Written by Brotherhood.

Confession of Faith and Practice

1. THE WORD OF GOD:

We believe and confess that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God. It is the only rule for faith and practice. The Word of God, especially the New Testament, is the standard by which the Christian orders his life.

2 Peter 1:20; 2 Tim. 3:16

2. THE DEITY OF CHRIST:

We believe and confess that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, God in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the virgin womb of Mary. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) Christ as Deity hung on the cross for our sins. If Christ be not God, then we are yet in our sins and without hope.

John 1:1; Matt. 1:23

3. FALLEN MAN:

We believe and confess that man is a fallen creature. Created in the image and likeness of God, man though disobedience to God, fell to a condition of spiritual death. This death passed upon all men. Man is a helpless creature set only on wickedness continually. He needs salvation.

Gen.3:1-24; Gen.6:5; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-5.

4. HEAVEN OR HELL:

We believe and confess that heaven and hell are real places. People who die without Christ will live eternally in a burning lake of fire, being tormented in the flames. People who die in the Lord will live eternally in heaven with Christ, experiencing blessings which no man can utter.

Matt. 13:50; Matt. 3:12; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 14:11; John 14:1-3; Matt. 5:12; Rev. 21:1-27; Rev. 22:1-21.

5. SALVATION:

We believe and confess that all who believe in Christ shall be saved. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He is the sacrifice, the payment for the sins of fallen man. Man must respond with repentance (a change of heart) toward God and with faith (a heart attitude of belief) in our Lord Jesus Christ. Believing is a present, continuous act of the will.

I Cor. 15:1-3; John 3:16; Rom. 10:13; Acts 20:21; I Peter 1:5.

6. THE TRINITY:

We believe and confess that God is a Triune God expressed in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

II Cor. 13:14; Matt. 28:20; Matt. 3:16,17; Gen. 1:26.

7. SATAN:

We believe and confess that Satan is a real person, a fallen angelic being, who through rebellion lost his position in heaven. We recognize this foe and his kingdom of darkness; we are in a spiritual battle which demands our continual standing in Christ, our power.

I Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:10-18; II Cor. 10:3-5; Ezek. 28:13-17; Isa. 14:12-17.

8. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:

We believe and confess in a physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth. He shall come in like manner as He left. We should look to, hope for, and expect at any time the coming of the Lord. This hope will cause God’s people to purify themselves.

John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; I John 3:3.

9. THE KINGDOM OF GOD:

We believe and confess that the kingdom of God, or Christ, is a spiritual kingdom of the world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ presented a higher standard of holiness for His kingdom. Citizenship in the kingdom, therefore:

10. DISCIPLESHIP:

We believe and confess that discipleship is a clear characteristic of all true Christians. A disciple willingly bears the cross and denies himself, forsaking all things that hinder his fellowship with God. This crucifixion of the flesh is the operation of God by faith, a moment-by-moment surrender of the will to God.

Luke 14:33; Luke 14:26,27; Rom. 6:11-16; Gal. 2:20,21; Col. 2:10-12; Gal. 5:24.

11. EVANGELISM:

We believe and confess that the Great Commission given by Christ to His Disciples (Matt. 28:19,20) was a commission to all Christians to go and tell the good news of salvation to a lost and dying world. Brothers and sisters alike are responsible to share Christ as opportunity arises in daily living.

Psa. 126:6; Mark 16:15; Acts 8:4; Acts 5:42.

12. CHRISTIAN APPEARANCE:

We believe and confess that God’s people should regulate their appearance by clear scriptural principles.

13. THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE:

We believe and confess that the height of Christian experience is attained, maintained, and expressed in a life of devotion to God, which is a continual pressing of the heart in love and fellowship with God. Prayer, a study of the Word, meditations, fastings, and the singing from the heart are expressions of devotion to God. We believe then that this heart that is lifted up to God will gradually and consistently bring forth the holy actions commanded in the Scriptures.

John 4:23,24; I Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22,23; Rom. 8:4.

14. THE CHRISTIAN HOME:

We believe and confess the importance of the godly home in the promotion of moral purity and faith . It is a haven of mutual love and godliness, a shelter from the corruption of the society. The home should be ordered according to the dictates of Eph. 5 and Col. 3.

15. THE CHURCH:

16. CHRISTIAN ORDINANCES:

We believe and confess that ordinances were instituted by divine authority for the purpose of expressing heavenly thoughts and meanings, given to draw our attention toward spiritual pictures of divine truth. These ordinances are as follows:

17. MARRIAGE:

We believe and confess that marriage is an institution ordained of God.

God recognizes all first marriages where vows have been made and the marriage consummated. In God’s eyes only death can break the marriage covenant.

18. THE BROTHERHOOD:

19. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

We confess the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit found in I Cor. 12:1-21 to be valid through the New Testament dispensation.

20. DIVINATION AND WITCHCRAFT RENOUNCED:

Brethren are free from all types of witchcraft, sorcery, divining, and other occultic and New Age practices. These practices shall be renounced in the name of Jesus to maintain church purity.

Eph. 5:11,12; Gal. 5:19-21.