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Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and 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 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 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 secret devotion, to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of 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 in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant, and the principles of God’s Word.
II. HOLY SCRIPTURE
We believe that holy men of God wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The scriptures are perfect, holy, and true tot he very jot and tittle, having no admixture of error.
The Scriptures are our only infallible rule of faith and practice. We strive to bring every deed, doctrine, and thought into conformity to them. They are the inspired, complete, final revelation of God to man, and they will be preserved forever.
A. By the “Holy Scriptures” we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
B. By “Inspiration” we mean that the books were supernaturally and verbally given by God—every word representing the very mind of the Spirit.
C. By “Preservation” we mean that God has promised not one jot or tittle of the Holy Scriptures shall pass or be lost.
In spite of the recent flood of translations, we accept the original King James Authorized 1611 version of the Bible as God’s fulfillment of His promise of preservation to us as English speaking Christians.
We believe this version to be an accurate translation of the pure line of manuscripts being the Masoretic Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Byzantine (Textus Recptus, Majority Text) manuscripts of the Greek New Testament.
References: II Timothy 3: 15-17; Romans 15:4; II Peter 3:16; I Peter 1:24-25; Isaiah 8:20; II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 28:23; Jeremiah 8:9; Luke 16:29; II Timothy 3:16; Matthew 22:29; Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 1:1; Hebrews 4:12; Psalms 12:6-7; Matthew 24:35; Luke 24 27; I John 5:11; Psalms 138:2; II Corinthians 2:17; Romans 3:2,10; Galatians 1:8-9; Isaiah 40:7-8; Revelation 3:10; Proverbs 30: 5-6; Psalms 119:9; Psalms 119:105; Revelation 22:18-19.
III. GOD’S ATTRIBUTES
Although God is a being absolutely removed from any shadow of composition. He is represented in scripture as possessed of diverse attributes that, though seemingly different from His essence, are in reality constitutive of His nature.
God s eternal, infinite, immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, perfectly wise, holy righteous, good, and just. He has life of and in himself. He is the all-sufficient and blessed God in whom all perfection lies.
References: Job 22;21; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Daniel 11:32; I Corinthians 1:21; Job 23:13; Ephesians 3:20; Job 11:7; II Peter 3:8; Daniel 7:13; Isaiah 43:10; Psalms 102:27; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 3:11; Psalms 83:18; Hebrews 1:3; Isaiah 66:1; Psalms 139:23-24; Romans 11:36; I Timothy 1:11; Hebrews 13:20; Psalms 17:15; Deuteronomy 3:24.
IV. THE INCARNATION
The Son of God, in the fullness of time, took upon Himself man’s nature with all the properties and infirmities. Yet without sin, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Both the divine and human nature are inseparably joined in the person of Christ. These nature remain unmixed, and without confusion – which is very God and man, yet Jesus Christ, the only mediation between God and man.
References: Galatians 4:4; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 16:28; Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; John 13:3; John 17:18; Luke 1:27, 31; Hebrews 1:10-12; I Timothy 2:5; John 1:14; Matthew 1:20; John 5:20; I Timothy 3:16.
V. THE TRUE GOD
A. THE ESSENCE OF GOD: God is the most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions. He subsists in and of Himself and is dependent upon one other.
B. THE UNITY OF GOD: We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God whose name is Jehovah. He is the God of creation and the only God to be worshipped, honored and loved. He is the great “I AM” of eternity and beside Him there is no other.
C. THE HOLY TRINITY: We believe that in this divine and infinite being or unity of the Godhead, there are three persons – the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are one being, power, entity, and will – each having the whole divine essence undivided. These three divine persons are equal in every divine perfection executing distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
1. We believe God the Father is none, neither being begotten, nor proceeding of, nor from any other. He is the Father, having begotten Christ in eternity. He is the loving Father of all who, by faith in Jesus Christ, are adopted into His family.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. He is the Son, by eternal generation in eternity. We believe in His incarnation, sinless life and substitutionary death. We believe He is coequal and co-eterenal with the Father, having all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. As a son, He is in perfect submission to the Father in the great work of redemption, though their wills are eternally undivided.
3. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person eternally proceeding from God the Father and God the Son. He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, being of the same divine essence. Being God, He is a personality and not just an influence. Those attributes of personality and self determination are shown in the Scriptures, having His part in the creation and the great work of redemption. References: ESSENCE – Psalms 19:1; Acts 14:16; Romans 1:20-21; Romans 2:14-15; James 2:19; Psalms 14:1; Romans 1:28; Isaiah 53:11; I Kings 8:27; Genesis 1:1; John 1:18. UNITY – Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 53:11; I Kings 8:27; Genesis 1:1. TRINITY – Colossians 2:9; Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8; Colossians 1:15; Matthew 3:16-17; Genesis 11:7; II Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 3:22; I John 5:7; I Timothy 3:16.
VI. GOD’S DECREES
God hath from eternity freely and unchangeably created in Himself all things that are and will come to pass. God in decreeing to allow sin is in no way held chargeable for it. He neither approved, fellowshipped, encouraged, nor authored sin. God’s decrees do no violence to the creatures will: but rather display His wisdom in disposing all second causes to the accomplishing of His designs.
VII. GOD’S ATTRIBUTES
Although God is a being absolutely removed from any shadow of composition. HE is represented in Scripture as possessed of diverse attributes that, though seemingly different from His essence, are in reality constitutive of His nature.
God is eternal, infinite, immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, perfectly wise, holy righteous, good, and just. He has life of and in Himself. He is the all sufficient and blessed God in whom all perfection lies.
References: Job 22:21; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Daniel 11:32; I Corinthians 1:21; Job 23:13; Ephesians 3:20; Job 11:7; II Peter 3:8; Daniel 7:13; Isaiah 43:10; Psalms 102:27; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 3:11; Psalms 83:18; Hebrews 1:3; Isaiah 66:1; Psalms 139: 23-24; Romans 11:36; I Timothy 1:11; Hebrews 13:20; Psalms 17:15; Deuteronomy 3:24.
VIII. THE INCARNATION
The Son of God, in the fullness of time, took upon Himself man’s nature with all the properties and infirmities. Yet without sin, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Both the divine and human nature are inseparably joined in the person of Christ. These natures remain unmixed, and without confusion – which is very God and very man, yet one – Jesus Christ, the only mediation between God and man.
References: Galatians 4:4; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 16:28; Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; John 13:3; John 17:18; Luke 1:27, 31; Hebrews 1:10-12; I Timothy 2:5; John 1:14; Matthew 1:20; John 5:20; I Timothy 3:16.
IX. GOD’S DECREES
God hath from eternity freely and unchangeably created in Himself all things that are and will come to pass. God in decreeing to allow sin is in no way held chargeable for it. He neither approved, fellowshipped, encouraged nor authored sin. God’s decrees do no violence to the creatures will: but rather display His wisdom in disposing all second causes to the accomplishing of His designs.
References: Acts 2:23; Psalms 76:10; I Corinthians 2:8; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:9; Philippians 2:13; Isaiah 46:9-10; Matthew 6:10; Deuteronomy 29:29;
Acts 4:27-28; Psalms 89:7; II Timothy 1:9.
X. THE TRUE GOD
A. THE ESSENCE OF GOD: God is the most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions. He subsists in and of Himself and is dependent upon one other.
B. THE UNITY OF GOD: We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God whose name is Jehovah. He is the God of creation and the only God to be worshipped, honored and loved. He is the great “I AM” of eternity and beside Him there is no other.
C. THE HOLY TRINITY: We believe that in this divine and infinite being or unity of the Godhead, there are three persons – the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are one being, power, entity, and will – each having the whole divine essence undivided. These three divine persons are equal in every divine perfection executing distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
1. We believe God the Father is none, neither being begotten, nor proceeding of, nor from any other. He is the Father, having begotten Christ in eternity. He is the loving Father of all who, by faith in Jesus Christ, are adopted into His family.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. He is the Son, by eternal generation in eternity. We believe in His incarnation, sinless life and substitutionary death. We believe He is coequal and co-eternal with the Father, having all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. As a son, He is in perfect submission to the Father in the great work of redemption, though their wills are eternally undivided.
3. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person eternally proceeding from God the Father and God the Son. He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, being of the same divine essence. Being God, He is a personality and not just an influence. Those attributes of personality and self determination are shown in the Scriptures, having His part in the creation and the great work of redemption. References: ESSENCE – Psalms 19:1; Acts 14:16; Romans 1:20-21; Romans 2:14-15; James 2:19; Psalms 14:1; Romans 1:28; Isaiah 53:11; I Kings 8:27; Genesis 1:1; John 1:18. UNITY – Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 53:11; I Kings 8:27; Genesis 1:1. TRINITY – Colossians 2:9; Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8; Colossians 1:15; Matthew 3:16-17; Genesis 11:7; II Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 3:22; I John 5:7; I Timothy 3:16.
XI. CREATION
We believe in one God “who worketh all in all.” Him we confess as the creator of all things, visible and invisible, who in six days created and prepared “heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that therein.” We further believe that this God still governs and preserves the same, with all His works, through His wisdom, His might, and the “work of His power.” When He had ordained and prepared each of them, they were right and good according to their nature, being, and quality. The Genesis account of creation is to be taken literally and not allegorically or figuratively. Man’s creation was not a mater of evolution or evolutionary change of created kinds or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. All animal and vegetable life was made directly; with God’s established law that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” Beside the laws written in their hearts, Adam and Eve received a command not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. While this was kept, they were in a happy communion with their Creator.
XII. OF SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors. Through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew one third of the angelic host with him. He is now the malignant prince and power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religion, and the chief power behind the present apostasy, the Lord of the anti-Christ, the great dragon, and the old serpent called the devil. He is too resisted by all those who name the name of Christ, resolving not to give place to him. His final defeat will be by the hands of God’s Son, with the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
References: Psalms 78:49; Jude 6; Matthew 8:28; Revelation 12:9-10; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; I Peter 5:8; Matthew 13;39; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2:14; Matthew 25:41; Isaiah 14:12-20; II Corinthians 4:4; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Revelation 20:7-10; Romans 16:20.
XIII. THE ANGELS
We believe that the elect angels of the Lord are ministering spirits, sent forth for the good of those that shall be the heirs of salvation. Those non-elect angels, being left tot heir own free will, chose to follow Lucifer (The cherub that covereth); therefore, they are to face impending damnation along with Satan at a time appointed by God. Angels are to bring glory unto God as His creatures, which are clearly set forth in the Scriptures.
References: Exodus 23:20; Luke 1:13; Luke 2:10; Acts 27:23; Matthew 13:40-41; Acts 10:7; I Timothy 5:21; I Peter 1:12; II Peter 2:4; Luke 16:22; Hebrews 1:14; Jude 6; Hebrews 13:2; Revelation 12:4, 9.
XIV. THE FALL
We believe that in the beginning God made all things of nothing into good, and He created man after His own image and likeness in righteousness and holiness of truth. Man did not long abide in this honor because Satan used the subtlety of the serpent to seduce and deceive Eve. She invited Adam, who without any compulsion, did willingly transgress and disobey the Word of God, which was to abstain and shun the forbidden fruit. God (in His holy and wise counsel) permitted the fall having purposed it to His own glory. All mankind fell and became altogether dead in sin and subject to the eternal wrath of God; both by original and actual corruption, and wholly defiled in all the faculties, in soul, spirit, and body, are set forth in Holy Writ. Therefore, mankind is conceived in sin, being by nature the children of wrath, the servants of sin, and the subjects of spiritual, temporal and eternal death, except the Lord Jesus Christ sets them free. Man’s total depravity is not only seen in degree, but extent. The natural man is not depraved in spots, but the whole of his being is depraved. The carnal mind is enmity against God, and the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
By “inability” we mean that man is not able to come to Christ or believe in Christ of or in himself. Also, that the will is subject to the mind and the heart and is free only in the sense that it does what it desires, which is an aversion to God. We believe that because of man’s lifeless condition, he is unable to approach God or change his position (unregenerate) with God, as it says in Jeremiah 13:23, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do well, that are accustomed to evil.”
By “responsibility” we mean that man us responsible in regards to personal repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mankind is commanded to repent and believe the Gospel. Mankind is invited to approach Christ and permission to come is given to whosoever will, let Him come. Man’s ability to come to Christ is not frustrated by his responsibility, because God did not author nor promote man’s sinful nature, therefore, man cannot blame God for his own willful rejection of Jesus Christ.
References: Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:13; Ephesians 4:24; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 3:1-5; II Corinthians 11:3; John 8:44; I Timothy 2:14; Galatians 3:22; Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 5:12, 18, 19; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4; James 1:14, 15; Romans 8:7; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 1:13; Romans 9:16; John 6:44, 65; Mark 16:16; Acts 17:30; Revelation 22:17.
XV. THE LAW
The intolerable burden of the Mosaic law, with all its shadows and types, was brought to an end in Christ and removed from the midst of His people. Namely, the sacerdotal office together with temple, altar, sacrifices, and whatever was typically connected with the sacerdotal office. Then, the royal office and whatever adhered to that office, as kingdom, sword, punishment agrreable to the law, war, and in one word, all that which typically looked to Christ’s person, function, or office and was a shadow and figure of Him.
The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ; moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. The law is not sinful. We would not have known sin, but by the law, for the lust would not have been known. Nevertheless, the law has said, “Thou shalt not covet.” That the works of the law do not justify a man, is evident; but after conversion the law becomes the Christian’s delight and mediation.
References: Acts 15:10; II Croatians 3:11, 14; Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 8:4, 5; Hebrews 10: 1; Isaiah 2:4; Romans 5:20; Romans 6:14-17; Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:21-25; Exodus 16:28; Exodus 20-24; Romans 3:20.
XVI. DOCTRINES OF GRACE
A.FOREKNOWLEDE: It is our candid judgment that there is hardly any doctrine more generally or more woefully misunderstood than this wonderful doctrine. It is a divine attribute belonging to the nature of God.
Unlike election and predestination, which are divine acts that follow, foreknowledge (depending on the context) we can mean prescience or foresight. The other usage is closely connected with the words foreordain and foreordination. Regarding persons, foreknowledge signifies favor, affection, and special cognition.
God, according to His determinate counsel and good pleasure, foreknowledge is eternal and immutable, whether it is of a person or a nation.
Foreknowledge goes beyond the definition and properties of omniscience.
References: Romans 8:29, 30; Romans 11:2; II Peter 3:17; I Peter 1:20; I Peter 1:2; Jeremiah 1:5; Amos 3:2; Psalms 1:6; Matthew 7:23; John 10:14; I Corinthians 8:3; II Timothy 2:19; Acts 13:48.
B.ELECTION: Election is God’s choice of some persons unto everlasting lie, not
because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ, in consequence of which choice they are called, justified, and glorified according to the irreprehensible reason of His own free will.
Election is unto salvation. It is denied that there has been a Divine Choice of nation’s privileges or even individuals being chosen to a particular service; but we also affirm that the Scriptures teach an election of individuals to everlasting life.
References: Romans 11:5,6; John 6:37; Mark 13:20; Ephesians 1:4; II Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:3; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 9:18; I Corinthians 1:29; Acts 13:48; I Thessalonians 4:7; I Peter 1:2; II Peter 1:10; John 17:2, 6; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; II Timothy 2:10; Revelation 17:14; I Peter 5:10; Jude 1; Titus 1:2; I John 2:25; II Peter 3:9.
C. PREDESTINATION: Predestination is the purpose of God from eternity regarding future events and persons. Predestination is the eternal determination or purpose of the Divine Will. Providence is the execution of His Divine Will. God predestines His people to be conformed to the image of His dear Son that we may be holy and adopted children, peculiar unto Himself.
References: Romans 8:29, 30; Ephesians 1:5, 11; I John 3:1-3; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:12; John 17:24; I Peter 2:9.
D.BLOOD REDEMPTION: Although the sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood offered up unto God His Father upon the cross was a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savor and that God in Him is well pleased, it does not reconcile God unto us, rather it reconciles the world (elect) unto Himself – sinners being at enmity and hatred toward God. Christ was delivered to death for our sins, and through His blood we have remission of our sins. We are the recipients of redemption, not by the blood of bulls and goats, or by the little worth of gold and silver, but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish or spot. He cancelled the handwriting of ordinances and the law of commandments. He spoiled principalities and powers, made a show of them openly and destroyed he that had the power of death, which is the devil.
Christ being the propitiation and holy sacrifice for our sins suffered in the sinner’s stead, satisfied the law and appeased the Father’s wrath toward those for whom our Lord died.
Christ’s vicarious sacrifice is efficacious and secures the salvation of all whom the Father foreknew, giving them all to the Son (no more and no less). We contend that when Christ died, he did so with the sinner in view, and that the damned in hell had no effectual atonement. Christ’s blood is not limited, for it secures the salvation of all for whom it was designed. Because of God’s sovereignty, no atonement was made for the devil or fallen angels. However, the Son’s expiatory sacrifice as full payment for depraved, guilty transgressors were accepted by the Father. After our Savior was taken down form the accursed tree, He was buried and arose bodily the third day and He is now seated upon the right hand of the Father in Heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all sufficient Savior.
References: Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:11-15; Isaiah 53:10-12; Romans 4:25; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:14,15; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 9:22; John 10: 11-18; Romans 6:3-36; Ephesians 2:7; I Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:28; I Corinthians 15: 3-6; Ephesians 2: 12-16; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 13:20; John 3:1; Psalms 49: 7,8; Hebrews 7:27; I Peter 1: 2, 18, 19; Revelation 5:9; Hebrews 13:12
E. CALLING – EFFECTUAL AND GENERAL: Thos whom God has chosen unto eternal life, HE is pleased in His appointed time, to call His elect by His word and Spirit, out of the at state of sin and death, in which they are by nature children of wrath. To bring His elect to salvation through the Lord savingly to understand the things of God, and He takes away their hearts of stone, giving them hearts of flesh. The elect are no brought against their volition (will), but by changing the mind, the heart, and the governing disposition of the soul they become willing.
There is a General Call: We believe that many are called, but few are chosen. Men resist this sincere call of the gospel given by God, yet this external call which to millions of hearers lacks the efficacious regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.
There is an Effectual Call: The effectual call of the Holy Spirit, which is internal, is the call that secures salvation, and is in every case made in the pursuance of God’s eternal purpose.
References: Romans 8:30; Romans 1:7; Romans 9:1-33; I Corinthians 1:2. 24. 26; Romans 8:28; II Peter 1:10; John 10:27-28; I Thessalonians 1:5; John 5:25, 28; II Peter 1:10; II Timothy 2: 24-26; II Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:1-5; Acts 26:18; Psalms 110:3; I Corinthians 2:14; John 6:44-45, 65; John 3:8; Proverbs 1:24; Matthew 22:14; Acts7:51; I Peter 5:10; Hebrews 9:15.
F. REGENERATION: Regeneration is a work and accomplishment of the Holy Spirit upon a sinner. It is a renovation of the mind and soul and an illumination of the truth, bringing with it a change of the will and of the carnal desires and lust.
Regeneration is necessary because of the depravity of the human nature, which is in moral darkness and is spiritual blindness. Therefore, to be divinely regenerated is to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. The evidence of this appears in the holy fruit of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
Repentance and faith are mutually inclusive and are inseparable graces. References: Galatians 5:17; I John 4:7; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:9-10; Romans 12:2; John 3:1-8; Hebrews 8:10; I Peter 1:3, 23; James 1:18; John 1:12-13; Ezekiel 36:26.
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