What We Believe

God

God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. God is eternal, without beginning or end. God is all powerful, full of love, grace, and holy righteousness. God spoke the universe into existence. God is involved in the world today.

1 John 5:7
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

Matthew 28:19
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”

1 Corinthians 8:6
“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Hebrews 1:8
“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

Acts 5:3-4
“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

The Bible

The bible is God’s word. The books comprising the old and new testament are God’s inspired writings. His word is inerrant, sufficient, and relevant for God’s people today. God has preserved His word throughout history. The King James translation is an example of God’s providence in preserving His word for English speaking people. The bible is the only authority of our beliefs and practice.

The purpose of the bible is to teach and comfort God’s children with the good news of their successful savior and king. The purpose of the bible is to furnish, equip, and mature God’s children so that they may properly honor, worship, and serve Him.

2 Timothy 3:14-17
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

2 Peter 1:21
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Psalm 12:6-7
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

Proverbs 30:5-6
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

1 Timothy 1:10
“For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”

Man: Dead in Sins

Mankind needs salvation. Today, man is not conceived “good”, nor are we a “blank slate”. In the beginning, God created man good and upright, but suffered him to fall. Adam disobeyed God and fell into a state of death in sins. Adam, and all his descendants, fell into bondage to sin and its effects (including natural death). Man caused the curse. There was no death or suffering before Adam’s sin. Man’s sins are the reason for the state of the world today.

In the state and nature of sin, fellowship with God is lost and eternal punishment is due. While man is spiritually dead in trespasses and sin, he is unable and unwilling to do anything to rescue himself. Spiritually dead men have no will or ability to hear or receive spiritual things, nor to do good works acceptable in God’s eyes; man’s only desire is to fulfill his own lusts.

Genesis 2:17
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Romans 3:9-18
“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

1 Corinthians 2:14
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Ephesians 2:1-3
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

Romans 5:12
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Romans 8:5-8
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Psalm 14:1
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

Psalm 51:5
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Psalm 58:3
“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”

Salvation: Redemption and Justification

Jesus Christ is our savior. Access to eternal heaven is obtained only through perfect righteousness. Our only hope of eternal salvation is that the merit and righteousness of Christ would be counted (imputed) to us.

Christ’s work on the cross was successful. He eternally redeemed (purchased back) and justified (declared and made righteous) His people through His blood and death on the cross. This justification by grace fulfilled the promise that Jesus would “save His people from their sins”. Christ’s death secured forgiveness of sins and redemption for a people out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Christ offered Himself to God on the cross. As both a perfect high priest and as a passover lamb without blemish or spot, the offering was accepted and our sins purged forever.

Matthew 1:21
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Hebrews 9:12
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Hebrews 10:17-18
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

Titus 3:4-7
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Romans 3:24
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 5:21
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

James 2:10
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

1 Peter 1:18
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.”

Revelation 5:9
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

Salvation: Born from Above

The moment in our existence that we are saved from the bondage of sin is called the new birth. By nature, man is dead in sins. For our soul and spirit to be fit to enter eternal heaven, man must first be born again (born “from above”). To hear and discern spiritual things, and enjoy the spiritual kingdom of heaven right now, man must first be born again. Being born again is the same as being “quickened” in Eph 2 and the same as being “regenerated” in Tit 3.

This new birth, as with the bodily resurrection at the end of time, is an effectual call from death to life by the direct operation of the Holy Spirit (which could also be stated as the life-giving voice of the Son of God). This resurrecting call is not bound to human means. Good works nor gospel presentations have life-giving powers, it is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing.

Being born again (quickened, saved by grace) is not of man’s works or will.

After being born again, man becomes dual natured. Man gains a new nature and faith; and a new heart with God’s laws inscribed upon. But the old fallen nature of the flesh still persists. Having a new nature, we are enabled and convicted to faithfully believe and follow our Lord’s teachings. Our daily battle is to “put off the old man” and “put on the new man”, to follow and walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

John 3:6-8
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

John 5:25
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

John 6:37
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

John 6:63
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

John 1:13
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 8:30
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Ephesians 2:1
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

2 Timothy 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

Romans 7:19-21
“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”

Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

Salvation: Conversion and Deliverance

Save yourself, Peter says in Acts 2, from this untoward generation. Turn from the ways of the world and avoid reaping the seeds of sin. Peter is not saying that we play a role in being born again. This salvation is referring to being saved from the consequences of worldliness and from the chastisement and judgement that comes upon disobedient children, it is not referring to salvation from an eternal hell to an everlasting life.

In this world, we shall have tribulation, and persecution, and danger, sickness, despair, depression, and all manner of storms. Our belief, repentance, faithfulness, and obedience in the things contained in the gospel will save us from or through these temporal trials.

Hearing and believing the good news will save us from much sorrow and anxious burdens in this life. Ignorance of God’s ways leads to bondage and self-righteousness. The knowledge of the gospel will save us from the ignorance and heavy weight of trying to redeem ourselves through perfect law-keeping.

The purpose of the Gospel is not to produce the new birth. The gospel is good news for those who “have ears to hear” (those who have already been born again). The gospel message is one of victory in Jesus Christ. The gospel heals the brokenhearted and comforts the spiritually poor and needy. The message of mercy and grace is good news from a far country.

The gospel first tells us what the Lord has done for us, then it calls us to repent (turn/change our mind) and to be willing and obedient to God’s teachings. This call to turn from our old ways begins with an initial profession of faith in Christ and conversion (turning/changing of our ways). Preaching “all the counsel of God” should then lead to maturity and growth in our Chrisitan walk.

We should all have a zeal for the spreading of the Gospel of Christ.

1 Timothy 4:16
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

1 Corinthians 15:2
“By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”

Isaiah 40:1-2
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”

Isaiah 52:7
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

Ephesians 4:11-12
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

2 Timothy 1:10
“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Romans 10:9-17
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Acts 20:27-28
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Matthew 28:19
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

1 Peter 3:21
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

Everlasting Covenant: Election and Predestination

The words election (choosing) and predestination (predetermining beforehand) are found in the New Testament scriptures and apply to God’s children today. These words are used in the context of “people”, not “things”. God did not predetermine sin, nor does He cause sin.

These principles are relating to an everlasting covenant that was determined before the world began. Because God looked down from eternity and saw that there would be none that would be willing or obedient, He covenanted together with Himself a plan of eternal salvation. This glorious and comforting doctrine teaches that God chose an innumerable people out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation, and predestinated them to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, thus becoming joint-heirs with Him of the glory of heaven.

Scripture is clear that God’s sovereign choice was not according to our works, nor of “him that willeth”, but according to His mercy. God’s plan of eternal salvation (including election, predestination, redemption, justification, regeneration, resurrection) is conditioned upon the work of the triune God alone.

Ephesians 1:4-11
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

1 Peter 1:1-5
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Romans 8:29-30
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Romans 9:11-16
“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

Revelation 5:9
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

2 Samuel 23:5
“Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.”

2 Timothy 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

Titus 1:2
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”

Revelation 13:8
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Hebrews 13:20
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”

Ezekiel 37:26
“Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.”

Holiness and Sanctified Living for God’s glory

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid! (Rom 6:1-2)  Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid (Rom 6:15).

Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, knew that some would mock eternal salvation by grace alone, so he said “God forbid!” (a fervent imploring that such a thing should never be said or thought!) Rather, it is God’s will for our lives that we be holy and sanctified (separated, counter-cultural). God commands His born again children to love not, nor be fashioned unto, nor be conformed to the standards and ways of this world.

We are “created unto good works”. We were purified to be “zealous of good works”. Maintaining good works is profitable. Fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man. God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

God is glorified when men see good works done in His name and with the proper motivation. God is glorified when we bear much spiritual fruit.

Since we love Him, we are called to keep His commandments. Since we are risen with Christ, we are called to set our affections on things above. Our service should be “in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter”. Obedience is not for the purpose of becoming worthy of heaven. Holiness does not increase God’s love for us. Our obedient sanctified living is for His glory and for His pleasure.

Good works also benefit believers. The level of peace, satisfaction, joy, fulfillment, and spirituality we feel in this life is conditioned upon our trust and obedience to God. Our fruitfulness pleases God. Our unfruitfulness displeases God.

As a good and loving Father, God chastens His children when they disobey, and rewards His obedient children with true and spiritual riches in this life. But thanks be to God that our eternal heavenly home is not based upon our level of obedience in this life.

Ephesians 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.”

1 Peter 1:15
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

Romans 12:1-2
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

John 14:15
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Romans 7:6
“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”

Colossians 3:1-2
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

Hebrews 12:6
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

James 4:8
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

Eternal Security

God preserves His redeemed children unto Heaven. In this life we can and do stumble. God’s children can fall from favor. We can become castaways and not suitable for the master’s use. We can ruin our reputations and ministries. These are shameful conditions that the child of God should “watch” and “take heed” not to fall into.

But praise be to God that Christ shall lose none that were given Him!  Having been given everlasting life, none of God’s children shall eternally perish nor be plucked from God’s preserving hand. There is no eternal condemnation, nor separation from His love; it is God that justifieth.

We should continue to strive to persevere in holiness, but we fail too often. Our hope of heaven is not placed in our own perseverance and faithfulness. The doctrine of eternal security gives us a blessed assurance and comforting hope in the power of God.

John 6:37-39
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”

John 10:27-30
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”

Romans 8:33-
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Peter 1:4-5
“…To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Hebrews 10:14
“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

Jude 1
“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.”

Heb 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”

Php 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”

The End

At the end of time our Lord Jesus Christ will come again. At His coming there will be a bodily resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. All that are Christ’s will meet the Lord in the air and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Those justified through His blood will be made fit for Heaven by having their bodies changed and glorified in that moment.

The unjust, those left in their sins, will be righteously condemned to the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:24,42,52
[24] “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.”
[42] “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:”
[52] “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

John 5:28-29
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

Acts 24:15
“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”

Revelation 20:11-15
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Matthew 25:41-46
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

The Church, the Name, and the Difference

Each local congregation (church) should be independent of man’s hierarchical systems, and look to only one head, the Lord Jesus Christ. We welcome anyone to worship with us, and we have close fellowship with “sister” churches (those of the same beliefs and practices), but we are not part of a denominational system.

The bible describes two church offices (elder and deacon) and two God-ordained traditions (baptism and the Lord’s supper). There are also other symbolic examples given (including foot washing) that bring close fellowship and blessing to Christians.

The name “Primitive” or “Old School” baptist, refers to historic and original beliefs and practices. We seek to follow the simplistic pattern found in scripture. We believe our worship is regulated by God’s authorized commandments and patterns found in the New Testament.

Lord willing, each Sunday morning you will find simple worship consisting of acapella congregational singing, prayer, and preaching. You will find sinners, saved by grace, trying to serve God and love each other. You will find people that assemble to worship God and to exhort and encourage one another. You will find a people that desire to seek and serve Jesus Christ and to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

Come and see!

Titus 1:5
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”

Acts 6:2-3
“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

1 Corinthians 11:24-26
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

John 13:14-15
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

1 Peter 5:2
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”

1 Corinthians 14:40
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Acts 8:37
“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Matthew 28:19
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”