Services

1. OF THE SCRIPTURES

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 opionions should be tried.

III Timotny 3:16 All Scriptures is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2. THE TRUE GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach 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; 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.

St. John 4:24 God is a Spirit. Psalms 147:5 His understanding is infinite.

3. THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from the holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are 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.

Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own image. Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold it was very good.

4. THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.

Ephesians 2:8 By grace are ye saved. St. Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

5. JUSTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach 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.

St. John 1:16 Of His fulness have all we received. Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

6. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Revelation 22:17 Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

7. GRACE IN REGENERATION

We believe that the Scriptures teach 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.

St. John 3:3 Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. St. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.

8. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our soul~ 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 or him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

St. Mark 1:15 Repent ye, and believe the gospel. Acts 11:18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

9. GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE

We believe the Scriptures teach 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 wit~ the end; that 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 encourage! 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 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisioner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ before the world began.

10. SANCTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach 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 Healer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer; and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties.

I Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.

I Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly.

11. PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS

We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerated. being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally periish, but endure unto the end; that their preserving attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

St. John 8:31 Then said Jesus, If ye continue in my Word then are ye my disciples indeed, I John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of HIm abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.

12. HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

We believe the Scriptures teach 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, arise 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.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law. St. Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am come to destroy, but to fulfill.

13. A GOSPEL CHURCH

We believe the Scriptures teach 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 Epistle to Timothy and Titus.

I Corinthians 1:1-13 Paul unto the Church of God which is at Corinth is Christ divide? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe the Scriptures teach that 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 wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Acts 8:36-39 And the eunuch said, See here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

I Corinthians 11:26 As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come.

15. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH

We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observances of all means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for the rest that remaineth for the people of God.

Acts 20:7 Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them. Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it He has rested from all His work which God created and made.

16. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest 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. But that civil rulers have no rights of control over or of interference with, religious matters.

Romans 13:1-7 The powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

17. RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe the Scriptures teach 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.

Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that servth Him not. Proverbs 12:26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor, but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

18. THE WORLD TO COME

We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 for 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.

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethen, the time is short; it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none.