Doctrinal Statement

A.
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of
God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His
will for the salvation of men, and the final authority for all Christian faith
and life. (II Tim 3:16-17)

B.
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally
existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen 1:1; Col 2:9;
Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14)

C.
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of
the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a
sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily
from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on
High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate. (I Cor 15:3-4; I Jn 2:1; Lk 1:35)

D.
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus
Christ, to convict and regenerate the unbeliever, and to indwell, guide,
instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. (Jn 15:26; Jn
16:7-14)

E.
We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is,
therefore, lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation
and spiritual life be obtained (Gen 1:27; Rom 3:23; Jn 3:3)

F.
We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the
only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such
as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children
of God. (Heb 9:22; Rom 5:1; Jn 3:16)

G.
We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism are ordinances to be
observed by the Church during this present age. They are, however, not to be
regarded as means of salvation. (Mt 28:19-20; I Cor 11:23-26)

H.
We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who, through
saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are
united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head. (Eph 4:1-6; I
Cor 12:13)

I.
We believe that only those who are thus members of the true and invisible
church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. (Acts 2:47)

J.
We believe that it is the duty of a Christian to make
other disciples by giving witness in word and in deed to what God has done for
them.  We should seek to spread the
gospel to those in Paxton, the surrounding area, and around the world.  (Acts 1 8; II Cor. 5:19, 20; Rom. 1:14).

K.
We believe in the personal, premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ and that this Blessed Hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and
service of the believer. (I Thess 4:14-16; Acts 1:11; I Jn 3:1-3)

L.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to
everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment
and everlasting conscious punishment. (II Cor 5:10; Rev 20:15; II Thess 1:7-9)