Statement of faith

1. The Scriptures were written by Holy men of old. The King James Bible is the inspired Word of God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2. God is one, but there are 3 parts to His Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God the Father is on the throne 

        in heaven, God the Son became our sacrifice for sin and God the Holy Spirit lives within the Christian and intercedes to           the Father for us. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost           and these three are one.

3. The Devil or Satan was once holy and enjoyed heaven, but through pride and ambition to be as God the Father he fell and took with him one third of the angels. He is the prince and power of the air. He is the tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, the father of liars, the deceiver, etc. Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

4. The creation was done as it is recorded in Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

5. The fall of man came by Adam and Eve. He sinned, therefore, we are all born in sin. The story of the fall is found in Genesis 3. Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

6. Jesus Christ was born of Mary, a virgin. She was willing and obedient to the call of God on her life. She had not known man and the Holy Ghost came upon her and she conceived and bare Jesus Christ the Son of God. After giving birth to Jesus she married Joseph and had other children by him. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

7. Salvation is by grace through faith in the sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ. He was the sinless sacrifice for our sin. He shed his blood on the cross for us so that we might live eternally with Him in Heaven. He rose from the dead and is now sitting at the Father’s right hand. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

8. The new birth is repenting of our sins and being born into the family of God by accepting the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross when He shed his blood for all sinners. The new birth is super natural and we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. This new birth is offered to all.

John 3:3, 6-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

9. The church is a congregation of baptized believers that meet regularly to be encouraged and to encourage others through the Scriptures. The church is led by a pastor whose qualifications are in the scriptures. The mission of the church is found in the Great Commission to go and disciple, then baptize and teach. Each local church is self-governed. Christ is the head of the church.

Matthew 28:18-20 …All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, 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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I Timothy 1:1-13

10. Baptism is the first of the 2 church ordinances. Baptism is the outward sign of what has happened on the inside of a person. It is done by immersion in water signifying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We accept Christ by faith then we are baptized in answer of a good conscious toward God.

Romans 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

11. The Lord’s Supper is the second of the 2 church ordinances. Unleavened bread and grape juice are used and it is taken by baptized believers who first have examined themselves in a solemn service. This is done to remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. We are not to take the Lord’s Supper lightly.

I Corinthians 11:23-28 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

12. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a real bodily resurrection “on the third day according to the scriptures.” This same Jesus will come back for His bride bodily at the appointed time by the Father. The dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.

I Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

I Thess. 4: 14-17 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

13. We are commanded to give the gospel to the world. This is the commission of the Church. Matthew 28:18-20 …All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, 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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

          Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

14. Giving of our tithes is God’s way to take care of the church and its pastor. We are to bring our tithes into the store house on the first day of the week. We give not pay our tithes and offerings. Mal. 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

I Cor. 9:6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Bro. Eric Conaway and Mrs. Ron Conaway (Aunt Jane), Missionaries to Mexico