We believe and teach:
1. The Bible
That the Bible is the Word of God and the only infallible guide for man; that it is divinely inspired, authentic, and authoritative; that without this direct revelation from God we would be ignorant of sin, repentance, and God’s plan of salvation through Jesus, as well as the creation of the universe and the origin and eternal destiny of man. 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 24:35; John 12:48; Psalm 119:105, 130; 2 Peter 1:21.
2. God (Divine Trinity)
That there is one eternal, self-existing, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, invisible, incomprehensible God, revealing Himself in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—three in one, one in three, coexistent from eternity to eternity. Psalm 90:2; Romans 11:33; 1 John 5:7; Isaiah 45:22.
3. God the Son
That Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that He is coexistent with the Father; that He was born of a virgin, partook of humanity, but without the taint of sin; that He suffered and died on the cross, arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven; that alone through the shedding of his blood do we have atonement for sin and free access to the throne of grace. John 1:1, 3:16; Matthew 1:20-21; Colossians 2:9; Luke 2:11, 9:35.
4. God the Holy Ghost
That the Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Godhead; that He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son; that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment; that He is the Comforter of saints and guides them into all truth. John 15:26, 16:7-13; Acts 2:1-4, 38.
5. Creation
That the Genesis account of creation is true and authentic; that the theory of evolution, which teaches natural development from the lowest to the highest forms of life, is a direct contradiction of this account and therefore is false. Genesis chapters 1 and 2; Hebrews 1:10; Exodus 31:17; Jeremiah 10:12-13; Revelation 4:11.
6. Man
That man was created an intelligent being by an immediate act of God, and that in his original state he was like unto his maker in righteousness and holiness; that through transgression he fell; that in his fallen state he is estranged from God, and in him “dwelleth no good thing.” He is utterly unable of himself to return to righteousness, even his mind and conscience being defiled. Genesis 1:27, 31; Romans 7:8; Titus 1:15; Colossians 3:10; Matthew 19:4.
7. Miracles of the Bible
That the miracles of the Bible are matter-of-fact statements and literally true. That they are supernatural acts of God through his divine power. Acts 1:3, 2:22, 4:16; Matthew 11:3-5; John 3:2; Acts 15:12; Mark 16:17-18.
8. The New Birth
That only those who by true repentance, confession of sin, and faith in the atoning work of Christ are redeemed from sin; that through the new birth we become “partakers of the divine nature,” obedient to God’s Word, and children of God. John 3:3-16; Acts 4:12; 1 John 1:6-7; Acts 17:30, 20:21; Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17.
9. The Church
That the church is comprised of those who have been born again and are baptized into the fellowship of the united church of God, which is the body of Christ. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6); that the same was founded by Jesus Christ, and that her primary mission is to preach the Word. Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Hebrews 12:22-24; Acts 20:28.
10. Authority of the Church and Excommunication
That God has made provision for the organization, government, and perpetuation of his visible church; that He has given her authority, through the Holy Spirit, to interpret Scripture, choose needed officials, discipline members, and establish institutions to accomplish the work committed unto her; that every member should support the church by willing obedience and ready service; that the church must be kept pure and the erring be restored by faithful discipline, including the severing of stubborn, offensive members and teachers of heretical doctrine. Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5; Matthew 18:8-9, 15-18; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-16; Matthew 16:19; John 7:24; Titus 3:10-11.
11. Avoidance of the Excommunicated
That the church, after separating willful, persistent transgressors from the body shall avoid such to prevent further defilement in the church until the excommunicated have repented and have been re-accepted into fellowship; that the scriptural practice of this doctrine should draw the erring ones back to God and the church. Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; Romans 16:17-18; 2 John 9-11.
12. The Commission
That unto his church is given the Commission to go “into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Acts 1:8.
13. Baptism
That the penitent believers who are truly born again should be admitted into the visible church through water baptism, which is an outward sign of the new birth and the baptism of the Holy Spirit; that the Scriptures point to pouring as the proper mode of administering the rite. Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:5, 2:16-17, 38, 41; 1 Peter 3:21.
14. Holy Communion
That Christ instituted the Communion as a memorial of his suffering and death; that it should be observed by all believers to proclaim his death as oft as they observe it; that only such who are of like faith and are at peace with God and man should participate. Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-34.
15. Feet Washing
That feet washing is an ordinance instituted by our Savior to be practiced by all believers of the same faith in connection with the Communion, as the Savior commanded and set the example Himself. John 13:4-17.
16. Devotional Head Covering
That every Christian woman, in submission to God’s order, should have her head covered with a special devotional covering, complying with the form the church has adopted. “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head,” or a sign of subjection on her head 1 Corinthians 11:8-16.
17. Salutation of the Holy Kiss
That the salutation of the holy kiss should be observed among the Christian believers of the same faith (brother to brother, sister to sister). Romans 16:16; 1 Peter 5:14; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26.
18. Divine Healing
That anointing with oil, laying on of hands, and prayer for healing should be administered to the sick who call for it in faith. James 5:14-15; Mark 6:13, 16:18.
19. Holy Matrimony
That marriage was divinely instituted for the propagation, purity and happiness of the human race, that it receives divine sanction between one man and one woman only; that the bond is dissolvable only by death.* That there should be no marriage between a believer and an unbeliever, nor between members of the church and other denominations. “She is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39). Genesis 2:18; Mark 10:2-12; Romans 7:2; Matthew 5:32, 19:3-12.
(*We acknowledge the exception Jesus taught in Matthew 19:9 regarding the dissolution of the marriage bond because of fornication, as the Anabaptists also stated in the Thirty-three Articles of Faith, Article 25.)
20. Dress of Hair
That women should wear their hair in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11:15: “If a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her,” and that in humility and submission, Christian women’s hair should be a natural length; that men should not have long hair. “If a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him” (1 Corinthians 11:14). Leviticus 19:27, 21:5; Ezekiel 44:20.
21. The Beard
That man was created with a beard and should wear it to the honor of God. Genesis 1:26-27, 31; Romans 9:20. Men should not shave nor mar their beards. Leviticus 19:27, 21:5; Matthew 5:17-19.
22. The Church and the World
That the church and the world are distinctly separate and are essentially different in their aims, tastes, and attachments; that to be conformed to the world is sinful whether it be by worldly dress, social activities, amusements, or worldly allurements. “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24) Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 5:11.
23. Covetousness
That covetousness is idolatry and a gross sin of the present age, and that all Christian people should earnestly resist and condemn it; they should beware of greediness and deal honestly with all men, never taking advantage of anyone, ever abstaining from usury. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Exodus 20:17; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; (Usury) Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:37; Deuteronomy 23:19; Nehemiah 5:7, 11-12; Psalm 15:5.
24. Intemperance
That Christian people should be temperate in all things lawful; that they should abstain from the use of intoxicants, tobacco, illicit drugs, and kindred carnal habits. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Ephesians 5:18; Revelation 18:4-5; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Judges 13:4; Habakkuk 2:15; Proverbs 23:29-32.
25. Pride
That pride is an abomination in the sight of God; that humility and contrition characterize God’s people rather than a haughty and overbearing spirit. “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Proverbs 6:16-17; 1 John 2:15-17; Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6.
26. Purity Becometh God’s People
That God’s people should be pure, holy, devout, reverent, not yielding to the lust of the flesh; therefore, vulgar conversation, secret vice, and other improper and sinful conduct are entirely outside the realm of Christian living. 1 Peter 1:15, 2:12, 3:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:19-25; 1 John 3:3.
27. Modest Apparel
That Christian people should be clothed in modest apparel, not drawing attention to their bodies; that the wearing of jewelry, costly array, fashionable attire, gaudy dress, and bodily ornamentation should be strictly avoided. “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Isaiah 3:16-24; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3-5.
28. Nonresistance
That the letter and the spirit of the Gospel are emphatically against strife, contention, and carnal warfare; and that therefore no believer should have part in carnal strife, whether among individuals, in suits at law, or in conflict among nations. The nonresistance doctrine was taught and exemplified by Christ and the apostles and adhered to by true Christians until the present time. Matthew 5:38-45, 26:52; John 18:36; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Romans 12:17-21; 2 Corinthians 10:4.
29. Swearing of Oaths
That under the Gospel dispensation the swearing of oaths, for any purpose and for all circumstances, is forbidden. Matthew 5:34-37; James 5:12.
30. Church and State
That there is a complete separation of church and state: that we owe our first allegiance to God and, although we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth,” we are also subject unto the higher powers. “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13). This separation forbids Christians from seeking public office, voting in general elections, or serving on a jury. John 18:36; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-5; Hebrews 11:13.
31. Secret Societies
That believers should have no part in secret or oath-bound organizations, and that membership in them disqualifies anyone for church membership; since labor unions and fraternal organizations have similar characteristics, they should be considered in the same light. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
32. Insurance
That Christians are to trust in God rather than to seek financial security in insurance companies. We do not believe in insuring one’s life. We believe in a mutual sharing of losses as taught in the Scriptures. Psalm 118:8; Jeremiah 49:11; Matthew 6:19-34; Psalm 10:14; Philippians 4:6.
33. Return of the Lord
That the personal, second coming of the Lord Jesus is imminent, which is the blessed hope of the believer. That He will come, not in humiliation, nor to literally reign here on earth with his people, but in great glory to receive his own and judge the world in righteousness. Matthew 24:29-31, 42-44, 25:31-32; Mark 13:24-27; Titus 2:13; Acts 1:11; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 1:7, 20:11-15.
34. The Resurrection
That there will be a bodily resurrection of both the just and the unjust. Thus, in the last day all the dead shall be raised up and made alive through the incomprehensible power of God. They, together with those who are still alive, will be changed in the twinkling of an eye at the sound of the last trump, and shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The good will be separated from the wicked, and everyone shall receive in his own body according as he hath done, whether it be good or evil. Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; John 11:24-25; Revelation 20:13; Job 14:14.
35. Hell
That all who have rejected the blood atonement of Christ will have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone and where the smoke of their torment ascendeth forever. Psalm 9:17; Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 14:11, 20:10-15; John 5:28-29; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Jude 7.
36. Heaven
That the righteous—saved, blessed and glorified—will spend eternity in the realms of endless bliss and glory. Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:34, 46; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 22:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 14:13; 21:1-5.