Doctrine

We are a “Reformed Church” inasmuch as we embrace, as biblical, that system of theology known as the Doctrines of Grace. By this expression we mean in particular the doctrines of total depravity, unconditional election, definite atonement, effectual calling, and the perseverance of the saints. We rejoice in those glorious truths which uphold the sovereignty of God in the salvation of men, and which so gloriously affirm the great central reality that salvation is all of grace, and of the Lord!

We are “Covenantal”, in that we believe the scriptures teach us that God the Father covenanted with God the Son, before time began, to save a people from the lost human race, to the glory of his marvelous grace. (John 17:1-2, 6, 9-10; Ephesians 1:4-6) God the Holy Spirit infallibly brings this purpose of God to pass, in time. (John 6:37, 44-45; Hebrews 8:6-12)

We are “Creedal”, holding to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith as a summary of the essential truths the Scriptures teach. Those who deride our creed and say they have no creed but the Bible, are truly afraid to put into print what they believe the Bible (their creed) teaches, and be held accountable.

We are a “Baptist Church”, confessing that baptism is for believers only, and that it is properly and biblically administered by immersion. Under the New Covenant ‘they shall all be taught of God’ and have a love for God – the great lawgiver. (John 6:45; Hebrews 8:10-11) All under the New Covenant are conscious of the new heart, of love for Christ, that has been given them, and it is their duty to proclaim it publicly in baptism.

We Commit Ourselves to the following principles and practices

The Centrality of the Gospel– All activities and messages of the church have their source in the gospel of Christ, that sinners are justified by faith alone, that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers by God’s decree alone, and that this righteousness is the only righteousness that justifies and that faith that is true faith is evidenced by works. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Revelation 14:6-7)

Expository Preaching – We believe that a steady diet of expositional preaching is the most effective way to build up the body of Christ. Preaching and teaching through books of the Bible will be the primary emphasis of this ministry (Deut 6:4-9; Ezra 7:10; Neh 8:1-12; Matt 4:4; 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 3:14-4:5; Titus 1:3, 9; Heb 4:12; 1 Peter 1:22-2:3).

Prayer – Every aspect of the church’s life and ministry ought to be under girded with regular, fervent prayer. Elements of a godly prayer life (individually and corporately) include: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession (Neh 1; Psalm 51; Matt 6:5-15; Luke 19:46; Phil 1:3-11; Col 1:3-12; James 5:13-18).

Authentic Worship– Authentic worship of the living God is marked by biblical truth, personal and corporate genuineness and spiritual depth. Elements of worship include prayer, singing, Scripture reading and preaching and the Lord’s table (Psalm 24, 33, 42, 95; Isa 6:1-8; Matt 4:10; John 4:24; Rom 12:1-2; Heb 13:15; Rev 4-5; 1 Cor 11:23-34).

Loving Community – We will cultivate Christian love, rejoicing, unity and community in the family of God through mentoring relationships, benevolence and biblical instruction (Acts 2:44-47; 6:1-7; Eph 4:1-16; 1 Tim 5:3-8; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 2:3-5; James 1:27).

Church Discipline – We will exercise biblical church discipline administered in a spirit of obedience and humility and believe that this practice protects the purity of the church and offers restoration to the wayward (Prov 28:13; Matt 5:23-24; 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6-8; 11:17-34; Gal 6:1-5; Eph 5:25-27).

Personal Evangelism – We will equip and send the church into the community to bring the message of the cross to our own households, neighborhoods, workplaces and the world (Matt 28:19-20; John 20:31; Acts 4:12; Rom 10:14-15; 1 Peter 3:15).

The Sufficiency of Scripture – We will regard scripture as sufficient for life and godliness, so it must be consulted for all things. We will use it for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness to speak into the lives of those in the congregation.

The Regulative Principle – We will attempt to regulate church life by scripture alone recognizing that God has instituted in the Scriptures everything He requires for worship in the Church and that everything else is prohibited. Therefore, the only permissible elements of worship are those that are instituted by command, precept, or example or by good and necessary consequence and that whatever is not warranted by scripture is forbidden. This is another way of saying that Christ has authority over His church through the Word of God (Matt 16:18; Romans 1:16; 10:17.)