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 following Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members. We accept the New Hampshire Confession of Faith as stated below with the amendments and additions that follow it:

1. Of The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Jude 3; Acts 3:21; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16-17; John 5:38-39; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17; Revelation 22:18-19; Romans 3:4; 2:11-16; John 12:47-48; Revelation 20:12; Philippians 3:16; 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Acts 17:11; Psalm 119:59-60)

2. Of The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, 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 Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and exercising distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; 83:10; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 10:37; Matthew 28:19, John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; John 10:30; 14:23; 17:5,10; Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Revelation 1:4-5)

3. Of The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin and death, without excuse or defense. (Genesis 1:27,31; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12,15-19; Psalm 51:3, Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20; 3:19)

4. Of The Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who according to the will of the Father, assumed our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for the sins of His people; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. (Ephesians 2:5; Luke 19:10; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:9,14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 42:21; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 3:21; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; 1:3,8; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 7:25-26; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18; Psalm 89:18)

5. Of Justification

We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life, on principles of Christ’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8; Acts 13:39; Romans 8:1; 5:9; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:6; Acts 10:43; Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 2:25; Romans 5:21; 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:23; Philippians 3:7-9; Romans 5:19; 3:24-28; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Room 5:1-3,11; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8)

6. Of the Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of 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; Revelation 22:17; Luke 14:17; Romans 16:26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Romans 9:32; Proverbs 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8)

7. Of Grace in Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind, that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, (in connection with divine truth,) so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life. (John 3:5-6; Acts 16:14; Romans 2:28-29; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9-10; Hebrews 10:16-17; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 6:3,23; 7:24-25; 1 John 3:9,14; Psalm 51; John 8:34-36; Philippians 2:13; Romans 6:18; John 3:8,1-7; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; Romans 8:1-17; 1 John 3:4-18; Titus 3:5)

8. Of Repentance and Faith

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and 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 heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-32; Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Romans 10:12-13; Psalm 51; Romans 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Psalm 2:6; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:12)

9. Of God’s Purpose of Grace

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; it is a most gracious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means to the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves the utmost diligence. (2 Timothy 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Romans 11:5-6; John 15:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; Matthew 20:16; Exodus 33:18-19; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 9:23-24; Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 11:28-36; James 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1:26-31; Romans 3:27; 4:16; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; Ephesians 1:16; Luke 18:7; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Romans 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Peter 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10; Romans 8:28-30; Isaiah 42:16; Romans 11:29; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 6:11)

10. Of Sanctification

We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Sprit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means–especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer. (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 13:9; Ephesians 1:4; Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Philippians 3:12-16; Romans 8:5; John 3:6; Philippians 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18; 4:30)

11. Of the Perseverance of Saints

We believe that such as are truly regenerated, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end; that their preserving attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; 2:19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalm 121:3; 91:11-12; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 4:4)

12. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the Gospel. (Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:19,20; 4:15; 7:12; Galatians 3:21; Psalm 119; Romans 7:12; Joshua 24:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44; Romans 8:2-4; 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 8:10; Jude 20-21; Hebrews 12:14)

13. Of a Gospel Church

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. (Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 18:17; Acts 8:1; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 14:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-20; Matthew 18:15-20; 28:20; John 14:14-15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 2 John 6; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:27; 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22)

14. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation, and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine (unfermented), are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36-39; 16:30-34; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:24-32; 10:16-17; Hebrews 9:25-26,28; 1 Corinthians 11:28)

15. Of the Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Samuel 23:3; Jeremiah 30:21; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matthew 23:10; Revelation 19:16; Psalm 2)

16. Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in this life and after death. (Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:16; 1:17; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Romans 6:18,22; Proverbs 11:31; 1 Peter 4:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; John 3:36; Isaiah 57:21; Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 55:6-7; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Proverbs 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23-26; John 12:25-26; Ecclesiastes 3:17)

17. Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching: that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. (1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:1-13; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-39; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:49; 25:31-33; Revelation 22:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Peter 2:9; Romans 6:22; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:2-16; Revelation 20:11-15)

Additions

18. Of the Virgin Birth

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever or can ever be born of a woman; and that He is the Son of God, and God the Son. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-25; Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4; Mark 1:1; John 1:1-3, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:47; 1 John 5:20)

19. Of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature, and that He was active in creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purposes are fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer; that He is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer, but that the sign gifts, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary, and that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Genesis 1:1-3,26; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-11; 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:26; Romans 8:16,26-27; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; James 5:14,15)

20. Of the Devil, or Satan

We believe that Satan is a finite, angelic being who was once holy, though not independent, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to become like the Most High, he fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince and the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world; that he is man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the brethren, the author of all false religions, the chief power of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrists, and the author of all powers of darkness–destined to final defeat at the hands of the Son of God, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Ezekiel 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 13:25,35-39; Luke 22:3-4; Revelation 12:10; 2 Corinthians 11:13-14; Matthew 13:10; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 7; 1 John 2:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11; Revelation 19:11; 12:7-9; 20:1-3,10; Matthew 25:41)

21. Of Spiritual Adoption

We believe that adoption is a gracious act, by which the Father, for the sake of Christ, accepts believers to the estate and condition of children, by a new and spiritual birth; sending the Spirit of adoption into their hearts whereby they become members of the family of God, and entitled to all the rights, privileges, and promises of children; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, to the inheritance reserved in heaven for them. (Romans 8:14-15; Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 3:6)

22. Of Creation

We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hours 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)

23. Of the Autonomy of the Church and Missions

We believe that the church is autonomous, and as such is free of any interference from any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and has the absolute right of self-government under Christ; that Christ has authorized the local church and not mission boards or evangelistic associations to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth; that it is the responsibility of each church to so take the Gospel to the ends of the earth through local evangelism and world-wide missions; but that it is scriptural for churches to cooperate together through the support of the missionaries sent out of and sponsored by churches of like faith and order. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9,16; 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 1:10-3:22; Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; Acts 13:1-4; Philippians 4:10-16)

24. Of Giving

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; that God has established the tithe (tenth) as a basis for giving but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the Church in her ministry; that a giver relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)

25. Of Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Lord and Savior, and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of 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)

26. Of Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies; that remarriage after divorce is regarded as adultery except when divorce is on grounds of fornication (sexual immorality), under which circumstances the innocent party is not under bondage, and is free to remarry, but only to a believer. (Malachi 2:15-17; Matthew 19:3-12; 5:31-32; Mark 10:2-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16; 2 Corinthians 6:14)

27. Of Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman; that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, premarital sex, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. (Genesis 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

28. Of Lawsuits Between Believers

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against others who are truly Christians or against the church in order to resolve personal disputes; that the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between her members; that, however, a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32)

29. Of Abortion

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being; that abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life, and that as such, abortion is murder; and that any teaching attempting to justify abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother is wrong. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5; 30:15-18; Luke 1:44)