The Scriptures
We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration, of the Old and New Testaments, and authority of the Scripture. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that it does not just contain the Word of God. We believe that it [the Bible] is without error, and is the first and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2Pt 1:20, 21)
We believe that the Bible has been preserved by God, to every generation, through the Hebrew Masoretic text and the Greek Textus Receptus (TR).
We believe that the King James version is the faithful and accurate (from the Masoretic & TR) translation for the English-speaking people. It is the only English version we use in personal study and preaching, and we do not preach for ministries holding a different textual position. (2Tim 3:16-17; 2Pt 1:19-21; Mt 5:18; Ps 12:6-7)
The Way of Salvation
We believe that Christ died for the sins of all mankind and that salvation is by grace, through faith, plus nothing and minus nothing, based on the finished work of Christ on the cross.
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition for salvation (Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3:25; 1John 4:10; 1Corinthians 15:3; 2Corinthians 5:21).
Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification. We believe that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, on principles of His righteousness. We believe 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; His righteousness is imputed to us.(Rom. 3:24-26; Rom. 3:28; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 5:9; Gal. 2:16; Gal. 3:24; Titus 3:7).
Eternal Security
We believe the believer is secure for all eternity. (Phil 1:6; Jn 10:28-29; Rom 8:25-39)
Hell
We believe that because of man’s sin (Rom 5:12-14), all men are sinners and condemned to eternal death – everlasting separation from God in a literal Hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:12-15). We believe in the everlasting, conscious blessedness of the saved in Heaven and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost in Hell.
The Godhead
We believe in the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.) They are equal in every divine perfection and execution, distinct but harmonious offices, in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20:2,3; I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; I John 5:7)
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, is infinite God, co-existent and co-equal with the Father; that He condescended to man, but in His incarnation never lost any of His deity. He was sinless and is the Savior of all mankind.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ and His bodily ascension into Heaven, where He now intercedes for believers. (John 1:1-4, John 10:30; Hebrews 1:1-3)
The Holy Spirit
The ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit’ was an historical event that occurred once in the Bible (at Pentecost; Acts 2:4). At Salvation, each believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the command to be ‘filled with the Spirit / walk in the Spirit’ is a daily instruction to every believer. (Gal 5:16; Eph 5:18)
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature. He was active in the Creation. In His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony. He is the agent in the new birth. He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (John 14:16; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5,6; Ephesians 1:13; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:16; Romans 8:26,27)
The Church
The NT church is an assembly of born-again, baptized believers, associated by membership, to continue in fellowship and doctrine. The ‘body of Christ’ is a term synonymous with ‘believers’, but we see no Scriptural basis for the ‘Universal Church’ concept, and believe it to be unBiblical.
We believe that the local church is God’s institution to carry out the Great Commission.
(Acts 2:41; 1Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; 1Timothy 3:1-13; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23,24)
Baptism
We believe that baptism by immersion for believers (a public testimony of salvation, picturing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ) is the Biblical method of baptism. (Acts 8:26-39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12).
The Rapture
We believe in the imminent, literal, pre-tribulational rapture of all believers. (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1Thessalonians 4:16-18; James 5:8; Hebrews 9:28)
Premillennialism
We believe in the pre-millennial return and millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 11:4-5 Psalms 72:8; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:6)
Satan
We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 4:1-3; 2Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10).
Creation
We believe the Genesis account of Creation as taking six literal twenty-four hour days, and believe that man came by the direct creation of God and not by any process of evolution. (Genesis 1 & 2; Col 1:16,17; Jn 1:3)
Baptist
Historically, the term Protestant refers to any denomination that is not Catholic. To call ourselves such would be to accept all manners of faith and practice of every other denomination. We are Independent, Fundamental, Baptists, by conviction, and see no room for compromise or ‘blurring of the lines’ between being a Biblicist (following Jesus) and being a Religionist (following man and his opinions).
[On this note, as an independent, fundamental, Baptist evangelist, I am very careful about where I agree to preach. I only preach in independent, fundamental, Baptist Churches – both in belief and name.]
Calvinism & Arminianism
We believe that both views (Calvinism & Arminianism), and the five points of the TULIP, are unBiblical! I am NOT a Calvinist, nor do I claim any part of Calvinism or Arminianism (including ANY PART of the TULIP)!
Separation
The local church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to be holy, obedient and separate from sin and worldliness (1Pt 1:13-16; 2Cor 6:14). This includes separation from all forms of false doctrine and compromise (liberalism, ecumenicism, neo-evangelicalism, the charismatic and contemporary church movements Eph 5:6-11).