STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT The following comprise the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members.

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1 STATEMENTOFFAITHANDCOVENANT ThefollowingcomprisetheScripturalbeliefsofthischurchanditsmembers. (A) TheHolyScriptures. WebelievetheHolyScripturesoftheOldandNewTestamenttobethe verbally(everyword)andplenary(complete)inspiredwordofgod.the Scripturesareinerrant,infallibleandGod breathedand,therefore,arethe finalauthorityforfaithandlife.thesixty sixbooksoftheoldandnew TestamentarethecompleteanddivinerevelationofGodtoMan.The Scripturesshallbeinterpretedaccordingtotheirnormalgrammaticalhistoricalmeaning,andallissuesofinterpretationandmeaningshallbe determinedbythepastor.forreasonsoftextualreliability,weuseand promotethekingjamesversionofthebible;thereforeitistheofficial versionusedbyallpastors,officers,andteachersinallchurch related ministries.(iitimothy3:16 17;IIPeter1:20 21) (B) TheTrueGod. WebelieveinonlyonetriuneGod,eternallyexistinginthreepersons Father,Son,andHolySpirit eachco eternalinbeing,co identicalinnature, co equalinpowerandglory,andhavingthesameattributesandperfections. (Deuteronomy6:4;Matthew28:19;John14:10,26; IICorinthians13:14;IJohn5:7;Revelation4:11) (C) ThePersonandWorkofChrist. 1.WebelievethattheLordJesusChrist,theeternalSonofGod,becameman, withoutceasingtobegod,havingbeenconceivedbytheholyspiritandborn ofthevirginmary,inorderthathemightrevealgodandredeemsinfulmen. (Isaiah7:14;9:6;Luke1:35;John1:1 2,14;IICorinthians5:19 21; Galatians4:4 5;Philippians2:5 8) 2.WebelievethattheLordJesusChristaccomplishedourredemption throughhisdeathonthecrossasarepresentative,vicarious,substitutionary sacrifice;and,thatourjustificationismadesurebyhisliteral,physical resurrectionfromthedead. (Acts2:18 36;Romans3:24 25;Ephesians1:7;IPeter2:24;IPeter1:3 5) 3.WebelievethattheLordJesusChristascendedtoHeavenandisnow exaltedattherighthandofgodwhere,asourhighpriest,hefulfillsthe ministryofrepresentative,intercessor,andadvocate.(acts1:9 10; Romans8:34;Hebrews9:24;7:25;1John2:1 2) (D) ThePersonandWorkoftheHolySpirit. 1.WebelievethattheHolySpiritisapersonwhoconvictstheworldof sin,ofrighteousness,andofjudgment;and,thatheisthesupernaturalagent inregeneration,baptizingallbelieversintothebodyofchrist,indwellingand sealingthemuntothedayofredemption.(john16:8 11;Romans8:9; 1Corinthians12:12 14;IICorinthians3:6;Ephesians1:13 14) 2.WebelievethatHeisthedivineTeacherwhoassistsbelieversto understandandappropriatethescripturesandthatitistheprivilegeand dutyofallthesavedtobefilledwiththespirit. (Eph.1:17 18;5:18;IJohn2:20,27) 3.WebelievethatGodissovereigninthebestowalofspiritualgiftstoevery

2 believer.goduniquelyusesevangelists,pastors,andteacherstoequip believersintheassemblyinorderthattheycandotheworkoftheministry. (Romans12:3 8;ICorinthians12:4 11,28;Ephesians4:7 12) 4.WebelievethatthesigngiftsoftheHolySpirit,suchasspeakingin tonguesandthegiftofhealingweretemporary.speakingintongueswas neverthecommonornecessarysignofthebaptismorfillingoftheholy Spirit.Ultimatedeliveranceofthebodyfromsicknessordeathawaits theconsummationofoursalvationintheresurrection,thoughgod frequentlychoosestoanswertheprayersofbelieversforphysicalhealing. (ICorinthians1:22;13:8;14:21 22) (E) TheTotalDepravityofMan. WebelievethatmanwascreatedintheimageandlikenessofGod;butthatin Adam ssinthehumanracefell,inheritedasinfulnature,andbecame alienatedfromgod.manistotallydepravedand,ofhimself,utterlyunableto remedyhislostcondition.(genesis1:26 27;Romans3:22 23;5:12;6:23; Ephesians2:1 3;4:17 19) (F) Salvation. WebelievethatsalvationisthegiftofGodbroughttomanbygraceand receivedbypersonalfaithinthelordjesuschrist,whosepreciousblood wasshedoncalvaryfortheforgivenessofoursins,whodied,wasburied, androsethethirddayfromthegrave.webelievethatapersonissavedthe momentherepentsofhissinsandplaceshisfaithinjesuschristaloneto savehim.wedonotbelieveinlimitedatonement,butthatchristdiedforthe sinsofeveryman,anddesiresforallmentocometorepentance. (Matthew12:31 32;John1:12;Acts20:21;Romans10:9,10,13;ICorinthians 15:3 4;Ephesians1:7;2:8 10;IPeter1:18 19;IIPeter3:9IJohn5:11 13) (G) TheEternalSecurityandAssuranceofBelievers. 1.Webelievethatalltheredeemed,oncesaved,arekeptbyGod spowerand arethussecureinchristforever.(john6:37 40;10:27 30; Romans8:1;38 39;ICorinthians1:4 8;IPeter1:4 5) 2.Webelievethatitistheprivilegeofbelieverstorejoicein theassuranceoftheirsalvationthroughthetestimonyofgod sword,which, however,clearlyforbidstheuseofchristianlibertyasanoccasiontothe flesh.(romans13:13 14;Galatians5:13;Titus2:11 15) (H) TheChurch. 1.Webelievethatthelocalchurch,whichisthebodyandtheespousedbride ofchrist,issolelymadeupofborn againpersons. (ICorinthians12:12 14;IICorinthians11:2;Ephesians1:22 23;5:25 27) 2.Webelievethattheestablishmentandcontinuanceoflocalchurchesis clearlytaughtanddefinedinthenewtestamentscriptures. (Acts14:27;20:17,28 32;ITimothy3:1 13;Titus1:5 11) 3.Webelieveintheautonomyofthelocalchurchfreeofanyexternal authorityorcontrol.(acts13:1 4;15:19 31;20:28;Romans16:1,4; ICorinthians3:9,16;5:4 7,13;IPeter5:1 4) 4.WerecognizewaterbaptismandtheLord ssupperasthescriptural ordinancesofobedienceforthechurchinthisage. (Matthew28:19 20;Acts2:41 42;8:36 38;ICorinthians11:23 26)

3 (I) Separation. Webelievethatallthesavedshouldliveinsuchamannerasnottobring reproachupontheirsaviorandlord.godcommandshispeopletoseparate fromallreligiousapostasy,allworldlyandsinfulpleasures,practices,and associations,andtorefrainfromallimmodestappearances.godhascalledus toaholylife.(leviticus19:28;romans12:1 2;14:13;ICorinthians6:19 20; IICorinthians6:14 7:1;IITimothy3:1 5;IPeter1:15;IJohn2:15 17; IIJohn9 11) (J) TheSecondAdventofChrist. Webelieveinthatblessedhope,thepersonal,imminentreturnofChrist, WhowillraptureHischurchpriortotheseven yeartribulationperiod.atthe endofthetribulation,christwillpersonallyandvisiblyreturnwithhis saints,toestablishhisearthlymessianickingdomwhichwaspromisedtothe nationofisrael.(psalms89:3 4;Daniel2:31 45;Zechariah14:4 11;I Thessalonians1:10,4:13 18;Titus2:13;Revelation3:10;19:11 16;20:1 6) (K) TheEternalState. 1.Webelieveinthebodilyresurrectionofallmen,thesavedtoeternallife, andtheunsavedtojudgmentandeverlastingpunishment.(matt.25:46; John5:28,29;11:25 26;Revelation20:5 6,12 13) 2.Webelievethatthesoulsoftheredeemedare,atdeath,absentfromthe bodyandpresentwiththelord,whereinconsciousblisstheyawaitthefirst resurrection,whenspirit,soul,andbodyarereunitedtobeglorifiedforever withthelord.(luke23:43;iicorinthians5:8;philippians1:23;3:21; IThessalonians4:16 17;Revelation20:4 6) 3.Webelievethatthesoulsofunbelieversremain,afterdeath,inconscious punishmentandtormentuntilthesecondresurrection,whenwithsouland bodyreunited,theyshallappearatthegreatwhitethronejudgment, andshallbecastintothelakeoffire,nottobeannihilated,buttosuffer everlastingconsciouspunishmentandtorment.(matthew25:41 46; Mark9:43 48;Luke16:19 26;IIThessalonians1:7 9;Jude6 7;Revelation 20:11 15) (L) ThePersonalityofSatan. WebelievethatSatanisaperson,theauthorofsinandthecauseoftheFall ofman;thatheistheopenanddeclaredenemyofgodandman;andthathe shallbeeternallypunishedinthelakeoffire.(job1:6 7;Isaiah14:12 17; Matthew4:2 11;25:41;Revelation20:10) (M) Creation. WebelievethatGodcreatedtheuniverseinsixliteral,24 hourperiods.we rejectevolutionasanunscripturaltheoryoforigin.(genesis1 2;Exodus 20:11) (N) CivilGovernment. WebelievethatGodhasordainedandcreatedallauthorityconsistingof threebasicinstitutions:1)thehome,2)thechurch,and3)thestate.every personissubjecttotheseauthorities,butall(includingtheauthorities themselves)areanswerabletogodandgovernedbyhisword.godhasgiven

4 eachinstitutionspecificbiblicalresponsibilitiesandbalancedthose responsibilitieswiththeunderstandingthatnoinstitutionhastherightto infringeupontheother.thehome,thechurch,andthestateareequaland sovereignintheirrespectivebiblicallyassignedspheresofresponsibility undergod.(romans13:1 7;Ephesians5:22 24;Hebrews13:17;IPeter 2:13 14) (O) HumanSexuality. 1.WebelievethatGodhascommandedthatnointimatesexualactivitybe engagedinoutsideofamarriagebetweenonemanandonewoman.we believethatanyformofhomosexuality,lesbianism,bisexuality,bestiality, incest,fornication,adultery,andpornographyaresinfulperversionsofgod s giftofsex.webelievethatgoddisapprovesofandforbidsanyattemptto alterone sgenderbysurgeryorappearance.(genesis2:24;genesis19:5,13; Genesis26:8 9;Leviticus18:1 30;Romans1:26 29;ICorinthians5:1;6:9;I Thessalonians4:1 8;Hebrews13:4) 2.WebelievethattheonlyScripturalmarriageisthejoiningofonemanand onewoman.(genesis2:24;romans7:2;icorinthians7:10; Ephesians5:22 23) (P) FamilyRelationships 1.Webelievethatmenandwomenarespirituallyequalinpositionbefore GodbutthatGodhasordaineddistinctandseparatespiritualfunctionsfor menandwomeninthehomeandthechurch.thehusbandistobetheleader ofthehome,andmenaretobetheleaders(pastorsanddeacons)ofthe church.accordingly,onlymenareeligibleforlicensureandordinationbythe church.(galatians3:28;colossians3:18;itimothy2:8 15;3:4 5,12) 2.WebelievethatGodhasordainedthefamilyasthefoundationalinstitution ofhumansociety.thehusbandistolovehiswifeaschristlovesthechurch. ThewifeistosubmitherselftotheScripturalleadershipofherhusbandas thechurchsubmitstotheheadshipofchrist.childrenareanheritagefrom thelord.parentsareresponsibleforteachingtheirchildrenspiritualand moralvaluesandleadingthem,throughconsistentlifestyleexampleand appropriatediscipline,includingscripturalcorporalcorrection.(genesis 1:26 28;Exodus20:12;Deuteronomy6:4 9;Psalms127:3 5;Proverbs19:18; 22:15;23:13 14;Mark10:6 12;ICorinthians7:1 16;Ephesians5:21 33;6:1 4,Colossians3:18 21;Hebrews13:4;IPeter3:1 7) 3.WebelievethatGod sperfectwillisformarriagetolastbetweenaman andawomanuntiltheywouldbeseparatedbydeath.althoughdivorcedand remarriedpersonsmayholdpositionsofserviceinthechurchandbegreatly usedbygod,theymaynotbeconsideredfortheofficesofpastoranddeacon. (Malachi2:14 17;Matthew19:3 12;Romans7:1 3;ITimothy3:2,12;Titus 1:6) (Q) Abortion. Webelievethathumanlifebeginsatconceptionandthattheunbornchildis alivinghumanbeing.abortionconstitutestheunjustified,unexcusedtaking ofunbornhumanlife.abortionismurder.werejectanyteachingthat abortionsofpregnanciesduetorape,incest,birthdefects,genderselection, andbirthorpopulationcontrol.(job3:16;psalms51:5;139:14 16;Isaiah 44:24;49:1,5;Jeremiah1:5;20:15 18;Luke1:44)

5 (R) Euthanasia. Webelievethatthedirecttakingofaninnocenthumanlifeisamoralevil, regardlessoftheintention.lifeisagiftofgodandmustberespectedfrom conceptionuntilnaturaldeath.thuswebelievethatanactoromission which,ofitselforbyintention,causesdeathinordertoeliminatesuffering constitutesamurdercontrarytothewillofgod.discontinuingmedical proceduresthatareextraordinaryordisproportionatetotheexpected outcomecanbealegitimaterefusalofover zealoustreatment.(exodus 20:13,23:7;Matthew5:21;Acts17:28) (S) Love. Webelievethatweshoulddemonstrateloveforothers,notonlytoward fellowbelievers,butalsotowardboththosewhoarenotbelievers,thosewho opposeus,andthosewhoengageinsinfulactions.wearetodealwiththose whoopposeusgraciously,gently,patiently,andhumbly.godforbidsthe stirringupofstrife,thetakingofrevenge,orthethreatortheuse ofviolenceasameansofresolvingpersonalconflictorobtainingpersonal justice.althoughgodcommandsustoabhorsinfulactions,wearetolove andprayforanypersonwhoengagesinsuchsinfulactions.(leviticus19:18; Matthew5:44 48;Luke6:31;John13:34 35;Romans12:9 10;17 21;13:8 10;Philippians2:2 4;IITimothy2:24 26;Titus3:2;IJohn3:17 18) (T) LawsuitsBetweenBelievers. WebelievethatChristiansareprohibitedfrombringingcivillawsuitsagainst otherchristiansorthechurchtoresolvepersonaldisputes.webelievethe churchpossessesalltheresourcesnecessarytoresolvepersonaldisputes betweenmembers.wedobelieve,however,thatachristianmayseek compensationforinjuriesfromanotherchristian sinsurancecompanyas longastheclaimispursuedwithoutmaliceorslander.(icorinthians6:1 8; Ephesians4:31 32) (U) Missions. WebelievethatGodhasgiventhechurchagreatcommissiontoproclaimthe Gospeltoallnationssothattheremightbeagreatmultitudefromevery nation,tribe,ethnicgroup,andlanguagegroupwhobelieveon thelordjesuschrist.asambassadorsofchristwemustuseallavailable meanstogototheforeignnationsandnotwaitforthemtocometous. (Matthew28:19 20;Mark16:15;Luke24:46 48;John20:21;Acts1:8;II Corinthians5:20) (V) Giving. WebelievethateveryChristian,asastewardofthatportionofGod swealth entrustedtohim,isobligatedtofinanciallysupporthislocalchurch.we believethatgodhasestablishedthetitheasabasisforgiving,butthatevery Christianshouldalsogiveotherofferingssacrificiallyandcheerfully tothesupportofthechurch,thereliefofthoseinneed,andthespreadofthe Gospel.WebelievethataChristianrelinquishesallrightstodirecttheuseof histitheorofferingoncethegifthasbeenmade.(genesis14:20;proverbs 3:9 10;Acts4:34 37;ICorinthians16:2;IICorinthians9:6 7;Galatians6:6; Ephesians4:28;ITimothy5:17 18;IJohn3:17)

6 (W) Affiliations. ThischurchwillalwaysbeanautonomousBaptistchurchandwillnotbe affiliatedwithanyreligiousbodies,conventions,orassociations(baptistor otherwise)whichareknownorbelievedtobeembracingorleaningtoward anyformofmodernism,apostasy,newevangelicalism,ecumenical evangelism,charismaticortonguesmovement,oranyothercompromiseof thefundamentaltruthsofgod sword.thischurchwillnotsupportinany wayanyorganizationordenominationthathasbecomeapostateorwhich supportsapostasyorcompromiseswithapostasy.asanewtestament church,membersarefreetogovernthemselveswithout ecclesiasticalinterferenceandwill,astheholyspiritleads,cooperatewith otherchurches,missions,andinstitutionswhicharealsofunctioningin submissiontotheauthorityofthelordjesuschristandtheholyscriptures. CHURCH COVENANT Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger, to abstain from the sale of, and us of destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, and to secure reconciliation without delay. We pledge, moreover, that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God s Holy Word.