ARTICLE III: CHURCH CREEDS
SECTION 1: STATEMENT OF FAITH
• THE HOLY BIBLE: We believe that the Scriptures, comprised of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, complete as the revelation of God's will for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in all matters to which they speak. We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation, and applied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Corinthians 14:37)
• THE TRINITY: We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and they are equal in essence. They execute distinct but harmonious roles in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Genesis 1:1-2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; John 10:30; 14;23;17;5; Acts 5:3-4)
• GOD THE FATHER: We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, knowledge, power, and love. We believe He concerns Himself both graciously and mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. The Father does everything in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty neither eliminates nor minimizes our personal responsibility. (Matthew 28:19; John 15;26; Psalm 19;1; Exodus 3:14; Colossians 1:17)
• JESUS CHRIST: We believe in Jesus Christ, God's eternal Son. We believe further that He is not only true God, but true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. We also believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and His personal and visible return from heaven. (Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13;14; Philippians 2:5,6; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in God the Holy Spirit. He was sent by God the Father and God the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ's work of redemption and baptism. He regenerates, seals, gifts, and indwells all believers at conversion, progressively sanctifying, and securing them in Christ forever. The Spirit fills, leads, comforts, and intercedes for believers, empowering them for godly living and service. His presence is evident by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of believers into the body of Christ, the Church. (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; John 16:8-11; Ephesians 4:30; Exodus 31:3; 1 Samuel 16:13; John 14:26; Romans 8:26)
• CREATION: We believe God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit are the sole agents responsible for the creation of the physical universe. We further do not condone any syncretistic theories that would attempt to harmonize the literal, historical account of creation as recorded in the Bible with evolutionary presuppositions, and therefore repudiate all forms of evolutionary, humanistic theories in regard to origins.(e.g. Theistic Evolution, Progressive Creationism) (Genesis 1; Genesis 2; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalms 33:6-9; Isaiah 44:24; John 1: 1-3; Colossians 1:12-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11)
• MANKIND: We believe God originally created Adam and Eve in His image and free from sin. We further believe that all people are created in His image, but are sinners by nature and choice and are spiritually dead. We also believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe God established marriage to be a lifelong covenant relationship between one man and one woman. Marriage so defined is the only permissible context for intimate sexual expression and is the foundation for the human family. We believe that human life is sacred and precious from conception until death and should always be protected. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life. (Genesis 1:26- 31; 2:7, 22; 5:1-2; 9:6; Psalm 100:3; 119:73; Isaiah 45:12; Acts 17:26-28; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 139:13 -16; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:31, 34-36, 41, 44; Genesis 2:23,24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Timothy 3:2)
• SALVATION: We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received by faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. All who repent and believe in Jesus Christ are forgiven of all their sins, baptized by Christ with the Spirit, justified in God's sight by the merit of Christ's righteousness, adopted into His family, eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit, and have equal access to God. We further believe that salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern. (Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 28; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:5,8; Romans 4:4-5; 6:23; 8:29-30; 11:5-6; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:8-9; Philippians 3:7-9; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:10-11; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8)
• THE CHURCH: We believe that the Church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head. We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that this body expresses itself in local assemblies whose members have been immersed upon a credible confession of faith and who unite themselves for worship, fellowship, instruction, evangelism, and service. We believe that the ordinances of the local church are believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. We also believe in the interdependence of local churches and mutual submission of believers to each other in unity and love. We believe that each local church is self-governing in function and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 18:15-17; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38, 41-42, 47; 8:12, 36-39; 16:34-34; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Ephesians 4:1-13)
This church, under the headship of Christ, is led by congregationally-affirmed elders. Elders are biblically-qualified males (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9) who do the work of shepherding God's church by praying, feeding, leading, guiding, nurturing, and administrating the church.
(The Above Paragraph is from the POLICY Section of MMA Handbook)
• LAST THINGS: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and lost, the eternal existence of all people in heaven or hell, and in divine judgments, rewards, and punishments. (Isaiah 26:19; John 5:25-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:5-6; 21:6-7) (Note: This relates to the end of item 6 in current statement)
SECTION 2: CHURCH COVENANT
Elder: By what common and gracious experiences do we enter into spiritual fellowship and covenant relations with God and with one another?
PEOPLE: Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
Elder: What is the great bond of our union with God and each other?
PEOPLE: We commit, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian Love.
Elder: What are our great privileges and duties in this our own Church?
PEOPLE: To strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.
Elder: What vows do we gladly make as stewards of that which God has entrusted to us?
PEOPLE: To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all nations.
Elder: For the sake of our homes and our loved ones, what gracious tasks do we humbly assume?
PEOPLE: We also commit to maintain family and personal devotions; to spiritually train our children and to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Elder: For the sake of the unsaved for whom our Saviour died, to what manner of life and conversation are we solemnly and sincerely pledged?
PEOPLE: To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, excessive anger; to be not drunk with intoxicating beverages, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
Elder: Since one is our Master, even Christ, and we all are brethren, in what ways are we to strengthen each other and adorn the teachings of our Lord and Saviour? We further commit to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to seek it without delay.
Elder: If the Lord should lead us away from this area so we are unable to attend This Church, what shall we do?
PEOPLE: We shall as soon as possible unite with a like-minded Church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
ELDER AND PEOPLE: HUMBLY CONFESSING OUR PAST SINS, WE PRAY FOR GRACE AND STRENGTH TO KEEP THESE, OUR HOLY VOWS, FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN.
• THE HOLY BIBLE: We believe that the Scriptures, comprised of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, complete as the revelation of God's will for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in all matters to which they speak. We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation, and applied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Corinthians 14:37)
• THE TRINITY: We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and they are equal in essence. They execute distinct but harmonious roles in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Genesis 1:1-2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; John 10:30; 14;23;17;5; Acts 5:3-4)
• GOD THE FATHER: We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, knowledge, power, and love. We believe He concerns Himself both graciously and mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. The Father does everything in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty neither eliminates nor minimizes our personal responsibility. (Matthew 28:19; John 15;26; Psalm 19;1; Exodus 3:14; Colossians 1:17)
• JESUS CHRIST: We believe in Jesus Christ, God's eternal Son. We believe further that He is not only true God, but true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. We also believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and His personal and visible return from heaven. (Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13;14; Philippians 2:5,6; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in God the Holy Spirit. He was sent by God the Father and God the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ's work of redemption and baptism. He regenerates, seals, gifts, and indwells all believers at conversion, progressively sanctifying, and securing them in Christ forever. The Spirit fills, leads, comforts, and intercedes for believers, empowering them for godly living and service. His presence is evident by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of believers into the body of Christ, the Church. (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; John 16:8-11; Ephesians 4:30; Exodus 31:3; 1 Samuel 16:13; John 14:26; Romans 8:26)
• CREATION: We believe God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit are the sole agents responsible for the creation of the physical universe. We further do not condone any syncretistic theories that would attempt to harmonize the literal, historical account of creation as recorded in the Bible with evolutionary presuppositions, and therefore repudiate all forms of evolutionary, humanistic theories in regard to origins.(e.g. Theistic Evolution, Progressive Creationism) (Genesis 1; Genesis 2; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalms 33:6-9; Isaiah 44:24; John 1: 1-3; Colossians 1:12-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11)
• MANKIND: We believe God originally created Adam and Eve in His image and free from sin. We further believe that all people are created in His image, but are sinners by nature and choice and are spiritually dead. We also believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe God established marriage to be a lifelong covenant relationship between one man and one woman. Marriage so defined is the only permissible context for intimate sexual expression and is the foundation for the human family. We believe that human life is sacred and precious from conception until death and should always be protected. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life. (Genesis 1:26- 31; 2:7, 22; 5:1-2; 9:6; Psalm 100:3; 119:73; Isaiah 45:12; Acts 17:26-28; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 139:13 -16; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:31, 34-36, 41, 44; Genesis 2:23,24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Timothy 3:2)
• SALVATION: We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received by faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. All who repent and believe in Jesus Christ are forgiven of all their sins, baptized by Christ with the Spirit, justified in God's sight by the merit of Christ's righteousness, adopted into His family, eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit, and have equal access to God. We further believe that salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern. (Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 28; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:5,8; Romans 4:4-5; 6:23; 8:29-30; 11:5-6; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:8-9; Philippians 3:7-9; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:10-11; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8)
• THE CHURCH: We believe that the Church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head. We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that this body expresses itself in local assemblies whose members have been immersed upon a credible confession of faith and who unite themselves for worship, fellowship, instruction, evangelism, and service. We believe that the ordinances of the local church are believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. We also believe in the interdependence of local churches and mutual submission of believers to each other in unity and love. We believe that each local church is self-governing in function and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 18:15-17; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38, 41-42, 47; 8:12, 36-39; 16:34-34; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Ephesians 4:1-13)
This church, under the headship of Christ, is led by congregationally-affirmed elders. Elders are biblically-qualified males (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9) who do the work of shepherding God's church by praying, feeding, leading, guiding, nurturing, and administrating the church.
(The Above Paragraph is from the POLICY Section of MMA Handbook)
• LAST THINGS: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and lost, the eternal existence of all people in heaven or hell, and in divine judgments, rewards, and punishments. (Isaiah 26:19; John 5:25-29; Acts 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:5-6; 21:6-7) (Note: This relates to the end of item 6 in current statement)
SECTION 2: CHURCH COVENANT
Elder: By what common and gracious experiences do we enter into spiritual fellowship and covenant relations with God and with one another?
PEOPLE: Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
Elder: What is the great bond of our union with God and each other?
PEOPLE: We commit, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian Love.
Elder: What are our great privileges and duties in this our own Church?
PEOPLE: To strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.
Elder: What vows do we gladly make as stewards of that which God has entrusted to us?
PEOPLE: To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all nations.
Elder: For the sake of our homes and our loved ones, what gracious tasks do we humbly assume?
PEOPLE: We also commit to maintain family and personal devotions; to spiritually train our children and to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Elder: For the sake of the unsaved for whom our Saviour died, to what manner of life and conversation are we solemnly and sincerely pledged?
PEOPLE: To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, excessive anger; to be not drunk with intoxicating beverages, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
Elder: Since one is our Master, even Christ, and we all are brethren, in what ways are we to strengthen each other and adorn the teachings of our Lord and Saviour? We further commit to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to seek it without delay.
Elder: If the Lord should lead us away from this area so we are unable to attend This Church, what shall we do?
PEOPLE: We shall as soon as possible unite with a like-minded Church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
ELDER AND PEOPLE: HUMBLY CONFESSING OUR PAST SINS, WE PRAY FOR GRACE AND STRENGTH TO KEEP THESE, OUR HOLY VOWS, FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN.
