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1. The Scriptures: We believe the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church. Passages supporting this statement are:

II Peter 1:20-21 - "1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 1:21 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."

II Timothy 3:16-17 - "3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Hebrews 1:1-2 - "1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"

Revelations 20:12 - "20:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

Revelations 22:18-19. - "22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore, it is and shall remain, the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.

2. The True God: We Believe there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That God is a Spirit and that He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and unchangeable in His being.

Genesis 1:1 - "1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

John 10:30 - "10:30 I and my Father are One."

John 4:24 - "4:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly."

I John 5:17 - "5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."

Psalms 139:7-10 - "139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Isaiah 46:9 - "46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,"

Romans 11:33 - "11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!

3. THE FALL OF MAN: We believe the sin of disobedience destroyed both Adam and Eve's relationship to God, thereby bringing instant spiritual death and eventual physical death upon them and all of their descendants, not by constraint but by the choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense of excuse.

Romans 3:23 - "3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Genesis 3:6-7 - "3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 3:7

I Timothy 2:14 - "2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

Romans 5:12 - "5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

John 3:18 - "3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

4. THE WAY OF SALVATION: We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial office of the Son of God. Who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Hom our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made full payment of atonement for our sins; 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 compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.

Hebrews 9:22 - "9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

Hebrews 1:1-3 - "1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:"

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

I Timothy 2:5 - "2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

John 3:16 - "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."

Matthew 1:18 - "1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."

John 1:12-14 - "1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

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

Hebrews 10:20-21 - "10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;"

5. JUSTIFICATION: We believe that men are justified in the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Acts 13:38-39 - "13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

Romans 1:17 - "1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Romans 3:21-24 - "3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God: 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

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

6. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION: We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which rejection involves sin in an aggravated condemnation.

Hebrews 2:3 - "2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"

Romans 6:23 - "6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

John 3:16-18 - "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. 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be save. 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth is not condemned already, because he hath not believeth in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Romans 1:16 - "1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

I Peter 3:18 - "3:18 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

7. GRACE REGENERATION: We believe that in order to be save, sinners must be regenerated of born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit; in connection with divine truth so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel, and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

John 3:5 - "3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

II Corinthians 5:17 - "5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Ephesians 5:18 - "5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

Romans 8:14 - "8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God."

Titus 3:5 - "3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost:"

8. REPENTANCE AND FAITH: We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, relying in Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

Romans 6:23 - "6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

John 5:24 - "5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my work, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

Galatians 3:4 - "3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain."

9. GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE: We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that is the most glorious display and unchangeable, that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy, that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe in the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance, and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

II Peter 3:9 - "3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

I Peter 1:2-20 - "1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling fo the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober a hope to end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in the last times for you,"

Romans 8:29 - "8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Ephesians 1:4-5 - "1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will,"

10. SANCTIFICATION: We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration, and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Healer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially, the word of God, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

I Corinthians 1:2 - "1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:"

Ephesians 1:1 - "1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:"

Hebrews 10:10 - "10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Jude 1:3 - "1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

I Thessalonians 5:23-24 - "5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. %:24 Brethren, pray for us."

Colossians 3:8-12 - "3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"

Romans 6:12 - "6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye shoul obey it in the lusts thereof."

Romans 12:1 - "12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present you bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Hebrews 9:28 - "9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

I John 3:2 - "3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

Philippians 3:20-21 - "3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

11.THE SECURITY OF BELIEVERS: We believe in the eternal security of the Believer.

I John 5:13 - "5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

John 10:28-29 - "10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

I John 5:5 - "5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Ephesians 4:30 - "4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

Romans 8:35-39 - "8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 3:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

II Timothy 1:12 - "1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Jude 1:24 - "1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"

12. THE CHURCH: We believe that a New Testament Church is an organized body of baptized believers practicing Scriptural ordinances and actively engaged in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Acts 2:41-42 - "2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Acts 2:47 - "2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Matthew 28:19-20 - "28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

13. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER: We believe that baptism is a scriptural ordinance requiring immersion of believers only to be administered by a New Testament church. We believe that the Lords Supper is a scriptural ordinance of the church, to be partaken of by obedient Christians of like faith.

Acts 8:38-39 - "8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."

Acts 2:41 - "2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Matthew 3:15-16 - "3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"

Corinthians 11:23-29 - "11:23 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: 11:24 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. 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 11:27 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. 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 11:29 for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

14. CHRIST RETURN FOR HIS BRIDE: We believe in Christ's imminent personal, visible, pre-tribulation, pre-millennial return for His bride, according to His promise.

John 14:3 - "14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Matthew 24:21 - "24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

Revelation 19:11-16 - "19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Fathful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

Revelation 20:1-15 - "20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

I Thessalonians 4:17 - "4:17 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."

15. PROVIDENCE: God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass; and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so not in any wise to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.

16. THE MEDIATOR: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners, He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people: He is the only mediator, the prophet, priest, and Kind of the church and sovereign of the universe.

17. THE RESURRECTION: The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God --- the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgement.

18. We further believe, as it is implied in the foregoing articles of faith, in the Genesis account of creation; the verbal inspiration of the Bible as the Work of God, a literal heaven and hell; a personal devil; the evangelization of the world, placing emphasis upon the task of reaching the individual with the gospel and its implications and that no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes may be substituted for the preaching of the Cross; also in the virgin birth, sinless life of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His vicarious atonement or payment for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His own precious blood.