ARTICLES OF FAITH

I.    Of the Scriptures - We believe 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. 

II.    Of the True God - We believe that there is only one living and true God. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.

III.   Of the Fall of Man - We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through temptation of Satan, he trnasgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness.

IV.   Of the Way of Salvation - We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through Jesus Christ who died for ours sins, arose from the dead, and returned to Heaven as our Saviour.

V.    Of Justification - We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ.

VI.   Of the Freeness of Salvation - We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penetent and obedient faith.

VII.   Of Grace in Regeneration - We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness.

VIII.  Of Repentance and Faith - We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God.

IX.    Of God’s Purpose of Grace - We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners.

X.    Of Sanctification - We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness.

XI.    Of the Perseverance of Saints - We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end.

XII.   Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel - We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government.

XIII.  Of a Gospel Church - 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.

XIV.  Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper - We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour.  Baptism is a prerequisite 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.

XV.    Of the Christian Sabbath - We believe 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.

XVI.   Of Civil Government - 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.

XVII.  Of the Righteous and the Wicked - We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.  Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and are under condemnation.

XVIII.  Of Christian Education - We believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

XIX.    Of Social Service - We believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ regnant in his own life and in human society; to oppose in the Spirit of Christ every form of greed; selfishness and vice to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick.

XX.    Of Stewardship - We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him.  We are therefore under obligation to serve Him with our time, talents and material possessions.

XXI.   Of Evangelism and Missions - We believe that it is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

XXII.   Of the Resurrection - We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead.

XXIII.  Of the Return of the Lord - We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth.

XXIV.  Of the World to Come - 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 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.