Overview
We believe the Gospel is the most important truth anyone will ever hear. Jesus died on the cross to save sinners and He invites everyone to turn to him in faith. We want to make that message known and then equip each disciple of Jesus to be a "vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).
The information below gives more specific details about our views on questions of biblical interpretation. If you are unfamiliar with some of the words or ideas, that's OK. The best way to understand the heart of Fellowship is to come and visit. We are more than happy to explain any of these doctrines in person. We even offer a "Starting Point" class to help you better understand our church and decide if you would like to join us in our mission to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ.
The information below gives more specific details about our views on questions of biblical interpretation. If you are unfamiliar with some of the words or ideas, that's OK. The best way to understand the heart of Fellowship is to come and visit. We are more than happy to explain any of these doctrines in person. We even offer a "Starting Point" class to help you better understand our church and decide if you would like to join us in our mission to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ.
Church Covenant
Our promise to each other to uphold our duties to God, family, and fellow believers.
Church Covenant
Having been led by the Holy Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, seriously and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ, to walk worthy of the vocation to which we are called.
We promise, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to forsake the paths of sin and to walk in the ways of holiness all the days of our lives. With this in view, we promise to work together 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; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church and the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the gospel throughout the nations.
We also promise to grow in the knowledge of the Lord ourselves, to educate and train our family in the doctrines and principles of the Bible, to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior, and to make Christ first in all things both temporal and spiritual.
We further promise to walk together in Christian love and watchfulness, giving and receiving admonition with meekness and affection, to remember each other in prayer, and to aid each other in case of 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 Savior, to secure it without delay.
We finally promise that when we remove from this place, it will be our goal to unite with some other church where we can carry out the principles of the Word of God and the spirit of this covenant.
We promise, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to forsake the paths of sin and to walk in the ways of holiness all the days of our lives. With this in view, we promise to work together 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; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church and the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the gospel throughout the nations.
We also promise to grow in the knowledge of the Lord ourselves, to educate and train our family in the doctrines and principles of the Bible, to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior, and to make Christ first in all things both temporal and spiritual.
We further promise to walk together in Christian love and watchfulness, giving and receiving admonition with meekness and affection, to remember each other in prayer, and to aid each other in case of 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 Savior, to secure it without delay.
We finally promise that when we remove from this place, it will be our goal to unite with some other church where we can carry out the principles of the Word of God and the spirit of this covenant.
Articles of Faith
These statements of doctrine set forth the essential truths which guide every area of belief and practice at Fellowship
Fellowship Articles of faith
These statements summarize our understanding of proper doctrine as contained in God's Word
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired and therefore is infallible and without error in all matters of which it speaks. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
2 Tim. 3:15, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
2 Tim. 3:15, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
The True God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressively glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons – The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Ex. 20:2, 3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11; 1 John 5:7
Ex. 20:2, 3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11; 1 John 5:7
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, guides, teaches, witnesses to, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 16:8-11, 3:5-6; Acts 11:16, 5:30-32; Gen. 1:1-3; Mark 1:8; Eph. 5:18; Luke 1:35, 24-40; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27
John 16:8-11, 3:5-6; Acts 11:16, 5:30-32; Gen. 1:1-3; Mark 1:8; Eph. 5:18; Luke 1:35, 24-40; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27
Satan
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire.
Matt. 4:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10; John 8:44; 1 John 2:8
Matt. 4:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10; John 8:44; 1 John 2:8
Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by direct creation of God and not evolution.
Gen. 1 & 2; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3
Gen. 1 & 2; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3
Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning, and that is an exclusive union which joins one man and one woman in a binding one-flesh relationship as taught in the creation account in the Bible.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, attempts to change gender, or disagreement with biological gender are all forms of sexual immorality and therefore are sinful and offensive to God. All persons who are employed or serve as volunteers in this church must agree to and abide by this statement on Marriage. We believe that every person must be treated with compassion, kindness, respect, and dignity. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake any sin.
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, attempts to change gender, or disagreement with biological gender are all forms of sexual immorality and therefore are sinful and offensive to God. All persons who are employed or serve as volunteers in this church must agree to and abide by this statement on Marriage. We believe that every person must be treated with compassion, kindness, respect, and dignity. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake any sin.
THe Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in perfection under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:10-19, 1:18, 32.
Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:10-19, 1:18, 32.
The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both God, and God in the flesh.
Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Col. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:19
Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Col. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:19
The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and
vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, and a compassionate, all-sufficient Savior.
Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:15; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18
vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, and a compassionate, all-sufficient Savior.
Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:15; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18
Grace in the New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:5, 8; 2 Cor. 5:17, 19, 21; 1 John 3:6-7; Acts 16: 30, 33; 2 Peter 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13
John 3:5, 8; 2 Cor. 5:17, 19, 21; 1 John 3:6-7; Acts 16: 30, 33; 2 Peter 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13
Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures for all who believe in Him is justification.
- That justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness.
- That it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is credited to us.
Faith and Salvation
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation and wherever there is true faith, there is true repentance.
Matt. 13:3-9; Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4
Matt. 13:3-9; Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4
The local church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the Church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41-43, 20:17-28, 15:13-18; 1 Cor. 11:2;Eph. 1:22-23, 4:11, 5:23-24; 1 Tim. 3:17; Col. 1:18
Acts 2:41-43, 20:17-28, 15:13-18; 1 Cor. 11:2;Eph. 1:22-23, 4:11, 5:23-24; 1 Tim. 3:17; Col. 1:18
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a saved one in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, which faith has its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 3:16; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-28
Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 3:16; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-28
The assurance of Salvation
We believe that all who are truly born of the Spirit of God are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.
Jude 1; 1 Peter 1:5
Jude 1; 1 Peter 1:5
The righteous and the wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only by faith are we justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, sanctified by the Spirit of our God, and truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting happiness of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18, 23, 7:6; 1 John 5:19; Prov. 14:32; Luke 6:25; Matt. 25: 34-41; John 8:21
Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18, 23, 7:6; 1 John 5:19; Prov. 14:32; Luke 6:25; Matt. 25: 34-41; John 8:21
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that all officials in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:17; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Acts 5:20, 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18
Rom. 13:17; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Acts 5:20, 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18
end times
A. We believe in the bodily resurrection. Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor. 15:4; Luke 24:2-5
B. The Ascension. Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mk. 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 12:2
C. The High Priesthood. Heb. 8:6, 2:17, 5:9-10; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:1
D. The Second Coming. John 14:3; Acts 1:11, 1 Thess. 4:16, James 5:8; Heb. 9:28
E. The bodily resurrection of the righteous dead. 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:42-52
F. The change of the living in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3: 20-21
G. The Throne of David. Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30.
H. The Millennial Reign. Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:6, 14
B. The Ascension. Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mk. 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 12:2
C. The High Priesthood. Heb. 8:6, 2:17, 5:9-10; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:1
D. The Second Coming. John 14:3; Acts 1:11, 1 Thess. 4:16, James 5:8; Heb. 9:28
E. The bodily resurrection of the righteous dead. 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:42-52
F. The change of the living in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3: 20-21
G. The Throne of David. Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30.
H. The Millennial Reign. Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:6, 14
Dispensational approach to scripture
A. We believe that the Scriptures divide time into seven unequal periods of time which we call dispensations. Eph. 3:2-5
B. We believe that each of these periods in history are marked off by some change in God’s method of dealing with mankind or a portion of mankind.
C. We believe that in the study of dispensations, it is of utmost importance to remember that God had only one plan of salvation, but various ways of dealing with man regarding that plan.
D. We believe that there are seven dispensations characterized as follows:
1. Innocence Creation of Adam to the fall.
2. Conscience Fall of Adam to the flood.
3. Human Government Flood to the Tower of Babel.
4. Promise Call of Abraham to the Exodus.
5. Law Mount Sinai to the Cross
6. Grace or Church Age Calvary to Tribulation period.
7. Kingdom Second Coming to Great White Throne.
E. We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church, which is His Body. Rev. 3:10
B. We believe that each of these periods in history are marked off by some change in God’s method of dealing with mankind or a portion of mankind.
C. We believe that in the study of dispensations, it is of utmost importance to remember that God had only one plan of salvation, but various ways of dealing with man regarding that plan.
D. We believe that there are seven dispensations characterized as follows:
1. Innocence Creation of Adam to the fall.
2. Conscience Fall of Adam to the flood.
3. Human Government Flood to the Tower of Babel.
4. Promise Call of Abraham to the Exodus.
5. Law Mount Sinai to the Cross
6. Grace or Church Age Calvary to Tribulation period.
7. Kingdom Second Coming to Great White Throne.
E. We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church, which is His Body. Rev. 3:10
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