gospel to every creature on earth, believing it is God’s will for all mankind to be saved. We are a “whosoever will” church. We believe all can be saved. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Matthew 18:14; I Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 26:22-23
Marriage
The only marriage that we recognize is that which is between a man born male and a woman born female who unite in the sight of God as husband and wife in an official civil or religious ceremony. This marriage is to expire only by the death of one or the other. Biblically we cannot recognize the “marriage” of a man to a man, woman to a woman, polygamy, or any person claiming to be transgendered to another claiming transgendered person or man or woman. (Also see ARTICLE S regarding divorce and remarriage.) Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:28-31
Authority of Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, completely preserved in the KJV 1611 and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal, grammatical-historical meaning. We believe the King James Bible is the divinely preserved Word of God for English speaking people and that the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church for teaching and preaching. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20,21
The True God
We believe that there is only one living and true God, infinite in every excellence; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three personal distinctions—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit— each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. Ex. 20:2, 3; John 14:10,26; I Cor. 8:6; I John 5:7
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8
2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5
3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2
The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit
1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son and of the same substance and nature; that He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment; bears witness to the truth; is the Supernatural Agent of the New Birth; and that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses to, sanctifies, and helps the believer, indwelling every true child of God and sealing them unto the day of redemption. II Cor. 13:14; John 14:16, 17; Romans 8:14-27
2. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is once and for all at the time of regeneration. This baptism is the identification of the believer into the body of Christ. I Cor. 12:13
3. We believe that all saved are sealed or indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but not all are filled with the Spirit. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit and as we walk according to the will of God we are filled with the Spirit. Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27
4. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, Pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12
5. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. We believe that the modern day speaking in tongues, divine healing, and the charismatic movement are in no way related to the filling of the Spirit. 1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8-13; 14:21-22
The Devil or Satan
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10
Creation
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, “each after its own kind” by direct act in six literal twenty-four (24) hour days and not by the process of evolution. (Gen. 1, 2; Col. 1:10-17; John 1:3; Ex. 20:11) We reject evolution, the Day-Age theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. Gen. 1, 2; Lx. 20:11
The Fall of Man
We believe that man, in the person of the first Adam, was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s voluntary transgression the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is depraved and, of himself, – unable to remedy his lost condition. Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19
Redemption from Sin
We believe that the only escape from condemnation of sin is through the redemption wrought by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ when He voluntarily took upon Him a human body and nature, yet without sin. We believe His suffering, death, and resurrection made full satisfaction to the justice of God for the sin of man; that the blessings of this salvation are given on the grounds of grace to all who believe and that it is the immediate duty of all to accept these offers of mercy. John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Heb. 10:4-14; Acts 16:20-33
Salvation By Grace
1. We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus is the only condition of salvation from sin; and this salvation is wholly by grace, that no works, however good, make that salvation more secure. Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 10:9-13
2. We believe that all who take Christ as their personal Saviour are born from above and are eternally secure in Christ. John 10:28, 29; Rom. 8:38, 39; Phil. 1:6
3. We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. Rom. 13:13, 14; Gal. 5:13; Thus 2:11-15
The Church
We believe that the body of Christ, is manifest through the local church which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by 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 it by His Word, and that its officers are Pastor (bishop) and deacons; that it has absolute right of self-government directed by the Holy Spirit and it is answerable only to Christ; and that in all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline and benevolence the will of the local church is final. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 14:27; 20:17;ICor. 1:2; 6:4, 5; 7:17; 11:16; Eph. 4:8, 11-13;ITim.3:1-15
Separation
We believe that all saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded of God. Rom. 12:1,2; 14:13; II Cor. 6:14; 7:1; II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17;IIJohn9-11; 1 Coro:19-20.
The Ordinances
We believe that there are only two church ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water and is properly called “Believer’s Baptism.” It sets forth in a beautiful and solemn way our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour with the effects of that faith in our lives as it produces death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death until He. comes and of our continual fellowship with Him and should be preceded by baptism and always by careful self-examination. Acts 8:30-39; Rom. 6:3-5; I Cor. 11:23-32; Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; 18:8; I Cor. 11:23-26
The Eternal State
1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13
2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6
3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. We believe hell to be a literal place of incessant suffering for unbelievers, the devil, and his angels. Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15
The Second Coming
We believe in that blessed hope, the bodily, personal, imminent, pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ; that He will come before the seven year tribulation period into the air to catch away His church, followed by the Judgment Seat of Christ; and that He will personally and visibly return with His church at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and to set up His Kingdom on earth. I Thess. 4:13~18; II Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21
The Resurrection.
1. We believe in the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross. I Cor. 15:3,4
2. We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead, that believers who sleep in Jesus will be raised at the coming of Christ for His church and caught up with transformed living saints to meet the Lord in the air, and that the wicked dead will be raised at the close of the Millennial Kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their doom. John 5:21-30; I Thess. 4:16; Rev. 7:9-17; 20:11-15
Dispensationalism
We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. (Gen. 1:28, 2:7-15; 3:23; Ex. 19:8-20; John 1:17; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6
Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2) the church; 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 2:13, 14
Family Relationships
1. 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 (Pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
2. 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 Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16;Eph.5:21-33;6:1-4,Col.3:18-21;Heb. 13:4;IPet.3:1-7
Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, the question of a man who (even with scriptural warrant) has been divorced and remarried qualifying to serve in the office of pastor or deacon is of such a controversial nature that it is at the very least unwise. Mal. 2: 14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6
Missions
We believe that God has given the church a Great Commission to proclaim the gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20
Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9, 10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6, 7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17, 18; I John 3:17
Love
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
Music
Jesus Christ is the Head of each church. In His 33-1/2 years of life and ministry He never once emphasized music. The only record of Him ever singing a hymn was in the upper room before going out to the Mount of Olives and His arrest the night before His crucifixion. Christ’s first and last commission to His church was evangelism and discipleship; not worship, praise and music. Christ has never changed. The church should obey Him and please Him. The history of the church Christ planted and left on earth is recorded in the book of Acts. For 40 years after Christ’s ascension there is no record of the church using music. The only mention of music in the first 40 years is Paul and Silas singing praise in prison. Their emphasis was on evangelism and discipleship, not praise, worship and music. Our church will emphasize evangelism and discipleship, not music. Our music will focus on Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs that edify the body of Christ, praise the Lord and that originate from the heart out to God. We believe that contemporary “Christian” music is compromise with the world. We are to be transformed from the world, not conformed to it: therefore we will not embrace so-called “Christian” rock, rap, country or other forms that appear no different from the world’s music. Our music will be conservative, and will focus especially on old and new hymns using instruments and voices in a humble manner of congregational songs, choirs, cantatas and special music and arrangements. Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 4:19; Acts 1:8; Matthews 26:30; Hebrews 13:8; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 2:12; Psalm 40:3
Dress
We believe the Bible teaches that we are not to have respect of persons based on a one’s apparel. Whether rich or poor they are welcome in the local assembly – church. We believe men should not wear woman’s clothes and vice versa. We also believe that women should adorn themselves in modest apparel. We encourage all attenders to remember these principles when attending. Wearing nice clothes is always respectful to God and fellow believers. Each attender should do the best they can however, people will not be turned away based on their appearance. The only dress codes will be for leaders and teachers. These would include: Pastors, guest speakers, teachers, assistants, singers, instrumentalists, nursery workers, choir members, or those representing the church on visitation. The Pastor will inform these of any requirements. James 2:1-7; Deuteronomy 22:5; I Timothy 2:9
Calvinism
Our church does not embrace the doctrines of Calvinism or Arminianism. We do not believe that God has predestined some to Heaven and some to hell before the foundation of the world. God knows these things by His foreknowledge, but has not predestined these by election. (For example: Just because we know it’s going to snow in January in Western New York doesn’t mean we have predestined these events.) Because we do not know who will be saved it is our duty to get the Gospel to every creature on earth, believing it is God’s will for all mankind to be saved. We are a “whosoever will” church. We believe all can be saved. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Matthew 18:14; I Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 26:22-23
Marriage
The only marriage that we recognize is that which is between a man born male and a woman born female who unite in the sight of God as husband and wife in an official civil or religious ceremony. This marriage is to expire only by the death of one or the other. Biblically we cannot recognize the “marriage” of a man to a man, woman to a woman, polygamy, or any person claiming to be transgendered to another claiming transgendered person or man or woman. (Also see ARTICLE S regarding divorce and remarriage.) Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:28-31
Authority of Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.
we would love to have you come and visit soon!
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location985 Church Road
Angola, NY 14006 |
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