Distinctives
The doctrines listed below in "distinctives" are secondary beliefs that we nonetheless do teach and proclaim. We recognize that not all Christians agree on all of these but we do see them as important and true as we understand the Scriptures. Complete agreement upon these matters is not required for the sake of membership, but it should be known that we will preach, teach, and counsel in accordance with these distinctives. We should all work humbly and with a teachable spirit toward doctrinal unity.
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We believe in the importance of an independent and autonomous local church, free from any hierarchy of individuals or organizations.
We do not attempt to make the Bible "relevant" by marketing, manipulation, entertainment, worldly methods, or carnal schemes. We are not emulating Hollywood by attempting to "put on a good show".
We are not a "charismatic church".
We are baptistic.
We do celebrate an open communion for baptized believers.
We believe that there are several good English translations of the Bible available.
The music with which we worship God is chosen to reflect His holiness. We ask not, "What do we like?" but, "What does God seek in worship?", since worship is primarily for God, not man. We seek to use songs that are doctrinally sound and God-centered in their emphases. We believe congregational music should teach and admonish, and not merely entertain. We sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, combining both time-tested hymns with more recently written songs that are biblically accurate.
We teach that the biblical terms "pastor", "overseer", and "elder" are effectively synonymous.
We do teach complementarianism.
We do not teach or promote head coverings for women.
We do not employ an "altar call" method of evangelism.
We love the reformed "doctrines of grace" and are eager to give all glory to the Triune God alone for salvation (Psalm 3:8, Jonah 2:9, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 7:10, 19:1)
-Because of the fall in Genesis 3, all men are now by nature dead in sin, separated from God, and both unwilling and unable to come to Him. In their unregenerate state they hate God, suppress the truth, and are affected in every part by the fall. (Ephesians 2:1-10,
Romans 1:18, 3:10-18, 8:7, John 3:19-20, 6:44,65, 1 Corinthians 2:14)
-The Father chose a people before the foundation of the world and gave them to Christ. (Matthew 22:14, Mark 13:20, John 15:16, 19,
Ephesians 1:4-5, John 17:2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24, Acts 13:48, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2:10, Revelation 17:14)
-Christ Jesus came down and fully atoned for His bride with an actual, not potential, atonement. (Matthew 20:28, 26:28, Ephesians 5:25,
John 19:30, 17:9, Galatians 3:13, Romans 8:33-34, Revelation 5:9)
-The Holy Spirit powerfully calls these to life (regeneration) and applies Christ's merit to them and they come willingly in repentance and faith. (John 3:3-8, 6:37, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 1:6, 8:28-30)
-These are preserved by God and persevere by God's help. (Jude 1, 24, Philippians 2:12-13, John 6:37-40, Romans 8:28-39)
From eternity past to eternity future all glory belongs to the Triune God. God is exalted, man is humbled, and grace is amazing!
A further word: none of these doctrines cancel out the many scriptures that stress man's responsibility to repent and believe the gospel. We affirm both God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in salvation. We offer the gospel freely to all men and trust God for His results.