The local church is self-governed.  It is a group of baptized believers associated by agreement in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel.  It is to glorify God by worship, fellowship, evangelism, discipleship, and ministry (Matt. 18:15-17; 28:18-20; Acts 2:37-47; 16:14-15, 30-34; Rom. 6; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Phil. 1:1).

The Bible teaches the following Baptist Distinctives:

     Biblical Authority - The Bible is the only rule of faith & practice (2Tim.3:16-17)

     Autonomy of each local church (Acts 6:1-7; 13:1-4; 14:23-27; 15:1-30)

     Priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:5-9; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 10:19-25)

     Two Ordinances:  Baptism (Acts 2:41) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20-34)

     Individual Soul Liberty (Rom. 14:5-12)

     Saved Church Membership (Acts 2:41-47)

     Two Offices:  Pastors and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:17-28)

     Separation of Church and State (Matt. 22:15-21; Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 5:29)

A New Testament church is a congregation which recognizes its own self-containing government as its highest authority for carrying out the will of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 2:3; 1 Tim. 3:1-16; Tit. 1:5-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 1 Cor. 11:2).  We believe that the local church is the center of God’s redemptive program for this age, and that every Christian is bound by Scripture to give his unhindered cooperation to the program of his local church (1 Cor. 16:2; Heb. 10:19-25; 13:17; 1 Tim. 3:15).