STATEMENT OF FAITH

Although not exhaustively exclusive or inclusive, the following does comprise the Scriptural beliefs and foundation of this church and may or may not be an example for its members as a whole.

(A)   The Bible -

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, God-breathed; therefore, they are the sole and final authority for faith, life and the conduct of this church. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments from Genesis to Revelation are the complete and divine   revelation of God to mankind. We believe that God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, not only inspired every word, but that He has, and will continue to preserve them through the ages. We believe that the 1611 Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible is the preserved Word of God for English-speaking people and as such, is the only acceptable Bible translation to be used on and off church property for all church sponsored services, ministries, and activities. (Psalm 12:6-7; 2Timothy 3:15-17; 1Peter 1:23-25; 2Peter 1:19-21)

(B)   God –

We believe in one God; who is eternal, self-existent, infinite, and immutable. We believe He has one nature, one essence, and one substance; yet manifests Himself to mankind in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1Timothy 1:17; James 1:17; 1 John 5:7)

(C)   Jesus Christ –

 We believe Jesus Christ to be the one and only Saviour of all mankind. We believe Jesus Christ to be eternally God and to possess all the attributes of Deity. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was virgin-born as a man, that He was God incarnate, and that the purposes of His incarnation as a man were to obey God the Father, reveal God to mankind, to redeem men from the bondage of sin, and to rule over God's kingdom. We believe Jesus Christ never relinquished any attributes of His Deity, but merely veiled them. We believe that as a man, Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, at the end of which in obedience to the Father, He was offered for all mankind as the only perfect substitutionary sacrifice to pay the penalty of all mankind’s sin. This sacrifice was a just payment to God to affect divine forgiveness for all mankind’s sin. lt was activated by His death through the shedding of His blood on the cross and was accepted by God upon His resurrection. We believe He ascended into Heaven after His resurrection where He has been and is now currently seated at the right hand of the Father. We believe that Jesus is waiting now for the time of receiving His church at the rapture, which will be followed by His return seven years later to earth to rule and reign as King for 1,000 years. (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 43:10-11; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 1:3, 1:14. 1:18, 1:29; Romans 3:19-25, 5:6-15; Philippians 2:5-11; 1Thessa|onians 4:13-18; 1Timothy 2:5, 3:16; Titus 2:10-15; Hebrews 7:26, 9:24-28; 1Peter 1:18-19; 1John 1:3; Revelation 20:1-6)

(D)   The Holy Spirit –

We believe the Holy Spirit to be a person with personality and all the attributes of Deity. We believe the Holy Spirit has always been involved in the affairs of mankind; however, we believe He has a special ministry that began at Pentecost and will continue until the rapture. This ministry includes reproving the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand, retain, and recall the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer for the work of Christ’s ministry. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift if healing, were only temporary. We further believe that the Holy Spirit was sent to regenerate, sanctify, seal, indwell, and fill all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:2; John 3:5-6, 14:16; Acts 1:5, 11:15; Romans 12:3-8; 1Corinthians 1:22, 3:16, 6:19-20, 12:4-13, 28, 13:8-10, 14:21-22; Ephesians 1:17-18, 4:7-12, 5:18; 1John 2:20, 27)

(E)    Dispensationalism -

 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 mankind according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations: the law, the church, and the kingdom - are the subject of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Genesis 1:28; 1Corinthians 9:17; 2Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10, 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Revelation 20:2-6)

(F)    The Total Depravity of Sinful Man and Salvation –

We believe that all mankind has been born with an inherited sin nature received from our common ancestor, Adam. We believe that because of his sinful nature, mankind sins by choice and is totally incapable of reforming himself or ceasing from his sin by his own power. We believe the only hope of deliverance for mankind is his personal and individual acknowledgement of his sinful condition, the acceptance of his inability to change it, and a complete turning from sin unto Jesus Christ as the only available Saviour. We believe that only through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross can mankind be delivered from his sin. We believe that salvation is a gift from God, offered to mankind by divine grace, received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that all those who reject the divine gift of Jesus Christ as their one and only Saviour are already condemned to an eternity in the lake of ?re. (Genesis 5:1-5;John 3:18; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:10-23, 5:6-15, 6:23, 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:7, 2:1-5, 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6; Revelation 20:11-14)

(G)  The Eternal Security of Believers -

 We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. 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. (John 6:37:-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 8:38-39, 13:13-14; 1Corinthians 1:4-8; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; 1Peter 1:4-5; 1John 5:11-13)

(H)   The New Testament Church –

We believe that the local church is the body and espoused bride of Christ. We believe it began with the calling out of the twelve apostles by Jesus Christ and was empowered on the day of Pentecost. We believe the local church is composed of members who have been saved and scripturally baptized according the command of Christ, and have voluntarily united together for the purposes of worship, fellowship, service, and observance of the ordinances of baptism and communion. We believe in the complete autonomy of the local church, free from any external control or authority. We believe that all true believers will be taken up at the rapture, just prior to the tribulation. (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 1:15, 2:41-43, 11:15, 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1Corinthians 3:9, 15:51-58; Ephesians 1:12-14, 5:25-30; 1Thessaonians 4:13-18; 1Timothy 3:14-15, 1Peter 5:1-4)

(I)     Separation –

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach, dishonor, or shame upon their Saviour and Lord. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations; and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings. (Leviticus 19:28; Romans 12:1-2, 14:13; 1Corinthians 6:19-20; 2Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2Timothy3:1-5; 1John 2:15-17; 2John 9-11)

(J)     Creation –

We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the gap theory, the day-age theory, theistic evolution, and intelligent design not attributed to God as unscriptural theories of origin. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:1 1)

(K)   Civil Government –

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions:

(a)    the home,

(b)    the church

(c)     the state or human government.

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 these 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. (Romans 13:1‘-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; 1Peter 2:13-14)

(L)    The Last Days –

We believe in the literal interpretation of the Scriptures in their grammatical and historical context. We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church saints, followed by the seven-year tribulation. We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth and His literal rule of one thousand years. Following this one-thousand year reign is the Great White Throne judgment and then the new heaven and new earth. (1Corinthians 15:51-58; 1Thessa|onians 4:13-18, 5:1-9; Revelation 19-22)

(M) The Eternal State –

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all mankind, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. We believe 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 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. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26, 23:43; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; 2Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2Theessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:4-6, 20:1 1-1 5)

(N)  Satan –

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the instigator for the cause of the Fall of Man, that he is the open and declared enemy of God and mankind, and that he will eventually be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; Revelation20:10)

(O)  Human Sexuality -

1)      We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity beengaged in outside of 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 God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 19:13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-32; 1Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

2)      We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)

3)      ln keeping with our beliefs regarding human sexuality as expressed in this statement of faith and in keeping with our purpose as expressed above, we have instituted the following practical policies:

                                                               i.       All people are welcome to attend our regular worship services.

                                                             ii.       Those who attend may not display behavior that is indicative of the sinful behaviors detailed in (O) (1) of this section in church services, at church functions, and on church property.

                                                            iii.       Church representatives are not to display overt disrespect for those who are involved in the sinful behaviors detailed in (0) (1) of this section.

                                                           iv.       The pastor of the church will preach consistently against all forms of sinful behaviors to include, but not limited to, those listed in (O) (1) of this section. 

 

(P)   Family Relationships -

1)      We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors, deacons, and trustees) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for church licensure and ordination. (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15, 3:1-12)

2)      We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational  institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1Peter 3:1-7)

(Q)  Divorce, and Remarriage –

We believe that God disapproves of divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon or those administrative positions within the church that would consist of pastoral duties. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6-7)

(R)   Abortion –

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. We reject any teaching or promotion that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1, 49:5;Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

(S)    Love –

We believe that we should demonstrate love for God first and then toward others. The love for other people should not only be demonstrated toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 6:31;John I3;34-35; Romans 12:9-10, 12:17-21, 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1John 3:17-18)

(T)    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. 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. (1Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32) 

(U)  Giving –

We believe that all Christians, in demonstration of genuine love and worship of God and as stewards of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to them, are obligated to support their 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 and cheerfully in the support of church property, operations and activities, its pastor, to the relief of those in need, and to facilitate the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to personally and individually direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:34-37; 1Corinthians 16:2; 2Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6 Ephesians 4:28; 1Timothy 5:17-18; 1John 3:17)

(V)   Missions –

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and peoples so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to all foreign nations and to all spiritually ignorant people and not wait for them to come to us. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21 ; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20)

Comming Events

July 23rd Seniors Lunch 

August 1st Monthly Meal

See details here: Events  

  Service Times

Sunday  
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Main Service 11:00 AM
Evening 5:00 PM
Wednesday  
Evening 7:00 PM

"Church the way it used to be"
"Bringing Old Fashioned Revival Singing and Preaching to Abilene"