We believe that the Bible, specifically the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, was written by men divinely inspired, and is the complete and 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.

Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Ps. 19:7-10; 119:11, 89,105,140; Prov. 30:5-6; Is. 34:16; 40:8; Jer. 15:16; 36:1-32; Matt. 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16; 17:11; Rom. 2:12; 15:4; 16:25-26; Phil. 3:16; 1 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 4:1

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, a personal and intelligent Spirit, whose name is LORD, the maker, preserver and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, infinite in all perfections, 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 Spirit; equal in every divine perfection and without division of nature, essence, or being; yet each having distinct personal attributes 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; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5

We believe that God, from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free agency and responsibility of intelligent creatures.

Job 38:11; Isa. 46:9-11; Ps. 50:21; 135:6; Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:29-31; Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:11; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; James 1:13-15; 1 John 2:16

We believe that God created all humanity in his own image, male and female, as the crowning work of his creation, and thus abhors all forms of racism and ethnic and gender superiority; that his design extends over gender, where such divinely ordained differences between male and female are meant for human good and human flourishing; and over marriage which is the covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong, union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife, and is itself a picture of the covenant love between Christ and his bride the church; and over singleness, which is a gracious gift God gives in order to serve him freely without distraction and divided interests, and to remind us that the human marriage is not the final destiny of anyone, for all who are in Christ will ultimately and gloriously be wed to Christ himself.

Gen. 1:26-30; 2:5, 7, 18-22, 24; 3; 9:6; Ex. 21:16; Ps. 1; 8:3-6; 139:14; Matt. 19:4-6; 19:10-12; Mark 10:6-9; 12:25; 1 Cor. 7:1-9, 25-35, 38-40; Col. 1:16; Eph. 5:25-32; 1 Tim. 1:10; Rev. 7:17; 19:7-9; 2 Cor. 11:2; Isa. 54:5; Rev. 21:9-10; Mark 2:19-20

We believe that though originally free from sin, humanity voluntarily transgressed the command of God, and fell from that holy and blessed state; in consequence of which all people are now sinners, not by constraint but by 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; 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, and is accomplished through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; who is the divinely appointed mediator between God and humanity; who without sin took upon himself human nature and perfectly fulfilled the divine law; who by his death upon the cross made a full atonement for the sins of his people; and who rose from the dead and ascended to his father, at whose right hand he now sits enthroned, ever living to make intercession for his people. He is the only mediator, the prophet, priest, and king of the church, and is therefore in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient savior.

Eph. 2:4-5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; Phil. 2:9, 14; 2 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; 1 John 2:3; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15; Heb.1:3, 8; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:18; Heb. 7:26; Ps. 89:19; Ps.34

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 heartfelt, 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; 2 Thess. 1:8

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of persons, 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.

2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15;16; 1 John 4:19; 2 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; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36; 1 Cor. 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; Rom. 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 1 Thess. 1:4-10; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who revives the dead in trespasses and sins, spiritually and savingly enlightening their minds to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature so that they voluntarily love and practice holiness; that it is a work of God’s free and special grace; 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; 1 Cor. 3:14; Rev. 14:3; Rev. 21:27; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; Rom. 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8, John 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11; Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; Matt. 7:20; 1 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 genuine sorrow, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and relying upon him alone for salvation.

Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 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; 2 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; 2 Tim. 1:12

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in him is justification; that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners wherein he removes our guilt and reconciles us to himself; that it is bestowed through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not in consideration of anything wrought in us or done by us, but solely on account of his substitutionary death on the cross, and on the basis of his perfect righteousness, which is freely imputed to us by God; and 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; Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 4:4-5; Rom. 6:23; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:24-26; 4:23-25′ 1 John 2:12; Rom. 5:3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8

We believe that sanctification is both the declaration that we are holy on the basis of Christ’s imputed righteousness, and the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness. Progressive sanctification begins in regeneration, and is carried on for the duration of life 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, the communion of the saints, self- examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.

1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Cor. 13:10; Phil. 3:12-16; 1 John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Eph. 1:4; Pro. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; Eph. 4:30

We believe that those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by his Holy Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that the Godhead watches over their welfare; and that though they may fall through neglect and temptation into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the church and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 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; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4

We believe that Christians are to associate themselves into visible churches, according to the Lord’s command; that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, bound together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, and exercising the various gifts given them by the Holy Spirit for building up the church and making disciples of all nations; that its authority extends over the membership, discipline, doctrine and leadership of the church; that its primary duties are the reading and preaching of God’s Word and the right administration of Christ’s ordinances, including the faithful exercise of discipline over its members; and that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, and while both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to qualified men according to Scripture.

Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:10, 22, 23; 5:23, 27, 32; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26; Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20-22; 1 Cor. 5; Matt. 16:18-19; Ps. 72:17; 102:28; Rev. 12:17; Heb.10:24-25; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11, 12; Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 1:6-9; Acts 2:41-42; 5:13-14; 2 Cor. 9:13; 1 Cor. 1:1-3; 5:4-5, 13; Gal. 6:2; 2 Cor. 2:6-8; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-24; Acts 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1; 3 John 9; Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14; Acts 6:3, 5-6; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9

We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances of Christ, instituted by him, and belong to the gathered church, marking off believers from unbelievers and making the church visible on earth. We believe that baptism is obligatory upon every believer, wherein one is baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that it is to be done by immersion to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that its only proper subjects are those who do actually profess repentance towards God, and faith in and obedience to the Lord Jesus; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, and to the Lord’s Supper.

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed by his churches until the end of the world; that it is to be observed by the eating of bread and the drinking of the cup; and that it is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge, and renewal of their communion with him, and of their church fellowship.

Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Matt. 3:5-6; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-28. Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-39; 18:8; Matt. 3:16; John 3:23; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17, 21; Heb. 9:25, 26, 28; Matt. 26:26, 27; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15; 1 Cor. 11:27-29, 33; Matt. 7:6; John 6:26; Luke 22:14-20

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.

Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Ex. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Ps. 118:15, 24; Isa. 58:13-14; Isa. 56:2-8; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3; Ps. 26:8; Ps. 87:3; Heb. 4:3-11

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that government officials 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 Prince of the kings of the earth.

Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt. 28; Dan. 3:15-18; 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 only those who are justified through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among persons 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; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Pro. 11:31; 1 Peter 4:17-18; 1 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 death is not the end; that though our bodies after death return to dust, our spirits live on awaiting the bodily resurrection, the righteous departing immediately to be with the Lord, and the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead, both righteous and wicked, from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place which will fix forever the final state of persons in heaven or hell, the wicked being adjudged to everlasting conscious punishment, and the righteous to everlasting life and joy.

1 Peter 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; Matt. 13:39-40; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2 John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49; Matt. 13:37-43; Matt. 24:30- 31; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18; 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; 1 John 4:17; 2 Peter 3:11-12