| Statement Of Faith |
| Ebenezer Baptist Church - 7035 Township Road 234 - Logan, Ohio 43138 - (740) 385-8411 |
| Ministering to the Hocking Valley Since 1837 |
1. The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The
Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six
books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be
interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historic meaning. Scripture is a perfect treasure of divine instruction.
It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore all
Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will
remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,
creeds and religious opinions should be tried. All scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine
revelation.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah
15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans
15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
II. The Godhead (God)
We believe the Scriptures teach there is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual and
personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other
perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and
future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
God is triune, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-each co-eternal in being, co-identical in
nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
Matthew 28:19; John 14:26, 15:26; II Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2; I John 5:7.
A. God the Father
We believe the Scriptures teach that God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and
the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is omnipotent, omniscient,
omnipresent, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus
Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm
19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13;
17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17;
Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17.
B. God the Son
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be
God (His deity), having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God
and redeem sinful man. Jesus took upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identified Himself
completely with mankind, yet without sin.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross
as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the
person who was with them before His crucifixion.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of
God where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor and Advocate. He will return in
power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27;
28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-
16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1
Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10;
Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-
3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9;
Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of
judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ,
indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will
bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in
worship, evangelism and service.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit inspired holy men of old to write scriptures and through illumination
assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit cultivates Christian character and
comforts believers.
We believe the Scriptures teach that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer by
which he serves God through His church. We believe the Bible limits the authenticity of the sign gifts such as speaking in
tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles and healing to the early church and that the “experience-oriented” theology
of many in the Charismatic movement is false teaching. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign
of baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. This does not limit the sovereignty of God or His ability to perform miracles as He so
chooses. God can choose to heal physically through the prayers of the believers, and do as He so pleases in anything
for His glory. We believe in the anointing with oil and praying for the sick as so directed in scripture also knowing that
ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32;
Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-
17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-
11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians
5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; James 5:14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7;
Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
III. Man (Mankind)
We believe the Scriptures teach that man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. God created them male
and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation.
Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God; by his free choice; and fell from his original
innocence whereby man inherits a sinful nature, and is alienated from God and under condemnation. Man is totally
depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy
fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purposes of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that
God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full
dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:
26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29;
1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
IV. Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who
accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its
broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart
from personal faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become
new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the
sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable
experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and
commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
We believe the Scriptures teach that justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness
of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor
with God.
We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is
set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
We believe the Scriptures teach that glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state
of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-
14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18;
2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2
Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13;
Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-
12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
V. God’s Purpose of Grace and the Security of the Believer
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates,
justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in
connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, which is infinitely wise, holy, and
unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
We believe the Scriptures teach that once saved, all the redeemed are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in
Christ forever. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His
Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through
neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the
cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the
testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:
22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:
6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 3:15; 15:24-28;
Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Titus 2:11-15;
Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
VI. The Church
We believe the Scriptures teach that a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local
congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two
ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and
seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any
external authority or control. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes.
We believe in single (multiple when dictated by growth), pastor (elder) congregationalism view of church polity. Even
when growth dictates the need for multiple pastors (elders) the senior pastor remains the decisive spiritual leader of the
body. It is important to note that within the New Testament model of church organization, authority for leadership is not
granted to just one individual minister, nor is it given as democratic rule by the congregation. Instead, the Scripture
states that authority for leadership is conducted by godly leaders who are appointed by the Church and accountable to
God. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are
pastors (elders) and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder
and deacon is limited to men as qualified by Scripture in the epistles to Timothy and Titus. This does not eliminate the
role of the deaconess (a deacon’s wife and or duly appointed, biblically qualified women) who serves in a helps ministry
role that does not violate the biblical principle of I Timothy 2:9-14.
We believe this definition of the local church leads to these Scriptural distinctives:
(1) Sole authority of the Scriptures for faith and practice; (2) Autonomy of the local church; (3) Believers’ baptism by
immersion before church membership; (4) Two offices, pastor (elder, bishop) and deacon; (5) Two symbolic ordinances,
baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion); (6) Individual priesthood of the believer and soul liberty; (7) Separation of
church and state. (Meaning the church is free to operate without government intervention, however it does not mean that
the church may not have a spiritual impact, directly or indirectly, on the state)
We believe the Scriptures teach also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the
ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1
Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1;
Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen
Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ
Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the
privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
We believe the Scriptures teach that The Lord's Supper (Communion) is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members
of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and
anticipate His second coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-
39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
VIII. The Lord’s Day
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It commemorates the resurrection of
Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. It is a
Christian institution for regular observance by giving of our time and resources to further our evangelistic outreach.
Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:
7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
IX. Separation
We believe the Scriptures teach that every believer should be separated unto God from the world, and by the aid of the
Holy Spirit, should walk in Christian love and holiness, exhibiting qualities of honesty, integrity, forgiveness and loving-
kindness. We further believe that any achievement in these characteristics will be evidenced by sincere humility and
genuine zeal for the advancement of the cause of Christ. We also believe the Scriptures admonish every believer not to
love the world or the things in the world, but rather to flee evil desires, avoid every kind of evil and refrain from
questionable practices and immodest appearances which destroy one’s testimony, offend one’s brother and fail to glorify
God.
Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Corinthians. 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; 1Corinthians 6:19-20.
X. The Kingdom
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and
His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation
into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the
Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus
Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15;
9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1
Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-
22.
XI. Dispensations
We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules
of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather
are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Seven of these dispensations—
Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law/Israel, Grace/Church, and the Kingdom—are the subjects of
revelation in Scripture. These dispensations do not negate God’s covenants from both the Old and New Testaments,
but are intertwined with great harmony.
Genesis 1:28-3:6; Genesis 3:7-8:14; Genesis 8:15-11:9; Genesis 11:10-Exodus 18:27; Exodus 19-John 14:30; Acts 2:1;
Revelation 19:21; Revelation 20:1-15
XII. Last Things
We believe the Scriptures teach the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture His church prior to the seven-
year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish
His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel.
We believe the Scriptures teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment
and everlasting punishment.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the
Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified
forever with the Lord.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment
until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment,
and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and
torment.
Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:
64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1
Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18;
5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.;
1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
XIII. Israel
We believe the Scriptures teach in the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people, that she is now
dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after
the completion of the Church, she will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ.
Genesis 13:14-17; Romans 11:1-32; Ezekiel 37
XIV. Evangelism and Missions
We believe the Scriptures teach it is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord
Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the
birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and
is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching
of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal
witness under girded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-
20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:
13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:
17.
XV. Stewardship
We believe the Scriptures teach that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are
we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding
stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material
possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. We
believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his
local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian
should also give other offerings sacrificially to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of
the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has
been made. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically,
proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29;
Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20;
12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19;1 Peter 1:18-19.
XVI. Cooperation
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and
conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no
authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine,
and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should
cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension
of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for
common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian
denominations, when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His
Word as revealed in the New Testament, or the integrity of our statement of faith and our local church.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the believer should be separated from apostasy as exemplified in ecclesiastical
organizations which include radicals, liberals and those who sanction theological compromise. This doctrine is based
upon God’s eternal principle of division between truth and error. This truth is to be practiced with an attitude of devotion
to God, humility, compassion, and yet with conviction, to create the proper condition and atmosphere for the main
objective, i.e. the salvation of the lost through the gospel of God.
Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-
10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2
Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.
XVII. The Personality of Satan
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a personal devil, a created angel who through pride became the enemy of
his creator, who is “the god of this age” and “the prince of the power of the air,” the author of sin and the tempter in the
Fall of Man who is full of all subtlety, who seeks continually to frustrate the purposes of God and to ensnare the sons of
men, and who was conquered by Christ on the cross and condemned to everlasting punishment in the Lake of Fire.
Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10.
XVIII. Angels
We believe the Scriptures teach the personal existence of angels who were created by God to bring honor and glory to
His name, to serve Him and act as ministering spirits to the saints. Those angels who kept their first estate minister for
them who are the heirs of salvation. Among the angel hosts there were those who fell with Satan, the angels who kept
not their first estate, who are presently functioning in Satan’s counterfeit system as rulers of darkness, to be resisted by
the believer through the armor provided by God.
Isaiah 6; Matthew 17:18; Ephesians 6:11, 12; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:1,2; Hebrews 1:4,14; 1 Peter 1:12; Jude 6
XIX. Creation
We believe the Scriptural account of Genesis teaches that creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical
account of the direct, immediate creative acts of the Trinity without any evolutionary process. We believe that God
created the universe in six literal, twenty-four hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory,
and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11.
XX. The Christian and Social Order
We believe the Scriptures teach that all Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our
own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of
righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the
individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form
of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and
pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick.
We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of
righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men
of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ
and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13-
16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–
14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1
Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.
XXI. Civil Government and Religious Liberty
We believe the Scriptures teach that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1)
the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities
themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical
responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe
upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned
spheres of responsibility under God. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection
and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination
should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to
render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the
civil power to carry on its work. It is therefore the duty of the state to carry out such actions as capital punishment,
taxation and protection of its citizens, etc., as deemed necessary by its constitution which is ultimately to be under biblical
authority. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to
impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of
religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to
God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by
the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13;
Ephesians 5:22-24; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 13:17; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
XXII. Lawsuits between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve
personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between
members. (See Statement of Conflict Resolution-Policy and Procedures) We do believe, however, that a Christian may
seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without
malice or slander.
I Corinthians 6:1-6; Ephesians 4:31-32
XXIII. Peace and War
We believe the Scriptures teach that it is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness.
In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The true
remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in
all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world
should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9, 38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36, 38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:
1-2.
XXIV. The Family and Human Sexuality
We believe the Scriptures teach that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is
composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a
lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the
woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical
standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate
sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of
homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of
God’s gift of sex.
We believe that mixed marriages of believer and unbeliever are forbidden in scripture.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in
God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ
loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit
herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of
Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to
respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. We
believe that marriage is a sacred relationship and honorable for all. “What God hath joined together let no man put
asunder.” Marriage is used as an emblem of the union of Christ and His Church.
We believe the scripture teach that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the
spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except when (1) a mate enters into an illegitimate
covenant by committing sexual immorality with another person (2) a Christian is abandoned by a non-Christian or (3) a
Christian is living in the realm of spiritual death (proven cases of abuse and or neglect) and it has been officially
recognized by the church. Scripture never commends divorce, but allows it; thus, the preferred course of action is
reconciliation of the covenant marriage relationship. The office of pastor (elder) and deacon are reserved for those who
have not violated the divorce/remarriage principle of scripture.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the
Lord. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion
constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. Parents are to demonstrate to
their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them
to make choices based on biblical truth; through a consistent lifestyle example and loving/biblical corporal and non-
corporal discipline. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:
1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:
15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:
18-32, 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21;
1 Timothy 3:12,5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 1:6,2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
XXV. Authority of the Statement of Faith
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we
believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible
and, therefore, is the standard by which all members should live.
Colossians 1:10
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The
Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six
books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be
interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historic meaning. Scripture is a perfect treasure of divine instruction.
It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore all
Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will
remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,
creeds and religious opinions should be tried. All scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine
revelation.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah
15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans
15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
II. The Godhead (God)
We believe the Scriptures teach there is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual and
personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other
perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and
future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
God is triune, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-each co-eternal in being, co-identical in
nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
Matthew 28:19; John 14:26, 15:26; II Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2; I John 5:7.
A. God the Father
We believe the Scriptures teach that God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and
the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is omnipotent, omniscient,
omnipresent, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus
Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm
19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13;
17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17;
Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17.
B. God the Son
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be
God (His deity), having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God
and redeem sinful man. Jesus took upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identified Himself
completely with mankind, yet without sin.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross
as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the
person who was with them before His crucifixion.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of
God where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor and Advocate. He will return in
power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27;
28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-
16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1
Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10;
Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-
3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9;
Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of
judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ,
indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will
bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in
worship, evangelism and service.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit inspired holy men of old to write scriptures and through illumination
assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit cultivates Christian character and
comforts believers.
We believe the Scriptures teach that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer by
which he serves God through His church. We believe the Bible limits the authenticity of the sign gifts such as speaking in
tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles and healing to the early church and that the “experience-oriented” theology
of many in the Charismatic movement is false teaching. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign
of baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. This does not limit the sovereignty of God or His ability to perform miracles as He so
chooses. God can choose to heal physically through the prayers of the believers, and do as He so pleases in anything
for His glory. We believe in the anointing with oil and praying for the sick as so directed in scripture also knowing that
ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32;
Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-
17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-
11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians
5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; James 5:14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7;
Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
III. Man (Mankind)
We believe the Scriptures teach that man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. God created them male
and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation.
Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God; by his free choice; and fell from his original
innocence whereby man inherits a sinful nature, and is alienated from God and under condemnation. Man is totally
depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy
fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purposes of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that
God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full
dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:
26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29;
1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
IV. Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who
accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its
broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart
from personal faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become
new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the
sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable
experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and
commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
We believe the Scriptures teach that justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness
of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor
with God.
We believe the Scriptures teach that sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is
set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
We believe the Scriptures teach that glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state
of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-
14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18;
2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2
Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13;
Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-
12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
V. God’s Purpose of Grace and the Security of the Believer
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates,
justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in
connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, which is infinitely wise, holy, and
unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
We believe the Scriptures teach that once saved, all the redeemed are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in
Christ forever. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His
Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through
neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the
cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the
testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:
22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:
6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 3:15; 15:24-28;
Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Titus 2:11-15;
Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
VI. The Church
We believe the Scriptures teach that a New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local
congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two
ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and
seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any
external authority or control. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes.
We believe in single (multiple when dictated by growth), pastor (elder) congregationalism view of church polity. Even
when growth dictates the need for multiple pastors (elders) the senior pastor remains the decisive spiritual leader of the
body. It is important to note that within the New Testament model of church organization, authority for leadership is not
granted to just one individual minister, nor is it given as democratic rule by the congregation. Instead, the Scripture
states that authority for leadership is conducted by godly leaders who are appointed by the Church and accountable to
God. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are
pastors (elders) and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder
and deacon is limited to men as qualified by Scripture in the epistles to Timothy and Titus. This does not eliminate the
role of the deaconess (a deacon’s wife and or duly appointed, biblically qualified women) who serves in a helps ministry
role that does not violate the biblical principle of I Timothy 2:9-14.
We believe this definition of the local church leads to these Scriptural distinctives:
(1) Sole authority of the Scriptures for faith and practice; (2) Autonomy of the local church; (3) Believers’ baptism by
immersion before church membership; (4) Two offices, pastor (elder, bishop) and deacon; (5) Two symbolic ordinances,
baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion); (6) Individual priesthood of the believer and soul liberty; (7) Separation of
church and state. (Meaning the church is free to operate without government intervention, however it does not mean that
the church may not have a spiritual impact, directly or indirectly, on the state)
We believe the Scriptures teach also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the
ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1
Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1;
Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen
Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ
Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the
privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
We believe the Scriptures teach that The Lord's Supper (Communion) is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members
of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and
anticipate His second coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-
39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
VIII. The Lord’s Day
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It commemorates the resurrection of
Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. It is a
Christian institution for regular observance by giving of our time and resources to further our evangelistic outreach.
Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:
7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
IX. Separation
We believe the Scriptures teach that every believer should be separated unto God from the world, and by the aid of the
Holy Spirit, should walk in Christian love and holiness, exhibiting qualities of honesty, integrity, forgiveness and loving-
kindness. We further believe that any achievement in these characteristics will be evidenced by sincere humility and
genuine zeal for the advancement of the cause of Christ. We also believe the Scriptures admonish every believer not to
love the world or the things in the world, but rather to flee evil desires, avoid every kind of evil and refrain from
questionable practices and immodest appearances which destroy one’s testimony, offend one’s brother and fail to glorify
God.
Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Corinthians. 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; 1Corinthians 6:19-20.
X. The Kingdom
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and
His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation
into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the
Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus
Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15;
9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1
Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-
22.
XI. Dispensations
We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules
of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather
are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Seven of these dispensations—
Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law/Israel, Grace/Church, and the Kingdom—are the subjects of
revelation in Scripture. These dispensations do not negate God’s covenants from both the Old and New Testaments,
but are intertwined with great harmony.
Genesis 1:28-3:6; Genesis 3:7-8:14; Genesis 8:15-11:9; Genesis 11:10-Exodus 18:27; Exodus 19-John 14:30; Acts 2:1;
Revelation 19:21; Revelation 20:1-15
XII. Last Things
We believe the Scriptures teach the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture His church prior to the seven-
year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish
His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel.
We believe the Scriptures teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment
and everlasting punishment.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the
Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified
forever with the Lord.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment
until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment,
and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and
torment.
Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:
64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1
Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18;
5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.;
1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
XIII. Israel
We believe the Scriptures teach in the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people, that she is now
dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after
the completion of the Church, she will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ.
Genesis 13:14-17; Romans 11:1-32; Ezekiel 37
XIV. Evangelism and Missions
We believe the Scriptures teach it is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord
Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the
birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and
is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching
of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal
witness under girded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-
20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:
13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:
17.
XV. Stewardship
We believe the Scriptures teach that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are
we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding
stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material
possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. We
believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his
local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian
should also give other offerings sacrificially to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of
the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has
been made. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically,
proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29;
Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20;
12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19;1 Peter 1:18-19.
XVI. Cooperation
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and
conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no
authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine,
and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should
cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension
of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for
common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian
denominations, when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His
Word as revealed in the New Testament, or the integrity of our statement of faith and our local church.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the believer should be separated from apostasy as exemplified in ecclesiastical
organizations which include radicals, liberals and those who sanction theological compromise. This doctrine is based
upon God’s eternal principle of division between truth and error. This truth is to be practiced with an attitude of devotion
to God, humility, compassion, and yet with conviction, to create the proper condition and atmosphere for the main
objective, i.e. the salvation of the lost through the gospel of God.
Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-
10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2
Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.
XVII. The Personality of Satan
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a personal devil, a created angel who through pride became the enemy of
his creator, who is “the god of this age” and “the prince of the power of the air,” the author of sin and the tempter in the
Fall of Man who is full of all subtlety, who seeks continually to frustrate the purposes of God and to ensnare the sons of
men, and who was conquered by Christ on the cross and condemned to everlasting punishment in the Lake of Fire.
Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10.
XVIII. Angels
We believe the Scriptures teach the personal existence of angels who were created by God to bring honor and glory to
His name, to serve Him and act as ministering spirits to the saints. Those angels who kept their first estate minister for
them who are the heirs of salvation. Among the angel hosts there were those who fell with Satan, the angels who kept
not their first estate, who are presently functioning in Satan’s counterfeit system as rulers of darkness, to be resisted by
the believer through the armor provided by God.
Isaiah 6; Matthew 17:18; Ephesians 6:11, 12; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:1,2; Hebrews 1:4,14; 1 Peter 1:12; Jude 6
XIX. Creation
We believe the Scriptural account of Genesis teaches that creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical
account of the direct, immediate creative acts of the Trinity without any evolutionary process. We believe that God
created the universe in six literal, twenty-four hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory,
and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11.
XX. The Christian and Social Order
We believe the Scriptures teach that all Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our
own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of
righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the
individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form
of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and
pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick.
We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of
righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men
of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ
and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13-
16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–
14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1
Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.
XXI. Civil Government and Religious Liberty
We believe the Scriptures teach that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1)
the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities
themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical
responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe
upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned
spheres of responsibility under God. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection
and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination
should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to
render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the
civil power to carry on its work. It is therefore the duty of the state to carry out such actions as capital punishment,
taxation and protection of its citizens, etc., as deemed necessary by its constitution which is ultimately to be under biblical
authority. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to
impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of
religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to
God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by
the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13;
Ephesians 5:22-24; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 13:17; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
XXII. Lawsuits between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve
personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between
members. (See Statement of Conflict Resolution-Policy and Procedures) We do believe, however, that a Christian may
seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without
malice or slander.
I Corinthians 6:1-6; Ephesians 4:31-32
XXIII. Peace and War
We believe the Scriptures teach that it is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness.
In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The true
remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in
all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world
should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9, 38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36, 38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:
1-2.
XXIV. The Family and Human Sexuality
We believe the Scriptures teach that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is
composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a
lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the
woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical
standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate
sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of
homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of
God’s gift of sex.
We believe that mixed marriages of believer and unbeliever are forbidden in scripture.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in
God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ
loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit
herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of
Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to
respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. We
believe that marriage is a sacred relationship and honorable for all. “What God hath joined together let no man put
asunder.” Marriage is used as an emblem of the union of Christ and His Church.
We believe the scripture teach that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the
spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except when (1) a mate enters into an illegitimate
covenant by committing sexual immorality with another person (2) a Christian is abandoned by a non-Christian or (3) a
Christian is living in the realm of spiritual death (proven cases of abuse and or neglect) and it has been officially
recognized by the church. Scripture never commends divorce, but allows it; thus, the preferred course of action is
reconciliation of the covenant marriage relationship. The office of pastor (elder) and deacon are reserved for those who
have not violated the divorce/remarriage principle of scripture.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the
Lord. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion
constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. Parents are to demonstrate to
their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them
to make choices based on biblical truth; through a consistent lifestyle example and loving/biblical corporal and non-
corporal discipline. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:
1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:
15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:
18-32, 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21;
1 Timothy 3:12,5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 1:6,2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
XXV. Authority of the Statement of Faith
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we
believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible
and, therefore, is the standard by which all members should live.
Colossians 1:10
| Statement Of Faith |
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Ebenezer Baptist Church
| A Place Of Hope to Call Home |
