Statement of Faith
Doctrinal Statement
Each Church in the Association shall affirm the following doctrines which are commonly believed among us;
1 The Scriptures
The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of Ihe Old and New Testaments as originally given by God;
their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
2 God
One God in three persons, the Holy Trinity, Father,. Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption.
3 The Lord Jesus Christ
The essential deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and men;
His virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross as the only substitute for sinners;
His burial, bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven;
His high priestly ministry and personal return.
4 The Holy Spirit
The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and Indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer.
5 The Devil
The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom.
6 Man
The creation of man in the image of God;
the entrance of sin through Adam's disobedience;
the fallen and totally depraved state Of all Men;
their subjection to God's wrath and condemnation;
their responsibility to repent and believe the Gospel.
7 Justification
The justification of the sinner by God's grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; the eternal security of the believer.
8 The Church
The church, the body of Christ, made up of those drawn .m every tribe, language, people and nation throughout history who are added to it by the work of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
the scriptural expression of the church in the world as the local company of baptised believers gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, fellowship, instruction and evangelism. in separation from all systems of belief that do not adhere to the Scriptures and are unfaithful to the gospel of salvation by grace alone;
resurrection;
the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's super; baptism being the immersion of believers on profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and symbol of their identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection;
the Lord 's supper being a remembrance of Christ until He comes and a renewal of commitment to Him;
the offices of elder and deacon,
the gifts of evangelist and pastor-teacher;
the priesthood of all believers and their unity In Me Body of Christ,
the separation of church and state.
9 The Future State
The unconditional immortality of the soul;
the resurrection of the body:
the eternal joy in heaven of the believer,
the conscious eternal punishment in hell of those who die impenitent.
10 Christian Behavior
The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the Lord and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives;
the duty of each church to exercise godly discipline in a loving and caring fashion.