1. The BIBLE alone is the inspired Word of God, and the only authoritative rule for faith and practice. Scripture alone is able to make a man wise unto salvation; and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2. GOD is sovereign in creation, providence and salvation.
3. JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God, willingly died as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of His people.
4. At the time of salvation, all Christians receive the indwelling and fullness of the HOLY SPIRIT, and are baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ. As he lives by the power of the Spirit, the believer is enabled to live a godly life in this present evil world.
5. All MANKIND are born in a state of total sinful depravity. Therefore, no person has the will or the ability to come to God in his own strength.
6. SALVATION cannot be merited by our 'good works' but is entirely a gift of God's free grace. We are accounted righteous before God, only by the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith and not for our own works and deservings. We maintain that in the matter of our justification, our own goodness and holiness have nothing whatever to do. Salvation, once received, cannot be lost.
7. GOOD WORKS, which follow after justification, spring necessarily out of a true and living faith. We maintain that a living faith may be as evidently discerned by the good works which spring from it as a tree is discerned by its fruit; and that, consequently, the man in whom no good works and holiness can be seen is not yet a converted man. God requires man to repent of his sins, and commit himself by faith to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. All true believers will persevere in the faith, and in a holy lifestyle God preserving them.
8. In ETERNITY the saved shall enjoy everlasting life and the lost shall suffer everlasting punishment.
9. The CHURCH consists of all who are chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and born again by the Holy Spirit.
We hold and teach that the above doctrines are the primary and principal beliefs in true Christianity. We maintain that other points of doctrine, however important and valuable they are in their due place are by comparison, things of secondary importance. On these secondary issues, true Christians may disagree. As had been said:
"In essentials, UNITY.
In non-essentials, DIVERSITY.
In all things, CHARITY."
[J. C. Ryle]
Philippians 3:15-16 … Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 … Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
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