What We Believe

This body of Christians originated early in the eighteenth century the church being a natural outgrowth of the Pietistic movement following the Reformation.

1. Firmly accepts and teaches the fundamental evangelical doctrines of 

• the  inspiration  of  the  Bible 

• the personality of the Holy Spirit

• the virgin birth

• the deity of Christ

• the sin-pardoning value of his atonement

• his resurrection from the tomb, ascension and personal and visible return and 

• the resurrection, both of the just and unjust (John 5:28, 29; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) 

2. Observes the  following New Testament rites:

• Baptism of penitent believers by trine immersion  for the  remission of sins (Matt. 28: 19; Acts 2: 38)

• feet-washing (John 13:1-20;  1  Tim.  5:10) 

• love feast  (Luke  22:20;  John 13: 4;  1 Cor. 11:17-34; Jude 12)

• communion (Matt. 26: 26-30)

• the Christian salutation (Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:37)

• proper appearance in worship (1 Cor. 11:2-16) 

• the anointing for healing in the name of the Lord (James 5:13-18; Mark 6:13) 

• laying on of hands (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14)

      These rites are representative of spiritual facts which obtain in the lives of true

      believers, and as such are essential factors in the development of the Christian life

3.  Emphasizes:

• daily devotion for the individual, and family worship for the home (Eph. 6: 18-20; Philippians. 4:8, 9)

• stewardship of time, talents and money (Matt. 25:14-30)

• taking care of the fatherless, widows, poor, sick and aged (Acts 6:1-7)

4. Opposes on Scriptural grounds: 

• War and the taking of human life (Matt. 5:21-26, 43, 44; Rom. 12:19-21; Isa. 53:7-12)

• violence in personal and industrial  controversy (Matt 7: 12; Rom. 13: 8-10) 

• intemperance in all things (Titus 2: 2; Gal, 5: 19-26; Eph. 5: .18) 

• going to law, especially against our Christian brethren (1 Cor. 6:1-9)

• divorce and remarriage, except  for the one Scriptural reason (Matt 19:9) 

• every form of oath (Matt. 5: 33-37; James 5:12) 

• membership in secret oath-bound societies (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

• games of chance and sinful amusements (1 Thess. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 12:17) 

• extravagant and immodest dress (1 Tim. 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-6)

5.   Labors  earnestly,  in harmony with the Great Commission

• for the evangelization of the world

• for the conversion of men to Jesus Christ

• for the realization of the life of Jesus Christ in every believer (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16; 2 Cor. 3:18)

6. Maintains the New Testament as its only creed, in harmony with which the above brief doctrinal statement is made.