We believe in the unity of all true believers in the universal Church, which is the body of Christ and formed on the Day of Pentecost. All believers, from Pentecost to the Rapture, both Jews and Gentiles, are added to this Church when they believe the Gospel and are spiritually immersed into Christ’s body (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 12:12-13; Ephesians 3:1-6). The universal Church is revealed through local congregations of redeemed, baptized believers who commit to one another in their covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel. The Church observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by His laws, and exercises the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word. The biblically designated offices are elders (also called overseers, shepherds, and pastor-teachers) and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are revealed in the scriptural accounts of the early Church. The true mission of the Church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all as we have opportunity. The local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organization. The one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is scriptural for biblical churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel. Each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. On all matters of membership, polity, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final (Acts 15:13-18; 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 5:1-5).
Ordinances – We believe that biblical baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. That is the only form of baptism revealed and commanded in the Scriptures. Baptism has no saving power, but is an act of obedience for those who are already saved. The Bible affirms that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes and should be preceded by solemn self-examination. The elements themselves represent the body and blood of the Savior in Symbol only. God does not extend His grace to us through the elements of communion.
Baptism – Water baptism is a one-time act of identification; communion is a repeated act of rededication (Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:38 and 41; 8:36-39; 10:47-48; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12).
Separation – We believe believers are to separate entirely from worldliness and ecclesiastical apostasy unto God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Jude 3-4).
Civil Government – We believe that civil government is ordained by God for the interests and good order of human society. Believers are to pray for and conscientiously honor and obey their civil authorities except when ordered to disobey Scripture (Acts 23:5; 4:16-21; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-3 and Titus 3:1).
Israel – We believe that God sovereignly selected Israel as His eternal covenant people. Israel is now dispersed because of disobedience and rejection of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, but will be regathered in Israel during the Tribulation. According to God’s grace and his unconditional and eternal covenant with the Jewish nation. God will prepare their hearts in repentance for the second coming of Christ (Genesis 13:14-17; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Romans 11:1-32).