SECTION 1. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
A. 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 Godbreathed and, therefore the final authority for faith and life. They shall remain to the end of time the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the truth center of Christian union; and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament from Genesis to Revelation are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. As originally written, the Scriptures not only contain and convey the Word of God, but are the very Word of God.
B. The Authorized King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used in the English language ministries of MBC. For foreign languages, versions faithfully translated from the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew language and the Textus Receptus text of the Greek language shall be used where available. These texts, considered to be authoritative by first century churches, were used to translate the English Bible we hold so dear.
Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89,105,130,160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27,44-45; John 5:39,45-47; 12:49; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1Peter 1:2-3; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19
SECTION 2. THE GODHEAD
We believe that there is one living, triune, true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. That in the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Each is co-eternal in being; co-identical in nature; co-equal in power and glory. Each has the same attributes and perfections executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Genesis 17:1; Exodus 15:11; 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 2:7; 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:20; John 1:1; 4:24; 5:36-37; 6:27; 10:30; 14:10,16-17,26; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 9:5; 11:33; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5; I Timothy 1:17; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11.
A. THE PERSON AND WORK OF GOD THE FATHER.
1. We believe that God the Father acts with a paternal kindness. He has the title of Respect, Honor, and Authorized Teacher as God the Father. He is the Begetter and Guardian of His spiritual children. He is Father in His relation to the Godhead.
Genesis 1:1; 45:8; 2 Kings 2:12; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 11:26; 28:19; John 1:12-13,8; 8:16-30; Romans 4:11; 8:15; Galatians 3:26; 4:6; Ephesians 3:14,15.
2. We believe man by creation was constituted for sonship to the Father and bore the divine image and likeness. The introduction of sin severed this relationship which was restored by God. The Father is the Supreme Ruler and Divine Judge. God is the believers’ Father in the real and full sense to those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ Jesus the Son.
John 1:12,13,18; Romans 9:5; Galatians 3:26: Ephesians 3:14,15; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 3:1.
3. From the Personality of God the Father we see His attributes:
immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, sovereign, holy, righteous, just, faithful, gracious, merciful, and loving.
Genesis 2:4; 22:13,14; Exodus 3:14; 15:26; 17:15; Deuteronomy 7:9; Judges 6:24; 1 Kings 8:27; Job 37:16; Psalm 23:1; 90:1,2; 102:27; 103:8; 116: 1,2; 145:17; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 23:6; Ezekiel 48:35; Malachi 3:6; John 17:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; James 1:17; 1 John 3:20; 4:7,8,16; Revelation 4:11.
B. THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST
1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful mankind.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; 2:5-7; John 1:1-2, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:47; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Philippians. 2:5-8; 1 John 5:20.
2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His sinless life and death on the cross as a vicarious sacrifice. He was buried and arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. Our justification is made sure on that Sunday of His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
Acts 2:22-36; Romans 3:21-28; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-9; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24.
3. We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Jesus Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness. It is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but His righteousness is imputed unto us solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood.
Deuteronomy 25:1; Isaiah 5:23; 53:6-11; Zechariah 13:1; Luke 15:22-24; John 3:36; 5:24; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 1:17; 3:19-24; 4:1-9; 21-25; 5:1,2,9; 8:1,30,33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16; 3:10,11,13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:14-17; Colossians 1:20-22; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 2:4; 10:38.
4. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father. As our Great High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate.
Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 4:14; 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2.
C. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST.
1. We believe that the Holy Ghost is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature. He was active in the creation. In His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled.
Genesis 1:26-27; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Matthew 12:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-8; 1 John 5:7.
2. We believe that the Holy Ghost bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony. He is the agent of the New Birth in that he seals, guides, induces, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
Nehemiah 9:20; Isaiah 30:21; Ezekiel 36:27; Luke 11:13; John 3:5-6; 6:63; 14:7-26; 16:8-15; Acts 2:37; 5:9; 9:17,31; Romans 8:2,9,14,16; 15:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; 6:11-19; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:3; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 2:20,27; 3:24; 4:4,14.
3. We believe that the Holy Ghost is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, indwelling, and sealing believers unto the day of redemption.
John 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14.
4. We believe that the Holy Ghost is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18-21; 1 John 2:20, 27.
5. We believe that the Holy Ghost is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. The Holy Ghost uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.
Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12.
6. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Ghost, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Ghost. The ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently heals through the prayers of believers.
Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; 15:47, 49, 53; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; James 5:15-16; Revelation 2:3-4.
SECTION 4. 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. These dispensations are:
1. Innocence as found in creation to the Fall of Man;
2. Conscience as found in the Fall of Man and events leading to the Flood;
3. Human Government as found in the Flood and events leading to the Tower of Babel;
4. The Promise as found in the Tower of Babel and leading to the Exodus;
5. The Law as found in the Exodus and giving of the Ten Commandments leading to the Death of Christ;
6. The Church Age which we are presently in;
7. The Millennial Reign as found after the seven years of tribulation leading to the Great White throne Judgment.
Genesis 1:26-28; 3:5-22; 4:1-4; 6:5-22; 7:1-5; 8:15-19; 11:1-5; 12:1-8; Exodus 19:3-8; 20:1-17; Isaiah 7:10-16; 11:3-5; Daniel 9:20-27; Zechariah 14: 9-16; Matthew 1:18-25; 27:45-56; Luke 24:1-9; Hebrews 11:1-40; Revelation 19:1-11; 20:1-6,11-15.
SECTION 5. THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN.
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker in the image and likeness of God. In Adam’s voluntary sin the human race fell from his sinless and happy estate, inherited a sinful nature, and by choice became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition of just condemnation.
Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-6; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18,20,28,32; 3:10-19, 22-23; 5:12,19; 6:23; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19.
SECTION 6. SALVATION.
A. We believe in God’s electing grace. The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept these blessings by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of even the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1,6,7; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15,16,18,36; 5:24,40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; 13:38,39; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22,29-30; 4:5; 5:12,15,16; 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,10; Ephesians 1:7; 2:4,5,8,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 2:11; 1 Peter 1:2.
B. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatory office of the Son of God. He, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature yet without sin. He honored the Divine law by His personal obedience. By His death, He made a full and vicarious atonement for sin. This consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust. Christ, the Lord, having born our sins in His own body on the tree arose from the dead. He is now enthroned in Heaven, uniting in His wonderful Person the tender sympathies with Divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior. There is no redemptive power in any other.
Isaiah 53:4-7; 11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3,11,20; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; I John 2:2; 4:10.
C. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. The New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus, which is instantaneous and not a process. In the New Birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the Divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. This new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, and not by culture, character, or the will of man. It is wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with Divine truth, securing our voluntary obedience to the Gospel.
Ezekiel 11:19; Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3-21,67; Acts 2:41; 16:30-33; Romans 6:4,23; 7:6; 8:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians 5:22; 6:15; Ephesians 2:1,5,8,10; 4:7,8,16,21-24; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 4:1-12; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 2:27-29; 3:9,14; 4:7; 5:1-18.
D. We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God. Thereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. At the same time, we heartily believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confess Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Psalm 5:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:8-13.
SECTION 7. THE ETERNAL STATE AND ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS.
A. We believe that Christ forever secures the salvation of sinners, who have come to Him for redemption. They are eternally kept by God’s power.
John 6:37-40; 10:26-30; Romans 3:24-26; 8:1,16, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:4-5; 1 John 5:11-13.
B. 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 clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
Romans 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; 1 Peter 2:16.
SECTION 8. THE CHURCH.
A. We believe that a church is a local assembly of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel. A Church observes the ordinances of Jesus Christ and is governed by His laws. We exercise the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in us by the Word of God.
Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:41-47; 6:2-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 10:25; 1 John 1:3.
B. We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons.
Matthew 16:13-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-32; Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 1:19-20.
C. We believe that the church’s officers of ordination are pastors. Their qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.
I Tim. 3:1-7, 8-13; Titus 1:6-9.
D. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission. This teaches that first, we are to teach (disciple) all nations; second, to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and third, to teach to observe the commands of Jesus Christ. We do not believe in the reversal of this order.
Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:7-10.
E. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government. It is free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations.
F. We believe that the one and only Head of the Church is Jesus Christ with the superintendence of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 21:42; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19; 1 Peter 2:7.
G. We believe that churches of like faith and order are to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel. Every church has sole judgment on this earth of the measure and method of its cooperation on all matters.
Leviticus 32:1; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:3,22-23; 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 5:11-13; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3-4.
H. We believe that baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is done with the authority of the local church to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith. It illustrates the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It also shows the effect the Gospel has in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is therefore a pre-requisite to the privilege of church membership.
Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48.
I. We believe that members of the church have the privilege and duty to partake of the Lord’s Supper. They do commemorate together the death and love of Christ by their participation. The sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are the church’s prescribed elements. This supper is always preceded by a solemn self-examination.
Matthew 3:6, 16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 1:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12.
SECTION 9. SEPARATION.
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations. They are to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings.
Leviticus 19:28; Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; I Timothy 2:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11.
SECTION 10. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His saints prior to the seven-year tribulation period as revealed to the prophet Daniel. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom of one-thousand years as promised to the nation of Israel.
Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; 9:20-27; Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 24:27-31; Luke 21:25-28; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-21; 20:1-6.
SECTION 11. THE ETERNAL STATE.
A. We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous, the believer or saved; and the wicked, the unbeliever or lost. God will bodily resurrect all men; the saved to eternal life, and the lost to judgment and everlasting punishment.
Genesis 18:23-33; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:31-34,41; Luke 1:26; 16:25; John 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:17-20; 7:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Galatians 3:10-15; 1 Peter 4:17-19: 1 John 2:29; 3:7-10; 5:18-20.
B. We believe in the perseverance of the saints as true believers who endure unto the end. God’s providence watches over their welfare and keeps them through faith unto eternal salvation. Their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors.
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:30: 13:19-23; John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; Romans 8:23,35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21,23; Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19.
C. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord. In conscious bliss, they await the first resurrection when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.
Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6.
D. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection. Their soul and body reunite and shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment. They shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment separated from God.
Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15.
SECTION 12. THE DEVIL OR SATAN.
We believe that Satan was once a holy angel and enjoyed heavenly honors. Through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels. We believe that he is now the malignant Prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be:
A. Man’s great tempter;
B. The enemy of God and His Christ;
C. The accuser of the saints;
D. The author of false religions;
E. The chief power of the present apostasy;
F. The lord of the anti-Christ;
G. The author of all powers of darkness.
He is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14; Zechariah 1:3; Matthew 4:1-11; 13:25; 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3;2 John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 16:20; 19:11; 20:1-3; 20:10.
SECTION 13. CREATION.
We believe in the Biblical creation model. It is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively. This model states:
A. In the presence of the Godhead, the Son of God supernaturally spoke into existence all things in six solar days.
B. All elements in the universe exist by design, have specific purpose, and are interdependent with specific information encoded within them.
C. Each category of life appeared abruptly without descending from an ancestor of a different sort. Variation within a category is expected, but each possesses genetic limits to its variability, thus exhibiting stasis.
D. Man was created in God’s image and after His likeness. As God is triune, so is man composed of body, soul, and spirit.
E. All other models are rejected such as: evolution; the gap theory; the day-age theory; And theistic evolution.
F. God’s established law is that each category of life brings forth only “after their kind.”
Genesis 1:1,11,24-27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6; 104:30; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6.
SECTION 14. CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: the home; the church; and 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 sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 23:10; Acts 4:13-22; 5:17-29; 23:5; Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14,17.
SECTION 15. HUMAN SEXUALITY.
A. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
Genesis 2:21-24; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:2,10; Ephesians. 5:22-25: Colossians 3:18-19.
B. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate relations or sexual activities occur outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, pornography, or anything which changes the natural use of God’s gift of sex, are sinful perversions.
Genesis 2:24; 19:1-13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4.
C. We believe that God forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
Deuteronomy 22:5; Matthew 19:4; I Corinthians 3:16-17; I Corinthians 6:19; II Corinthians 6:16
SECTION 16. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
A. 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 qualified leaders such as pastors and deacons of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure by the pastor and ordination by the church.
John 10:14-18; Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 3:16-21; Ephesians 5:20-33; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:2-5,12; Titus 1:6.
B. 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 a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values. Parents train them through a consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline such as 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; I Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7.
SECTION 17. DIVORCE.
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses die. Although 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.
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-17,25-40.
SECTION 18. ABORTION.
We believe that human life begins at conception, and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the taking of unborn human life and is therefore murder. It is unjustifiable and inexcusable. We reject any teaching or practice 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 7:14; 44:24; 49:1, 5; Hosea 9:11; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:36, 44.
SECTION 19. LAWSUITS BETWEEN BRETHREN.
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or against 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 from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
Proverbs 25:8-10; 1 Kings 3:16-28; Matthew 5:25-26; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32.
SECTION 20. MISSIONS.
We believe that God gave authority to the church to fulfill the great commission by proclaiming the Gospel to all nations 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 nations and not wait for them to come to us.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:20.
SECTION 21. GIVING.
We believe that every Christian is a steward of the portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, and therefore is commanded to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving. Every Christian should also give other free-will offerings sacrificially and cheerfully 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 his or her tithe or offering once the gift has been made.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 8:7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Hebrews 7:2,4; 1 John 3:17.
SECTION 22. AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH.
The 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 binding upon all members. All teachings in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.
Last Updated 6-5-2019