I believe that the entire Bible, all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God and are inerrant in the original writings. Through the providence of God, the Word of God has been protected and preserve d, and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
I believe that there is only one true, living sovereign, holy and eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each being a distinct person and with a distinct function, but all of one essence and all possessing the same nature, perfection, and attributes.
I believe that Jesus Christ is God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, shed His blood on the cross as a vicarious substitute, was buried, bodily resurrected, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return literally, visibly, and personally in glory and power (John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Acts 1:11).
I believe that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-existent with the Father and the Son. He is the chief convictor of sin, the chief agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and empowers every believer to live a godly life (John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5).
I believe that in the beginning God created mankind in His image. Mankind was originally created with the ability to live perfectly for God’s glory (Genesis 1:27, 31).
I believe that Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind; therefore all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Mankind’s fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23).
I believe the salvation of lost and sinful mankind is a free gift of God’s grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ’s vicarious and atoning death, effected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 2:5-9). Faith that saves is a faith that persists to the end of a person’s earthly life. When a person is saved, he becomes a child of God, which is a permanent relationship that he can never lose (Romans 8:30). If your faith fizzles before the finish, there was a fault in it from the first.
I believe that the church is the body of Christ and the family of God. It is made up of saved and baptized believers, who regularly join together on the Lord’s Day for worship, fellowship, and ministry (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Hebrews 10:25).
I believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
In addition to these important beliefs, I also believe that God has given the parents and the home the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6).
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.
And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
We do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body of Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the achievement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort.
To promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.
To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We shall abstain from sex outside of the covenant of marriage of one man and one woman, ad to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deployment.
To avoid tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger.
To abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love.
To remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech.
To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible,
unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.