Statement of Faith

Purpose and Doctrinal Statement of Faith

The purpose of this church is to glorify the God of the Bible. We do this by promoting His worship, both corporately and individually, evangelizing sinners, and by edifying His saints (Philippians 3:3; 1 Peter 2:4; Matthew 28:18-20). We are, therefore, committed to the proclamation of God’s perfect Law and the glorious Gospel of His Grace through all the world to the defense of that “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

We regard the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (with the following clarifications as noted below) as excellent, though not inspired, expressions of the teaching of the Word of God. Because we acknowledge the Word of God written to be the supreme authority in all matters of faith, morals, and order, we adopt this historic document as our doctrinal standards. We find them to be an assistance in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of growth in grace.

As concerning subscription to the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689:

(1)   We agree that mastery of London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 is not required of any new disciple before the church admits him into membership. Such a requirement would violate the order of Matthew 28:19-20, which instructs us to preach the Gospel, to baptize, and then to teach the baptized disciple to observe all things Christ has commanded. It is necessary; however, that any disciple applying for membership display a willingness to be taught and substantial agreement with what he already knows concerning the church’s doctrine and government.

(2)   Any individual set apart to the office of Pastor or Deacon, or any member engaged in the ministry of the Word, must be able to affirm conscientiously his full agreement with the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 as adopted, clarification statements in this section, and By-Laws. If he should at any time move from this position, he would be under spiritual and moral obligation to make known immediately that fact in an orderly manner.

As concerning Chapter 1, Of the Holy Scriptures, paragraph 8, we hold that the Authorized (King James Bible) Version is the best representative of the preserved Hebrew and Greek Scriptures for English speaking people; further, the Authorized (King James Bible) Version is to be used in all preaching, teaching, and public worship; and is commended for private devotions.

As concerning Chapter 10, Of Effectual Calling, paragraph 3, we understand that it is not to be regarded as teaching that any who die in infancy are lost. We believe that all dying in infancy are included in the election of grace, and are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when and where and how he pleases.

As concerning Chapter 32, Of the Last Judgment, we add the following clarification on the end-time events: we believe that the second coming of Christ is to be pre-millennial, bodily, visible, and that it will consist of two stages: His pre-tribulational appearance in the air and His post-tribulational coming to earth; that at the rapture all those who sleep in Christ will be raised in glorified bodies and all saints who live and remain on the earth will be translated that they should not see death and caught up with them in the air (I Thess. 4:13-18); that at His coming to earth (Matt. 24:29-31) He will sit on the throne of His glory for the first time (Matt. 25:31, Rev. 3:21), judging all men then living on the earth (Isa. 11 :3-4), receiving the righteous into His kingdom and sending the unrighteous into everlasting fire (Matt. 25:31-46); that the throne of David is His throne (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33); that the two stages of His coming will be separated by a seven-years tribulation period (Dan. 9:24-27; Rev. 11:1-19) during which the woes depicted in the Book of Revelation will be poured out during the reign of the Antichrist (Rev. 6-19); that during the tribulation period on earth the judgment seat of Christ and the marriage of the Lamb will take place in Heaven (Matt. 5:11-12; I Cor. 3:10-15; II Cor. 5:9-10; Rev. 19:1-9) after which the Lord Jesus Christ will return with all the saints for the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14-16; 19:11-12); that Satan will be bound a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3), and the saints will reign a thousand years with Christ on earth (Ps. 149:5-9; Dan. 7:18, 27; II Tim. 2:12; Rev. 1:5-6; 2:26-27; 5:9-10; 20:4-6).