STATEMENT OF FAITH

1. The Scriptures: We believe the scriptures as contained in the old and new Testaments are inspired by God Therefore they are without error in all they assert whether pertaining to faith, history, science, or on any other subject. We also believe that the scriptures have been, "by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages" (Westminster Confession).

2. God: We believe God is Spirit: eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, the Source and Creator of all things.

3. Trinity: We believe God is One God existing in three Persons who are co-equal, co-eternal, and of one essence. These Persons are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

4. Jesus Christ: We believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be the eternal Son of God  by and through whom the worlds were made, who took on human flesh being born of a Virgin, lived a sinless life in the sight of God and became Himself the  sacrifice for the sins of the world.

5. The Resurrection: We believe that Jesus Christ, having put away sin, bodily rose from the dead never to die again. As the “first fruit” those who are His shall be raised at the appointed time in like manner.

6. The Assention: We believe Jesus Christ ascended to heaven to take His place as Lord, Advocate, and High Priest  on behalf of His Church and shall remain there until His bodily return to earth to establish His kingdom on the earth at the appointed time.

7. The Holy Spirit: Upon Christ’s ascention, The third person of the Trinity was sent as the Convicter, Comforter, and Teacher. To convince the world of sin, to indwell and comfort the believer, and to lead believer into all truth.  His primary ministry is to take the reality of all Jesus Christ has done and apply it and make it real in the experience of the believer. He is also given to empower the believer in service to God through the gifts and the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

8. Man: We believe that as a result of the Fall of man, all are born into this world in a state of sin, separation from God, and spiritual death. We believe man is both Judicially guilty before God as result of Adam’s sin, and practically in a state of rebellion against God.

9. Wrath: We believe God’s wrath abides upon the “sons of disobedience” and will ultimately show itself in judgement at God’s appointed time.

10. The eternal state of the lost: For those who continue in their sin and disobedience, God has appointed a place for them in the eternal lake of fire where the torment shall never cease.

11. Salvation: We believe God has provided the means of salvation through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This salvation is by Grace through faith, not of works.

12. Requirements for Salvation: God commands every man to repent and believe the Gospel. Repentance toward God from a life of sin and self centered rebellion and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again on our behalf.

13. Regeneration: We believe that when a man repents and believes, a permanent work of the Spirit takes place in that person uniting him forever to the Lord Jesus Christ and creating in him a new nature created in the image of God. The Spirit indwells him to enable him to live in a manner pleasing to God and works in him to conform him internally to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ in life and character.

14. Sanctification: While a person becomes a “new creation” at regeneration, the Spirit continues to work in the individual revealing the remnants of the old life and applying the work of Christ separating the believer from sin and enabling him to live in the power of the risen Lord. Sanctification is not a “second work of grace” but rather a process that begins at the new birth (regeneration) and continues throughout the life of the believer.

15. Spiritual Gifts: We believe God is sovereign in His dispensation of gifts and these gifts are to be employed under His direction to equip and edify the body of Christ.

16. Signs and Wonders: While God is able at all times  to do anything, it is an evil and adulterous generation that seeketh after a sign. We are never taught to seek after signs, but rather love, the glory of God and proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet signs and wonders are not to be discounted.

17. The Church: We believe the Church is comprised of all who belong to Jesus Christ. When a person repents and believes, he is added to the Church.

18. The Local Church: The Church (universal) finds its expression in the local Church. This assembly is made up of those who are united to Jesus Christ. The purpose of the local church is fellowship, corporate worship, prayer, the breaking of bread, and the apostle’s teaching (the Scriptures).

19. Denominations: Christ has broken down the dividing wall contained in ordinances, etc. While organizations may be distinguished by differing views on secondary issues, there is no distinction in the sight of God.

20. Baptism: Baptism is a public declaration to the world and the body of Christ of a believers union with Jesus Christ. It signifies the union of the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. While it is an act of obedience, it adds nothing to a person’s salvation. It is rather a testimony to the salvation which has already taken place.

21. The Great Commission: Christ commissioned his Church to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature… We believe this commission to be binding upon every member of the body of Christ and our lives are to be centered upon the fulfilling of this commission. Whether we are in secular work or make our living in the gospel, The ultimate object of our lives is the fulfilling of this commission to the Glory of God.

22. The Eternal Perspective: The Scriptures present the Christian life in the perspective of eternity (this momentary light affliction doth work for us an eternal weight of glory). There are promises made to us by God for the present and there are promises that will be fulfilled only in the future (i.e. the resurrection of the body). The full manifestation of the redemption of Christ will be seen only in that day (Romans 8:19).

23. The World: “Don’t build your nest in the trees of this world, they are marked for the ax.” We believe the scriptures teach this present world is judged and awaiting execution. We as believers are not called to Christianize the world, but rather to evangelize the world. God calls us out of the world into Christ as God called Noah and his family out of the world which was being judged into the Ark. In union with Jesus Christ, believers are dead to the world and as such should live in a manner consistant with this position.

24. The Flesh: When a man is united to Jesus Christ through regeneration, he partakes of Christ separation and death to the authority of the flesh  The man he was he is no longer (Romans 6:6). Yet the flesh is still present and exerts its desire and its lust  It's authority is broken but not its presence (Romans 7).. The beleiver through the power of the Spirit  is able to live a victorious life  over the flesh (Romans 8). .  (ye are debters not to the flesh, to live according to it's lust).

25. The Devil: The devil is a genuine personage. A rebellious fall angel. He is known as Satan, Lucifer,  The Prince of this World, the Prince of the Power of the Air, The Deceiver, the Tempter, and the Accuser of the Bretheren. He reigns over a host of fallen angels and spirits whose malice toward God is manifest in his hatred toward God's creation,  man, and particularly the God/Man Jesus Christ. He has enslaved the minds and hearts of fallen man and reigns through deception, manipulition, and control of his willing agents. His ultimate doom is the Lake of Fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. The believer has been translated out from his dominion in Jesus Christ. His authority is broken in Christ (Colossians 1:13). The believer in union with Jesus Christ is seated whith Christ in the heavenlies far above his dominion and rule (Ephesians 2).

26. Prosperity: God promises to meet our needs out of His abundance in the doing of His Will. The Christian is not exempt from the storms of life. These storms are sent to test the foundation our lives are built upon. If upon Christ, we will stand. If upon another, we will crumble (Romans 5:3-5).

27. Suffering: This world hated Jesus Christ and ultimately crucified Him. If it hated Him, it will also hate those who are His. (John 15:18-20) Fellowship with Christ in His Sufferings is the privilege of every believer.

28. Sickness: God can and does heal the sick. He does so directly, and also through means.  Healing is not guaranteed and God uses sickness to accomplish His purposes as He does other trials in life. Seeking the Lord is the remedy if not the cure.

29. Prayer: Access to God is the privlege of every believer. Effectual prayer is centered upon the glory of God and His will. The Spirit of God is the active Agent in effectual prayer. Jesus Christ is the means through whom we have our access.

29. Worship: Worship is primary in the life of every believer.  Distinct from intercessary prayer, true worship is centered upon the worth ship of the one worshiped. Worship brings us into the presence of the Eternal God and His Christ. It is here that God communicates His Presence to man.

30. Witnessing: Witnessing is simply bearing witness to the  Lord Jesus Christ. Effectual witnessing flows from a life of reality before God. Whether it is simply sharing what the Lord is teaching us, presenting the gospel to another, or discussing biblical truth, it’s object is to lead another into an initial or deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

31. The Sovereignty of God: The Scriptures do not hesitate to affirm God’s sovereign hand in the affairs of men (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 9) and in the calling of those who are His. That men are responsible for their actions and responses is also affirmed. To the lost, the call is “Whosoever will may come”. To those who come, the word is “chosen before the foundations of the world”.

32 Atonement: The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is Godward and His blood is an Atonement for the sins of the world. While it's value is infinitely adequate for the entire world, it's application is limited to those who by repentance and faith are joined to Jesus Christ (Romans 5:19).

Pat Cooksey
Written in the Fall of 1996
Revised and Published 3/5/98