Membership

We believe Jesus Christ is the authority on all matters in heaven and on earth (Matt 28) we further believe that His will is fully revealed for us in the holy scriptures - which forms the basis for our statements of our belief and practices. We believe this to be the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) and that we are to earnestly content for and keep these teachings as the apostles delivered them to us (2Thes 2:15, 2Thes 3:6, 1Cor 11:2) We also appreciate and are in agreement with the Apostles Creed and various statements of faith from the Anabaptist and waldensian past.

We agree that the church is the pillar and guardian of the truth. As such, it has a vested interest in the teaching and exhortation of its families through our weekly gatherings, preaching, and meaningful worship (prayer, fasting & etc) Since Christ is the fountainhead of all true knowledge, every effort should be made to provide a complete Christ-centered, high quality education for the children of our congregations. The believing father is primarily responsible to prepare his child(ren) for all of life. In the interests of its accountability to the Scriptures, each local church body is expected to assist and encourage its fathers in this responsibility (Deut. 6:6-9; Eph. 6:4; Col. 2:3; I Tim. 3:15).

We agree the first requirement for membership into the Body of Christ is that the person must repent of his/her sins and become born-again by calling on and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ Rom 10: 9-13 for forgiveness of sins followed by water baptism. Mark 16:16 Born again believers already faithful to New Testament teachings are gladly welcomed to join in fellowship, partake in communion and participate in ministry responsibly according to the gifting's and abilities given to him/her by the Lord. (1Pet 4:10)

We believe that it is the blessed privilege of all believers in Christ to know that they have passed from death unto life, that God is able to keep them from falling and that "the obedience of Faith" is essential to the maintenance of one's salvation and growth in grace. (John 8:31-32, 2 Peter 1:5-11, 1 John 3:14, Jude 1:24-25) We reject unconditional eternal security because both the Old and New Testament warn and teach against falling away from the Faith and departing from God. (Ezek. 18:24, Hosea 4:6, Heb. 6:4-6, Rev. 3:5) We believe the doctrine of holiness for the believer, but that the doctrine of complete eradication of the sin principle is contrary to the scriptures. Christian assurance can be enjoyed only when the believer is willing to cleanse himself from "all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit".

We agree that the proper application of the headship order is for the Christian man to take seriously the Biblical commandment to be a Christ-like leader in the home and congregation and for the woman to complement him as his helper.

We believe faithful believers must abstain from all sin, ungodly conversation, extravagance and excesses in habits of living, the use of habit forming drugs, excessive strong drink, including tobacco. Patronizing bars, clubs, or other public or private facilities that are intended for indulging evil passions and fleshly lusts is not for the believer. We also urge using spiritual discernment in patronizing public plays and movie theaters, sporting activities, concerts, or other activities that may be of questionable good moral value. We want to be careful of the many attractions that are around us since the Bible teaches clearly that living in sinful lusts and pleasures brings spiritual death and evil company corrupts good manners (1Cor 15:33) We urge strong caution in the use of all electronic media especially when this media promotes an ungodly worldview or desensitization to sin, such use must be avoided (Psalm 101:3, 2 Cor 6:17, 1Pet 2:11). We believe the heads of households are to be held accountable for media use and allowance in their homes and family.

We agree that the personal appearance of the true Christian believer must present a clear witness to Biblical teachings in such matters as modest apparel, gender distinctions, and simplicity. We agree to refrain from all decorative jewelry, the wedding band, and any makeup that alters the natural appearance. We agree that the best application of the Biblical requirement of “long hair” (1 Cor 11) for the sisters is “natural length.” We also agree that the sisters ought to wear a veiling when praying or prophesying and as a part of their regular attire if comfortable doing so. We believe Christian men should have short hair and unveiled head when praying and prophesying.

We agree that the personal appearance of the true Christian believer must present a clear witness to Biblical teachings in such matters as modest apparel, gender distinctions, and simplicity. We agree to refrain from all decorative jewelry, the wedding band, and any makeup that alters the natural appearance.

We agree that divorce and remarriage is outside the will of God and thus unacceptable. A second marriage with a former spouse living constitutes a state of adultery, requiring repentance and separation. We also agree that God’s gift of sex is to be reserved only for marriage. All forms of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions.

We agree that human life is a special gift of God. Abortion constitutes the inexcusable taking of unborn human life; thus, it is murder. This includes termination of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother. Infanticide and euthanasia, including assisted suicide, are also to be recognized as murder.

It is the moral obligation of brothers and sisters in Christ to witness against sin so the purity and the honor of the church is maintained. No members may intentionally be a participant in hiding sin and wrongdoing. Personal offenses between members should not be publicized or taken immediately to the church. The grievances should be first dealt with the manner given in scripture. (Matt. 18:15-17)

If a brother or sister does falls away from Christ through unrepentant moral transgression, the church becomes responsible to make every possible effort to show love and compassion in trying to win them back to Christ. New Testament discipline is only to be the last resort if repentance and amendment of life is not evident. Loving effort is then to be made to restore them back to the Lord. James 5:20 Persons under discipline of the church must withdraw from the greeting, communion, counsels of the church and in some cases even eating with such is prohibited (1 Cor 5:11).

Members may not be held guilty of that which they declare themselves to be innocent, except by the testimony of two or three reliable witnesses, otherwise the matter must be left between themselves and God. (Matt. 18:16) No grievance may be brought up against another after peace has been expressed except where serious phases of the matter were hidden or unknown.

When members move from one congregation to another, they shall present if applicable letters of standing from the congregation from which they came, if requested we will be happy to give you a letter of standing for the next church that you seek to fellowship with as applicable.

Acts 18:27 "And when he (Apollos) was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:" See also 2 Cor. 3:1-3 and Rom. 16:1-2.

We believe that to thrive and be in unity, it is important for a local church to be in general agreement of faith and practice matters. (John 3:16-17, 10:27-29, Rom. 4, Eph. 2:8-10, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 John 1:8-10, 5:13, Jude 1:24) So before being baptized or received into our fellowship. We will first ask whether you can support our statement of faith and practice.