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Welcome to Grace Baptist Church
A Brief History
Grace Baptist Church's official grand opening was on April 17th, 2022 (Resurrection Sunday) after a week of "Get Acquainted" meetings. Pastor Dustin Beck worked with several different churches from around the state and country to start this new church. Pastors and churches around Montana have been a blessing to our startup in various aspects of help, and we are so grateful for them. Charter membership will be open for the first year to any who meet the criteria for membership.
Our Name
The name, Grace Baptist Church, has a lot of meaning. First, our salvation is obtained by GRACE, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The message of the grace of God is what we seek to share with the world. Without grace, GBC woudln't exist and we would all be seperated from God for all eternity in a place called Hell. At Grace Baptist Church, we desire to make sure everyone has heard the truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ so they can make this most important decision for themselves. It is only through the Grace of Jesus Christ that one can obtain a place in Heaven forever! Do you know where you will spend eternity? Click here to find out how to know for sure!
Our Denomination
We are Independent Baptist. We are independent in that we do NOT affiliate with any governing association. We do adhere to the Baptist Distinctives, which have carried through history from the start of the church age:
Our Doctrinal Statement of Beliefs
Statement of Faith
The following comprises the Scriptural beliefs of Grace Baptist Church:
The Holy Scriptures We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbal and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical and literal meaning. The King James Version of the Bible is the official and only translation used by this family.
- 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Dispensationalism We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man's responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations - the law, the church, and the kingdom - are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture.
- Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Revelation 20:2-6
The Godhead We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
- Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Person and Work of Christ
- Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:17-19
Salvation We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.
- Matthew 12:31-32; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9
The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
- Leviticus 19:28; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11
The Second Advent of Christ We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel.
- Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:1-6
The Eternal State We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.
- Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; John 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6; Revelation 20:12-13
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.
- Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 2:4-6
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne of Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.
- Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15
Satan and Fallen Angels We believe that Satan is a person. He was created perfect but sinned and became the arch enemy of God and His creation. He is the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; He is the chief adversary of God's children. He seeks to keep man from the Lord, and when he cannot succeed in this, he seeks to weaken the testimony of Christians. He has at his command a great host of fallen angels and demons to carry out his purposes. He is not omnipotent and can be overcome by the power of God. His doom is sealed in the Lake of Fire forever and ever.
- Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 13:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:2-11; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:10; Revelation 20:10
Doctrine of Last Things We believe there will be a resurrection of all, first the just at the coming of Jesus Christ and finally the unjust after the millennium. The saints are raised to be forever with the Lord, and the unsaved will be confined for eternity in the Lake of Fire. We believe in the "Blessed Hope" (Titus 2:13) which is the personal, bodily, pretribulational, premillennial, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior for His church at the rapture and His later return to the earth in power and glory with His saints to set up His Kingdom (the millennium).
- John 13:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-20; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 20:1-15; Revelation 21:8
Creation We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and the Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
- Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11
Civil Government We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in the respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
- Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14
Human Sexuality We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance.
- Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthinas 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
- Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23
Family Relationships We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
- Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; 1 Timothy 3:12
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.
- Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7
Divorce and Remarriage We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon.
- Malachi 2:13-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6
Abortion We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.
- Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; Jeremiah 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
Euthanasia We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment.
- Exodus 20:13; Exodus 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28
Love We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat of the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
- Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; Romans 12:17-21; Romans 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
Lawsuits between Believers We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32
Missions We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and other areas of our own country and not wait for them to come to us.
- Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8
Giving We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made.
- Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17
Authority of Statement of Faith The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is fulling binding.
Welcome to Grace Baptist Church
A Brief History
Grace Baptist Church's official grand opening was on April 17th, 2022 (Resurrection Sunday) after a week of "Get Acquainted" meetings. Pastor Dustin Beck worked with several different churches from around the state and country to start this new church. Pastors and churches around Montana have been a blessing to our startup in various aspects of help, and we are so grateful for them. Charter membership will be open for the first year to any who meet the criteria for membership.
Our Name
The name, Grace Baptist Church, has a lot of meaning. First, our salvation is obtained by GRACE, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The message of the grace of God is what we seek to share with the world. Without grace, GBC woudln't exist and we would all be seperated from God for all eternity in a place called Hell. At Grace Baptist Church, we desire to make sure everyone has heard the truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ so they can make this most important decision for themselves. It is only through the Grace of Jesus Christ that one can obtain a place in Heaven forever! Do you know where you will spend eternity? Click here to find out how to know for sure!
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9
(8)For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(8)For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 16:24
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Our Denomination
We are Independent Baptist. We are independent in that we do NOT affiliate with any governing association. We do adhere to the Baptist Distinctives, which have carried through history from the start of the church age:
- B - Biblical Authority
-
The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. It is the final authority on all matters of faith, practice, and polity.
The tradition of men, human opinion, false "science", religious creeds, nor popular opinion override the plain teaching of God's Word.
-- Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21 - A - Autonomy of the Local Church
-
Each local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the church. Each church is autonomous,
or self-governing, and contains all human authority for leadership within its congregation. No individual church may exert authority over another.
-- Colossians 1:18; Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 15:22; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23 - P - Priesthood of the Believer
-
All born-again believers have the privilege of direct access to God. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man.
We need no other human agent or spiritual mediator. As God's priests, we can study His Word, pray for our needs, interceded
for others, offer worship, and serve in His work. Every child of God has equal access to their Heavenly Father.
-- 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10 - T - Two Ordinances
-
The local church is mandated by God to practice two ordinances. (1) Baptism of believers by immersion in water symbolizes sincere faith in Christ's death,
burial, and resurrection with the desire to walk in newness of life. (2) The Lord's Supper, or Communion, commemorates Christ's broken body and shed blood
giving each believer an opportunity for self-examination and rededication. These are not sacraments to earn salvation, but privileges granted by grace.
-- Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 - I - Individual Soul Liberty
-
Every individual, believer and unbeliever, possesses the God-given privilege of free will having the liberty to choose what to believe. No one should be
forced to any belief against his or her will. God speaks to individuals through His Word and His Spirit. Every person is individually responsible to God
and will be judged according to the beliefs and practices he or shee freely chooses. Freedom of choice demands personal responsibility.
-- John 3:36; Romans 14:4-12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9 - S - Saved, Baptized Church Membership
-
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified with Him in
believer's baptism. Church membership is a necessary privilege for believers who follow Chirist. Fellowship, guidance, and encouragement of the local
church family are essential for believers to maintain an unwavering testimony and a meaningful life of service.
-- Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 10:23-25 - T - Two Offices
-
Scripture mandates two offices for the local church. The pastor leads, feeds, guides, and guards the church at the direction of Christ. The Bible terms "pastor," "elder,"
and "bishop" refer to different responsibilities for the same office. Deacons help the pastor care for the flock so he can give priority to prayer and the ministry
of the Word. The Bible gives qualifications for each office.
-- 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6:1-7; Philippians 1:1 - S - Separation of Church and State
-
God established both civil and local church governments. They have distinct responsibilities and operations. Neither should control the other. Believers in a free
society should influence government toward righteousness, but should not make an unholy alliance for control, influence or favors. A government should not interfere
with the local church's preaching, activities, and ministry.
-- Matthew 22:15-22; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 13:1-7
Our Doctrinal Statement of Beliefs
Statement of Faith
The following comprises the Scriptural beliefs of Grace Baptist Church:
The Holy Scriptures We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbal and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical and literal meaning. The King James Version of the Bible is the official and only translation used by this family.
- 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Dispensationalism We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man's responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations - the law, the church, and the kingdom - are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture.
- Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25, 27; Revelation 20:2-6
The Godhead We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
- Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Person and Work of Christ
- We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.
- Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8 - We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
- Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5 - We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
- Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2
- We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.
- John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14 - We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.
- Ephesians 1:17-18; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27 - We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.
- Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12
- Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:17-19
Salvation We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.
- Matthew 12:31-32; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9
The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
- We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever.
- John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:4-5 - We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
- Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15
- We believe that the local church is a body of organized believers, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, solely made up of born-again persons, who meet regularly for fellowship, worship and Bible study.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:25-27 - We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.
- Acts 2:27; Acts 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11 - We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control.
- Acts 12:1-4; Acts 15:19-31; Acts 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4 -
We believe there are only two Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age:
- Baptism by immersion
- Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:34-38; Acts 16:31-33 - The Lord's Supper - Bread and Cup
- Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Baptism by immersion
- Leviticus 19:28; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11
The Second Advent of Christ We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel.
- Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:1-6
The Eternal State We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.
- Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; John 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6; Revelation 20:12-13
We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.
- Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 2:4-6
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne of Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.
- Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15
Satan and Fallen Angels We believe that Satan is a person. He was created perfect but sinned and became the arch enemy of God and His creation. He is the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; He is the chief adversary of God's children. He seeks to keep man from the Lord, and when he cannot succeed in this, he seeks to weaken the testimony of Christians. He has at his command a great host of fallen angels and demons to carry out his purposes. He is not omnipotent and can be overcome by the power of God. His doom is sealed in the Lake of Fire forever and ever.
- Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 13:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:2-11; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:10; Revelation 20:10
Doctrine of Last Things We believe there will be a resurrection of all, first the just at the coming of Jesus Christ and finally the unjust after the millennium. The saints are raised to be forever with the Lord, and the unsaved will be confined for eternity in the Lake of Fire. We believe in the "Blessed Hope" (Titus 2:13) which is the personal, bodily, pretribulational, premillennial, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior for His church at the rapture and His later return to the earth in power and glory with His saints to set up His Kingdom (the millennium).
- John 13:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-20; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 20:1-15; Revelation 21:8
Creation We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and the Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
- Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11
Civil Government We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in the respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
- Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14
Human Sexuality We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance.
- Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthinas 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
- Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23
Family Relationships We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
- Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; 1 Timothy 3:12
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.
- Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7
Divorce and Remarriage We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon.
- Malachi 2:13-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6
Abortion We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.
- Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; Jeremiah 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
Euthanasia We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment.
- Exodus 20:13; Exodus 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28
Love We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat of the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
- Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; Romans 12:17-21; Romans 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
Lawsuits between Believers We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32
Missions We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and other areas of our own country and not wait for them to come to us.
- Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8
Giving We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made.
- Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17
Authority of Statement of Faith The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is fulling binding.
