DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

Consistent with our Protestant heritage and Calvinistic persuasion, we affirm our faith in certain basics of Christian doctrine as a guide for ourselves. The following statements serve as a minimal expression of what we believe a true Christian faith is based upon and should espouse.

1. We believe the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and that all people should study them diligently. Subordinate to the Scriptures are all created standards and statements of men.

2. We believe in one God, infinitely perfect, the Creator of all things, who is eternally existent in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

3. We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

4. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried, that He arose from the dead on the third day thereafter, that after His resurrection He was seen and handled of men, and that He ascended into heaven where, on the right hand of the Majesty on high, He is now our High Priest and advocate.

5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit which is to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, to convict men of sin, to regenerate the believing sinner, and to indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the regenerate unto Godly living and service. We further believe that the Holy Spirit also works in the Body of Christ through His grace given to the members of the body of believers by means of His sovereign bestowment. We believe that the more spectacular gifts were withdrawn when the canon of Scripture was closed. We also respect those brethren who hold the view that these same gifts are still among us today. We believe that all spiritual gifts are subject in function to the regulations established in Holy Scripture.

6. We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin, and as a consequence is lost, and that only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

7. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and that only such as receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become the children of God. We believe that a virtuous life is the effect of salvation, not its cause, and that salvation in Christ provides eternal security for the believer.

8. We believe that Christ is both Lord and Head of the church. We believe in one true church universal both, visible and invisible, composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and united together in the one body of Christ of which He is head.

9. We believe that those who are thus members of the true church are eligible for membership in the local church, and that every local church has the right under Christ and subject to His Word, to decide and govern its own affairs.

10. We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during this present age. With reference to baptism, we believe it is proper to baptize by sprinkling, effusion, or immersion.

11. We believe in the personal, imminent, and premillenial return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that the blessed hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.

12. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead; of the believers to everlasting blessedness and joy with their Lord, and of the unbelievers, to judgment and everlasting punishment.

A NONDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH

Why we are not affiliated with the Congregational church denomination or United Church of Christ:

The Congregational Church name was, many years ago, a proud and historic part of the Christian church.  Congregationalists were never known for their strict adherence to orthodox doctrine, but they were always considered to be within the pale of Christian orthodoxy.  However, after the Congregational churches became part of the United Church of Christ (UCC) about fifty years ago, things began to change until, at the present time, it is no longer clear that the UCC/Congregational denomination believes in many of the foundational doctrines of the historic orthodox Christian faith.  Thus, in 1966, our church voted to withdraw from the UCC, because of their doctrinal position, as they lean toward a “Social Gospel.”  We believe that the UCC holds many views and takes many positions that are in opposition to Bible.