We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect
treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and
truth without any mixture of error for its matter, that it reveals the principles by which
God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true
center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds,
and opinions should be tried.
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Tim. 3:15; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; Phil. 3:16; I John 4:1
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite intelligent
Spirit, whose name is YAHWEH, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love;
that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in
the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; Ps. 83:18; Heb.3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer.10:10; Ex.15:11; Ps.147:5; Isa.6:3; I
Pet.1:15-16; Rev.4:6-8; Mark12:30; Rev.4:11; Matt.10:37; Jer.2:12-13; Matt.28:19; John
15:26; I Cor.12:4-6; I John 5:7; John10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5&10; Acts
5:3-4; I Cor.2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor.13:14; Rev. 1:4-5
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by
voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all
mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of
that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under
just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Gen.1:27; Gen.1:31; Ecc.7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen.2:16-17; Gen.3:6-24; Rom. 5:12;
Rom.5:15-19; Ps.51:5; Rom.8:7; Isa.53:6; Gen.6:12; Rom.3:9-18; Eph.2:1-3;
Rom.1:18,32; Rom.2:1-16; Gal.3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom.1:20; Rom.3:19;
Gal. 3:22
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatorial
offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon him our
nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his
death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now
enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with
divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-
sufficient Saviour.
Eph.2:3, Matt. 18:11, I John4:10, I Cor.3:5-7, Acts 15:11, John 3:16, John1:1-14, Heb.
4:14, Heb. 12-24, Phil. 2:9&14, II Cor. 5:21, Isa. 42:21, Phil. 2:8, Gal. 4:4-5, Rom. 3:21,
Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 20:28, Rom.4:25, Rom. 3:21-26, I John 2:3, I Cor. 15:1-3, Heb.9:13-15,
Heb.1:8, Heb. 1:3, Col. 3:1-4, Heb. 7:25, Col. 2:18, Heb. 7:26, Ps. 89:19, Ps.34
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him
is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life
on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of
righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by
virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it
brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other
blessing needful for time and eternity.
John 1:16, Eph.3:8, Acts 13:39, Isa. 53:11-12, Rom5:1-2, Rom. 5:9, Zech. 13;1, Matt.
9:6, Acts 10:43, Rom. 5:17, Titus 3:5-7, I Peter 3:7, I John 2:25, Rom. 5:21, Rom. 4:4-5,
Rom. 6:23, Phil. 3:7-9, Rom. 5:19, Rom. 3:24-26, Rom.4:23-25, I John 2:12, Rom. 5:3,
Rom. 5:11, I Cor. 1:30-31, Matt. 6:33, I Tim. 4:8
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the
immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent, and obedient faith; and that
nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent
depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an
aggravated condemnation.
Isa. 55:1, Rev. 22:17, Rom. 16:25-26, Mark 1:15, Rom. 1:15-17, John 5:40, Matt.23:37,
Rom.9:32, Pro. 1:24, Acts 13:46, John 3:19, Matt. 11:20, Luke 10:27, II Thess. 1:8
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that
regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a
manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with
divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper
evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life
John 3:3, John 3:6-7, I Cor.3:14, Rev.14:3, Rev. 21:27, II Cor. 5;17, Ezek. 36:26, Deu.
30-6, Rom. 2:28-29, Rom.5:5, I John 4:7, John 3:8, John 1:13, James 1:16-18, I Cor.
1:30, Phil. 2:13, I Peter 1:22-25, I John 5:1, Eph. 4:20-24, Col. 3:9-11, Eph. 5:9, Rom.
8:90, Gal. 5:16-23, Eph. 3:14-21, Matt. 3:8-10, Matt.7:20, I John 5:4, 18
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces,
wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced
of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to
God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time
heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on
him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Mark 1:15, Acts 11:18, Eph. 2:8, I John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 16:30-31
Luke 18:13, Luke 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, II Cor. 7:11, Tim. 10:12-13, Ps.51, Rom.
10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Heb. 4:14, Ps.2:6, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 7:25, II Tim. 1:12
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously
regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free
agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most
glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and
unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer,
praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of
means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly
believe the gospel, that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it
with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
II Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; I Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15;16; I John 4:19; II Thess.
2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15;
Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3; Rom.11:28-29; James 1:17-18; II Tim.1:9; Rom.
11:32-36; I Cor. 1:26-31; Rom.3:27; Rom. 4:16; Col.3:12; I Cor. 3:5-7; I Cor. 15:10; I
Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; I Thess. 2:13; I Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; I Thess. 2:12; II
Tim. 2:10; I Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; I Thess 1:4-10; Isa. 42:16; Rom.
11:29; II Peter 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11
We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we
are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in
regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power
of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-
especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
I Thess. 4:3; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; II Cor. 13:10; Phil. 3:12-16; I John 2:29; Rom. 8:5;
Eph. 1:4; Pro. 4:18; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph.
1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35;
Luke 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph.6:18; Eph.4:30
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end: that their persevering
attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial
professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by
the power of God through faith unto salvation.
John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-
21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps.121:3; Ps. 91:11-12;
Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb.1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; I John 4:4
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral
government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the scriptures
ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; 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.
Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:15; Rom. 7:12; Rom.7:7,14-22;
Gal.3:21; Ps. 119; Rom.8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom. 8:2-4;
Rom. 10:4; I Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20&21
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers,
associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances
of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in
them by his word; that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons
whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
I Cor. 1:1-3; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; I Cor. 4:17; I Cor. 14:23;
III John 9; I Tim. 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; II Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; I Cor. 5:12-13; I Cor. 11:2; II
Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; I Cor.11:23-24; Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:6; II Cor. 2:17; I
Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; I John 14:21; I Thess. 4:2; II John 6; Gal.
6:2; Eph. 4:7; I Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; I Tim. 3; Titus 1
We believe that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the
name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; 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
relation, 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.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts
2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Gal.3:26-28; Rom.6:4; Col.
2:12; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark
14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Cor.11:28; I Cor. 5:1-8; I Cor. 10:3-32; I Cor. 11:17-32; John
6:26
The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance.
It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and
spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with
the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36;
John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16;
Revelation 1:10
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good
order of human society,; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously
honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:1-7; Deu. 16:18; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I
Peter 2:13; I Tim. 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt.28; Dan. 3:15-18; Dan. 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20;
Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Ps.72:11; Ps.2; Rom. 14:9-13
We 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 as
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.
Mal. 3:18; Pro. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16; Rom.
1:17; Rom. 7:6; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Rom. 6:18,22; I Cor. 11:32; Pro. 11:31; I Peter
4:17-18; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6-7; Pro. 14:32;
Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Pro. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; Ecc. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-
14
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will
descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn
separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment,
and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of
men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
I Peter 4:7; I Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; I John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; Matt.
13:39-40; II Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; I Thess 4:13-18; I
Thess. 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2 John 5:28-29; John
6:40; John 11:25-26; II Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49; Matt. 13:37-43; Matt. 24:30-
31; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 22:11; I Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; II Peter 2:9; Jude7; Phil.
3:19; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; II Cor. 4:18; Rom. 3:5-6; II Thess. 1:6-12:
Heb. 6:1-2; I Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.20:11-12; I John 2:28; I John 4:17;
II Peter 3:11-12
All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in
human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of
righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the
regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ,
Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual
immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the
orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the
unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian
should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of
righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to
work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love
without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16;
Matthew 5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25;
John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28;
Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons
related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's
unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman
in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to
biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage
relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved
the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family.
A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church
willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus
equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in
managing the household and nurturing the next generation.
Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to
demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual
and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make
choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28;
Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; Psalms 127; Psalms 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24;
14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi
2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16;
Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews
13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.