Our Beliefs

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. That it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. That it reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be evaluated.

2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Tim 3:15; Prov 30:5-6; Rom 2:12; 1 John 4:1; Psalm 119; Psalm 19; Psalm 1; John 10:35; Matt 5:17-19

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. That he is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. That in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternally existing persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit who are equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father, yet all three distinct persons are one in being, without any confusion or mixture of their persons.

John 4:24; Ps 83:18; Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Ps 147:5; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet 1:15-16; Rev 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev 4:11; Matt 10:37; Jer 2:12-13; Matt 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Phil 2:5-6; Eph 2:18; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4-5

We believe that in the beginning God made man in His image, male and female He created them. Therein Adam and Eve alike bore the divine image, as do all of their descendants. That all who bear this image are worthy of protection, respect, and dignity and that while sin may mar this image, it persists through our fallen nature. We deny that any human is to be deprived of the rights, dignity, and protection that should be afforded them as image bearers, regardless of their age, development, ethnicity, sex, mental capacity, socioeconomic status, dependency, or state of alienation from God. That in Christ as those now reconciled with God, none of these distinctives provides any grounds upon which the gift of salvation is earned, nor provides any legitimate grounds for division within Christ’s Church.

Gen 1:27; Gen 5:1-2; Gen 9:5-6; James 2:1-7; Romans 2:11; James 3:9-10; Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 3:11; Eph 2:13-17; Rev 5:9-10; Col 1:20-22

We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary sin fell from that holy and happy state. In consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice. Being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, all are now naturally inclined to sin and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

Gen 1:27; Gen 1:31; Eccl 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen 2:16-17; Gen 3:6-24; Rom 5:12; Rom 5:15-19; Ps 51:5; Rom 8:7; Isa 53:6; Gen 6:12; Rom 3:9-18; Eph 2:1-3; Rom 1:18, 32; Rom 2:1-16; Gal 3:10; Matt 20:15; Ezek 18:19-20; Rom 1:20; Rom 3:19; Gal 3:2

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He, by the appointment of the Father, was born of the virgin Mary and freely took upon human nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and made a full atonement for our sins by his substitutionary death on the cross, satisfying the righteous wrath of God. Having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven and intercedes on our behalf. Being truly God and becoming truly man by his incarnation, he is in every way qualified to be the only suitable, compassionate, and all- sufficient Savior.

Eph 2:3; Matt 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Heb 4:14; Heb 12:24; Phil 2:9, 14; 2 Cor 5:21; Isa 42:21; Phil 2:8; Gal 4:4-5; Rom 3:21; Isa 53:4-5; Matt 20:28; Rom 4:25; Rom 3:21-26; 1 John 2:3; 1 Cor 15:1-3; Heb 9:13-15; Heb 1:8; Heb 1:3; Col 3:1-4; Heb 7:25; Col 2:18; Heb 7:26; Ps 89:19; Ps 34:1-22

We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in Him is Justification. That Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness. That it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. By virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God. That it brings us into a state of peace and favor with God as those now declared righteous in His sight and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

John 1:16; Eph 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11-12; Rom 5:1-2; Rom 5:9; Zech 13:1; Matt 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Pet 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom 5:21; Rom 4:4-5; Rom 6:23; Phil 3:7-9; Rom 5:19; Rom 3:24- 26; Rom 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom 5:3; Rom 5:11; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Matt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:8

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. That it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a sincere, penitent, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel.

Isa 55:1; Rev 22:17; Rom 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Rom 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matt 23:37; Rom 9:32; Prov 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt 11:20; Luke 10:27; 2 Thess 1:8

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. That regeneration consists in giving new, godly desires to the mind and heart. That it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. That it precedes conversion and its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.

John 3:3; John 3:6-7; 1 Cor 3:14; Rev 14:3; Rev 21:27; 2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28-29; Rom 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; Jas 1:16-18; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:13; 1 Pet 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:9-11; Eph 5:9; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:16-23; Eph 3:14-21; Matt 3:8-10; Matt 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18; Eph 2:1-10

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. Whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine sorrow, confession, and requests for mercy. At the same time, we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.

Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; Jas 4:7-10; 2 Cor 7:11; 1 Cor 10:12-13; Ps 51:1-19; Rom 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb 4:14; Ps 2:6; Heb 1:8; Heb 7:25; 2 Tim 1:12

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God decided before the foundations of the world wherein God unconditionally predestines those he has foreknown unto salvation. That being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it includes all the means necessary to achieve the ends of God’s purposes. That it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable. That it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy. That it encourages and strengthens the greatest possible exercise of human responsibility and evangelism. That it may be confirmed by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel. That it is the foundation of Christian assurance and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

2 Tim 1:8-9; Eph 1:3-14; 1 Pet 1:1-2; Rom 11:5-6; John 15:16; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex 33:18-19; Matt 20:15; Eph 1:11; Rom 9:23-24; Jer 31:3; Rom 11:28- 29; Jas 1:17-18; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 11:32-36; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Rom 3:27; Rom 4:16; Col 3:12; 1 Cor 3:5-7; 1 Cor 15:10; 1 Pet 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Cor 9:22; Rom 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 1 Thess 1:4-10; Isa 42:16; Rom 11:29; 2 Pet 1:10-11; Phil 3:12; Heb 6:11

We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness. That it is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter. That the Spirit uses the consistent and regular Means of Grace to achieve this work – especially, the word of God, the oversight and fellowship of the local church, self- examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.

1 Thess 4:3; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Cor 13:10; Phil 3:12-16; 1 John 2:29; Rom 8:5; Eph 1:4; Prov 4:18; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 6:1; 2 Pet 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil 1:9-11; Eph 1:13-14; Phil 2:12-13; Eph 4:11-12; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt 26:41; Eph 6:18; Eph 4:30

We believe that all genuine Christians endure to the end. That their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial, false “Christians.” That a special Providence watches over their welfare and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom 8:28; Matt 6:30-33; Jer 32:40; Ps 121:3; Ps 91:11-12; Phil 1:6; Phil 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb 1:14; 2 Kgs 6:16; Heb 13:5; 1 John 4:4

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government. That it is holy, just, and good and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin. To deliver them from this love of sin and to restore them through a Mediator to sincere obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

Rom 3:31; Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 7:12; Rom 7:7, 14-22; Gal 3:21; Ps 119:1-176; Rom 8:7-8; Josh 24:19; Jer 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom 8:2-4; Rom 10:4; 1 Tim 1:5; Heb 8:10; Jude 20-21

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word. That its only scriptural officers are Elders (also called Pastors or Overseers), and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

1 Cor 1:1-3; Matt 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; 1 Cor 4:17; 1 Cor 14:23; 1 Tim 3:5; Acts 2:41- 42; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 5:12-13; 1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 3:6; Rom 16:17-20; 1 Cor 11:23-24; Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor 2:17; 1 Cor 4:17; Matt 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1 John 14:21; 1 Thess 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:7; 1 Cor 14:12; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. To show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. That it is a pre-requisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and the cup, are to commemorate together the dying love and covenantal presence of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination. These ordinances belong to the gathered church and mark off believers from unbelievers and make the church visible to the world.

Acts 8:36-39; Matt 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Gal 3:26-28; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41- 42; 1 Cor 11:26; Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor 11:28; 1 Cor 5:1-8; 1 Cor 11:17-32; John 6:26

We believe that the Scriptures command Christians to regularly assemble together for corporate worship wherein the ordinances, preaching, prayers, reading of Scripture, and the singing of God’s people may regularly occur. That the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is a Christian institution which should include corporate worship with the local church to commemorate the resurrection of Christ and anticipate the rest of the New Creation. Activities conducted on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with a Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Christ.

Acts 20:7; Gen 2:3; Col 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Ex 20:8; Rev 1:10; Ps 118:15, 24; Isa 58:13-14; Isa 56:2-8; Heb 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Lev 19:30; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3; Ps 26:8; Ps 87:3; Heb 4:3-11; Col 3:16; Rom 14:5-6; Heb 12:18-24

We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. That governing officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. As people in the world, but not of it, God’s people should never confuse their ultimate allegiance to their heavenly citizenship with their earthly citizenship.

Rom 13:1-7; Deut 16:18; 2 Sam 23:3; Ex 18:23; Jer 30:21; Matt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13; 1 Tim 2:1-4; Acts 5:29; Matt 28:1-20; Dan 3:15-18; Dan 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt 23:10; Rom 14:4; Rev 19:16; Ps 72:11; Ps 2:1-12; Rom 14:9-13; Eph 2:19; Phil 3:20; John 18:36

We believe that human sexuality and gender is a gift from God. That “male” and “female” display the diversity, creativity, and fullness of the image of God. That despite sin’s ruinous effects on creation which may lead to a confusion in identity and desires, our identity as “male” or “female” are not socially constructed identities, but are given by God and to be embraced, displayed, and participated in without confusion or ambiguity. That the only parameters where the gift of sexual union is to be enjoyed is within the confines of the lifetime covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. That while Christians should be honest about their struggles with temptation, they never should embrace nor identify themselves with that sinful temptation. That there are distinct and complementary roles for men and women to fulfill in God’s purposes in the world, the family, and the church. That though marriage and the consummate sexual union therein is a blessed gift from God, those gifts are not necessary to participate in for a Christian to live a full and obedient life in Christ.

Gen 1:26-30; Gen 2:18-25; Gen 3:16-19; Gen 3:20; Rom 8:19-23; 1 Cor 11:3-16; Gen 19:1-13; Lev 18:22; Lev 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10; 1 Tim 1:8-11; Jude 7; Prov 5:15-20; Song of Solomon 4:1-16; Heb 13:4; 1 Cor 7:1-11; 1 Cor 7:25-40; 1 Cor 5:11; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Tim 2:12-14; 1 Tim 3:1-7

See Also: QBC's Organizing Biblical Principles of Gender and Sexuality

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. That the only ones who are righteous in God’s eyes are those who are justified by faith and are sanctified by the Spirit of our God. All who tragically continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse. This distinction holds among men both in and after death.

Mal 3:18; Prov 12:26; Isa 5:20; Gen 18:23; Jer 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom 6:16; Rom 1:17; Rom 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Rom 6:18;22; 1 Cor 11:32; Prov 11:31; 1 Pet 4:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Gal 3:10; John 3:36; Isa 57:21; Ps 10:4; Isa 55:6-7; Prov 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23- 26; Eccl 3:17; Matt 7:13-14

We believe that the end of the world and the dawning of the New Creation is approaching. That at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. That a solemn and public separation will then take place: the wicked will be justly assigned to endless punishment and the righteous to endless joy. This judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

1 Pet 4:7; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Heb 1:10-12; Matt 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt 28:20; Matt 13:39-40; 2 Pet 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7; Heb 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; 2 Tim 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt 13:49; Matt 13:37- 43; Matt 24:30-31; Matt 25:31-46; Rev 22:11; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet 2:9; Jude 7; Phil 3:19; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor 4:18; Rom 3:5-6; 2 Thess 1:6-12; Heb 6:1-2; 1 Cor 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:2-16; Rev 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17; 2 Pet 3:11-12