We believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the

universe; that He only is God, holy in nature, attributes, and purpose. The God who is holy love and

light is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

(Genesis 1; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 5:16; 6:1-7; 40:18-31; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-

20; John 14:6-27; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; 1

John 1:5; 4:8)

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He was eternally one

with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, so

that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in

one Person very God and very man, the God-man.

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that He truly arose from the dead and took again

His body, together with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith He

ascended into heaven and is there engaged in intercession for us.

(Matthew 1:20-25; 16:15-16; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-36; Romans 8:3, 32-34; Galatians

4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:12-22; 1 Timothy 6:14-16; Hebrews 1:1-5; 7:22-28; 9:24-28; 1 John

1:1-3; 4:2-3, 15)

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, that He is ever present

and efficiently active in and with the Church of Christ, convincing the world of sin, regenerating

those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth as it is in Jesus.

(John 7:39; 14:15-18, 26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:33; 15:8-9; Romans 8:1-27; Galatians 3:1-14; 4:6; Ephesians

3:14-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:24; 4:13)

We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66

books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of

God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein

is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.

(Luke 24:44-47; John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience of our first parents, and death

by sin. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original sin or depravity, and actual or personal sin.

We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that corruption of the nature of all the offspring of

Adam by reason of which everyone is very far gone from original righteousness or the pure state of

our first parents at the time of their creation, is averse to God, is without spiritual life, and inclined

to evil, and that continually. We further believe that original sin continues to exist with the new life

of the regenerate, until the heart is fully cleansed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in that it constitutes an inherited propensity

to actual sin for which no one is accountable until its divinely provided remedy is neglected or

rejected.

We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary violation of a known law of God by a

morally responsible person. It is therefore not to be confused with involuntary and inescapable

shortcomings, infirmities, faults, mistakes, failures, or other deviations from a standard of perfect

conduct that are the residual effects of the Fall. However, such innocent effects do not include

attitudes or responses contrary to the spirit of Christ, which may properly be called sins of the

spirit. We believe that personal sin is primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love; and that

in relation to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief.

(Original sin: Genesis 3; 6:5; Job 15:14; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:18-25;

5:12-14; 7:1-8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 John 1:7-8 Personal sin: Matthew 22:36-40

{with 1 John 3:4}; John 8:34-36; 16:8-9; Romans 3:23; 6:15-23; 8:18-24; 14:23; 1 John 1:9-2:4; 3:7-10)

We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own blood, and by His

death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only

ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. The Atonement

is graciously efficacious for the salvation of those incapable of moral responsibility and for the

children in innocency but is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of responsibility

only when they repent and believe.

(Isaiah 53:5-6, 11; Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46-48; John 1:29; 3:14-17; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 3:21-26;

4:17-25; 5:6-21; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Galatians 1:3-4; 3:13-14; Colossians 1:19-23;

1 Timothy 2:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:9; 9:11-14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18- 21; 2:19-25; 1 John 2:1-2)

We believe that the human race’s creation in Godlikeness included ability to choose between

right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally responsible; that through the fall

of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their

own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God. But we also believe that the grace of

God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin

to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works

pleasing and acceptable in His sight.

We believe that all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire

sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless they repent of their sins, be hopelessly

and eternally lost.

(Godlikeness and moral responsibility: Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 30:19; Joshua

24:15; Psalm 8:3-5; Isaiah 1:8-10; Jeremiah 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:1-4; Micah 6:8; Romans 1:19-20; 2:1-

16; 14:7-12; Galatians 6:7-8 Natural inability: Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalms 14:1-4; 51:5; John 3:6a; Romans

3:10-12; 5:12-14, 20a; 7:14-25 Free grace and works of faith: Ezekiel 18:25-26; John 1:12-13; 3:6b; Acts

5:31; Romans 5:6-8, 18; 6:15-16, 23; 10:6-8; 11:22; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 10:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19;

Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:10a; Titus 2:11-14;

Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-15; 6:4-6; 10:26-31; James 2:18-22; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 2:20-22)

We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which He grants full pardon

of all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed, and acceptance as righteous,

to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the

moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life,

capable of faith, love, and obedience.

We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated

believer is constituted a son of God.

We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of

seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and that

to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

(Luke 18:14; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 5:24; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 3:21-26, 28; 4:5-9, 17-25; 5:1, 16-19;

6:4; 7:6; 8:1, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16-21; 3:1-14, 26; 4:4-7;

Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:1, 4-5; Philippians 3:3-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 1:9; 3:1-2,

9; 4:7; 5:1, 9-13, 18)

We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin,

involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who

have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent

the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon and

spiritual life.

(2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; 51:1-17; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:12-14; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:14-16;

Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5; 18:9-14; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30-31; 26:16-18; Romans 2:4; 2

Corinthians 7:8-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9)

We believe that sanctification is the work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of

Christ. It is wrought by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification, or regeneration

(simultaneous with justification), entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the

Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification we are fully conformed to the image of the

Son.

We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which

believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire

devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.

It is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience

the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit,

empowering the believer for life and service.

Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through

faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears

witness.

This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as “Christian

perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart purity,” “the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit,” “the

fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian holiness.”

We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character.

The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of

growth in grace.

We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the divine impulse to grow in grace as

a Christlike disciple. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention

given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of

character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor, one’s witness may be impaired and

the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost.

Participating in the means of grace, especially the fellowship, disciplines, and sacraments of the

Church, believers grow in grace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor.

(Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; John 7:37-39;

14:15-23; 17:6-20; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; Romans 6:11-13, 19; 8:1-4, 8-14; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-

7:1; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:17-18, 25-27; Philippians 3:10-15; Colossians 3:1-17;

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1-2; 13:12; 1 John 1:7, 9) (“Christian perfection,”

“perfect love”: Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 5:43-48; 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1

Corinthians 13; Philippians 3:10-15; Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:17-18 “Heart purity”: Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-

9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3 “Baptism with the Holy Spirit”: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi

3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9 “Fullness of the blessing”: Romans 15:29

“Christian holiness”: Matthew 5:1-7:29; John 15:1-11; Romans 12:1-15:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-

5:20; Philippians 1:9-11; 3:12-15; Colossians 2:20-3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7-8; 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-

22; Hebrews 10:19-25; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 20-21)

We believe in the Church, the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant

people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit through

the Word.

God calls the Church to express its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through

the preaching of the Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His name; by obedience

to Christ, holy living, and mutual accountability.

The mission of the Church in the world is to share in the redemptive and reconciling ministry

of Christ in the power of the Spirit. The Church fulfills its mission by making disciples through

evangelism, education, showing compassion, working for justice, and bearing witness to the kingdom

of God.

The Church is a historical reality that organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms, exists both as

local congregations and as a universal body, and also sets apart persons called of God for specific

ministries. God calls the Church to live under His rule in anticipation of the consummation at the

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Exodus 19:3; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 8:11; 10:7; 16:13-19, 24; 18:15-20; 28:19-20; John 17:14-26;

20:21-23; Acts 1:7-8; 2:32-47; 6:1-2; 13:1; 14:23; Romans 2:28-29; 4:16; 10:9-15; 11:13-32; 12:1-8;

15:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 7:17; 11:1, 17-33; 12:3, 12-31; 14:26-40; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:1; Galatians 5:6,

13-14; 6:1-5, 15; Ephesians 4:1-17; 5:25-27; Philippians 2:1-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:13;

Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13; 2:4-12, 21; 4:1-2, 10-11; 1 John 4:17; Jude 24; Revelation 5:9-10)

We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament signifying

acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ, to be administered to believers and

declarative of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and full purpose of obedience in holiness and

righteousness.

Baptism being a symbol of the new covenant, young children may be baptized, upon request of

parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary Christian training.

Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the

applicant.

(Matthew 3:1-7; 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 16:29-34; 19:1- 6; Romans 6:3-4;

Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:18-22)

We believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ is essentially a New Testament sacrament, declarative of His sacrificial death, through the

merits of which believers have life and salvation and promise of all spiritual blessings in Christ. It is

distinctively for those who are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it they

show forth the Lord’s death till He come again. It being the Communion feast, only those who have

faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to participate therein.

(Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:28-58; 1 Corinthians

10:14-21; 11:23-32)

We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people [to seek] to offer the

prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical

science.

(2 Kings 5:1-19; Psalm 103:1-5; Matthew 4:23-24; 9:18-35; John 4:46-54; Acts 5:12-16; 9:32-42;

14:8-15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall

not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be

caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, so that we shall ever be with the Lord.

(Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14;

Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 3:3-15; Revelation 1:7-8; 22:7-20)

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust

shall be raised to life and united with their spirits—“they that have done good, unto the resurrection

of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

We believe in future judgment in which every person shall appear before God to be judged

according to his or her deeds in this life.

16.2. We believe that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in, and

obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall suffer eternally in hell.