Preamble: The teaching of Morgan Valley Church is based on the Bible. Our Statement of Faith reflects those doctrines that we consider essential to understanding, teaching, and practicing God’s Word interpreted:

The Morgan Valley Church affirms this Statement of Faith reflects God’s truth.

Section 1- The Holy Scripture: The Scriptures, consisting of 66 books which constitute the Old and New Testaments, are “God-breathed”. Each individual word and the aggregate of Scripture are the result of God’s supernatural, inspired authorship through the human writers. The Word of God, inerrant in the original writings and supernaturally and directly preserved by God, the Bible is the complete and unalterable special revelation of God and our final authority. (Mat 5:18; Jn 16:12-15; 2Ti 3:16, 17; 2Pe 1:20-21)

Section 2 – Dispensationalism: Interpreted in their normal sense, the Scriptures reveal divinely determined dispensations, or economies, defining man's responsibility towards God in successive ages. A dispensation is a divinely ordered stewardship (1Co 9:17; Eph 1:10, 3:2-10; Col 1:24-25) by which God administrates His relation with men, but not a way of salvation. Salvation is always by grace alone through faith alone regardless of the dispensation. The basis for God's unmerited provision of salvation has always been the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. (Rom 3:21-26)

Section 3 – The Godhead: God is one triune being, existing forever in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit –eternal in being and equal in deity, power and glory. (Deu 6:4; 2Co 13:14) God’s nature and character are unchanging (Mal 3:6; Jam 1:17) from everlasting to everlasting (Ps 90:2); He is all-powerful (Rev 19:6), all-knowing (Ps 147:5; 1Jn 3:20), and everywhere present (Ps 139:7-10; Jer 23:24) God is the creator of all things from nothing. (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:3; Section 8)

Section 4 – The Person and Work of God, the Son: The Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah/Christ, the Son of God from everlasting to everlasting. He became human without ceasing to be God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Luk 1:35), and He lived a sinless life. He came in order to reveal God and redeem sinful man. (Jn 1) The Messiah accomplished redemption (Eph 1:7) by His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, (1Pe 2:24) providing propitiation for the sins of the whole world (Rom 3:24,25; Heb 2:9; 1Jn 2:2), and justification of whoever will trust in Him is verified by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.

The Messiah bodily ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1Jn 2:1-2) Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David, will return in the same manner that He ascended (Acts 1:11), physically returning to the Mount of Olives (Zec 14:4). He will judge the nations, rule over the earth with a rod of iron (Rev 12:5, 19:15) from Mount Zion for a literal thousand years, and finally judge each person. Those who are “in Christ”, and have been made the righteousness of God in Him shall be forever with Him; those who are judged upon their own merits will be found guilty, and condemned to everlasting condemnation. (cf. Section 22)

Section 5 – The Person and Work of God the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead Who in this present age convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn 16:8-11); He regenerates and baptizes (1Co 12:12) into the body of Christ those who believe; and He indwells (1Jn 4:12-14), authenticates (Rom 8:9), guarantees (Eph 1:13-14) and seals believers unto the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30) The Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher Who guides believers into all truth. It is the privilege of believers to be filled with, and their duty to walk in, the Holy Spirit. (Jn 16:13; Gal 5:16; Eph 5:18; 1Jn 2:20, 27)

Section 6 – The Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is a major theme of Scripture, woven through nearly every book of the Bible, and shall be realized in the consummation of all things. Beginning with the mediatorial reign of Adam (Gen 1-3), and moving through subsequent dispensations and covenants, such as the reigns of and covenants with Abraham (Gen 15,17, 22) and King David (2Sa 7), heralded all along the way by prophets of all the ages, God is moving in the grand arc of history towards that day when He Himself will rule OVER the earth FROM the earth. (Rev 22, Sec 7: Covenants)

Section 7 – Covenants: God used covenants to present to men unshakable commitments in His dealings with humanity. (Gal 3:15-18) A covenant is similar to a contract, but in most cases, there is no “escape” clause; the parties are inescapably bound to the covenant. The covenants of the Bible include the Adamic (Gen 1-3), Noahic (Gen 8:21-9:17), Abrahamic (Gen 15, 17, 22), Mosaic (Deu 11), Palestinian (Deu 30), Davidic (2Sa 7), and the New (Jer 31:31-37).

Section 8 – Creation: (Gen 1; Is 40:21-31) The triune God, without the use of existing materials or secondary causes, over six literal days (Ex 20:8-11) brought into being – immediately and instantaneously by the word of His mouth – the whole universe (Neh 9:6).

Section 9 – Marriage and Family: Marriage and family are sacred institutions ordained by the God Himself from the very beginning of human history. Marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman. Any other definition of marriage is contrary to the clear teachings of the Bible and hence against the expressed design and desire of God. (Gen 1:26-28; 2:20b-24) Sexual intimacy is a wonderful gift of God that is only to be expressed between a man and a woman within the context of marriage. (Rom 1:26-27; 1Co 7:1-4; 1Th 4:3-5; Heb 13:4) The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image (Gen 1:27; 1Pe 3:7).

The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. (Eph 5:22-33) Children, from the moment of conception (Ps 139:13-16), are a blessing and heritage from the Lord (Ps 127, 128). Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. (Prov 6:20-22; 13:24; 22:6) Children are to honor and obey their parents. (Eph 6:1-4)

Section 10 – The Personality of Satan: Satan is a created being (Job 1:6), the author of sin, the tempter in the fall, (Gen 3) the declared enemy of God (Is 14:12-17) and man, and the “god of this age”. (2Co 4:3-4) He shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Mat 25:41; Rev 20:10)

Section 11 – The Depravity of Humanity: Humanity was created morally perfect, in the image and likeness of God. (Gen 1:26,27) In Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature (Rom 5:12-21), and became alienated from God. Every person is a sinner by nature, and commits sin against God. (Rom 3:22-23) Apart from God, mankind is unable to recognize or remedy his sinful condition. (Rom 3:10-11) As the Holy Spirit illuminates and draws every person to Christ (Jn 1:9; 12:32), each one is capable of obediently responding to God’s call by committing his trust to the provision and person of Jesus Christ.

Section 12 – Salvation and Security: The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people (Tit 2:11; 1 Jn 2:2) as a representative, substitutionary sacrifice. (1Pe 1:18-19) All who trust Him are saved (Jn 1:12) by His grace through faith (Eph 2:8-10) on the ground of His shed blood and not our works. They are then "accepted in the beloved," kept by God's power, and secured in Christ forever. (Jn 10:27-30; Rom 8:38-39; Jud 24) Every saved person possesses two natures,[1] with command (Rom 6:12-14; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:8-17; 1Pe 1:13-16) and provision made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16). All claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural. (1Jn 1:8-10) It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, and that the Bible clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh. (Gal 5:13)

Section 13 – The Church: The Church, which began with the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, (Act 2:1-13, 47) is the Body (Eph 1:22-23; 1Co 12) and Bride of Christ (2Co 11:2). It is the spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of the present age. God’s intention for the church is to use it to sanctify (Eph 5:25-33) and perfect the saints to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-16) The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Act 20:17; Tit 1:5)

Section 14 – Church Offices: The Scriptures prescribe two offices within the church in this present age. These are pastor (or elder or bishop; terms referring to differing functions of the same office) and deacon. Pastors serve the body through teaching the doctrine of the scripture, prayer, and oversight of the body, whereas deacons focus on administration and attending to the physical and temporal needs of the members. (Act 6; 20:17, 28; 1Ti 3; Tit 1)

Section 15 – Church Ordinances: The Lord Jesus Christ established two ordinances for the Church in this present age: believer's water baptism, practiced by immersion, (Mat 28:18-20) and the Lord's Supper, observed obediently as a memorial of His death (1Co 11:23-26). These ordinances are not a means of saving grace. (1Co 1:17)

Section 16 – Missions: It is the obligation of the Christian to witness by life and by word to the truth of the Gospel; making disciples in all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded. (Mat 28:18‑20; Acts 1:8; 2Co 5:17-21) It is the responsibility, obligation, and priority of the Church to train, send, and support evangelists to preach the gospel of the Cross of Jesus Christ in implementation of the Great Commission.

Section 17 – The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts: Jesus Christ gives His Church evangelists and pastor-teachers. These gifted men are to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. (Eph 4:7-14) The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts upon believers for Christian service and for the edification of the Church.(Rom 12:3-8;  1Co 12:4-11; 1Pe 4:10-11) The Church Age was initiated through the ministry of the apostles and prophets accompanied by sign gifts to confirm their message. These sign gifts gradually ceased by the time of the completion of the New Testament. (1Co 13:8-10; 14; 2Co 12:12, Heb 2:1-4) God hears and answers prayer in accord with His own wisdom and desires, including for the healing of the sick and afflicted. (Jn 14:12-14, 15:7; Jam 5:14-15; 1Jn 5:14-15)

Section 18 – Biblical Separation and Unity: We believe that the saved should be separated unto the Lord Jesus Christ, (Rom 12:1-2) necessitating holy living in all personal and ecclesiastical associations and relationships (1Jn 2:15-17). It is the believer's responsibility to endeavor to maintain the unity of the faith (Mat 18:15-17; Rom 14:13; Eph 4:1-6) while separating from apostasy and from those who have deviated from and rejected biblical doctrine and behavior (Rom 16:17; 2Th 3:11-14; 2Ti 3:5; Tit 3:10, 2Jn 9-11). Every proposed alliance must be considered in the light of our commitment to biblical separation. (2Co 6:14-18)

Section 19 – The Departure of the Saints: The Lord Jesus will personally gather His redeemed ones in an imminent, pre-tribulational, and premillennial appearing, commonly termed, “The Rapture”, and celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb for seven years, while progressively judging the unbelievers on the earth (1Th 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:9; 2Th 2:3-4; Tit 2:13, Rev 3:10).

Section 20 – The Second Advent of Christ; the Millenial Kingdom: After a seven‑year Marriage Supper of the Lamb, The Lord will return to earth with His saints in power and glory to judge the nations (Zec 14:4-11; Rev 19:11-21, 20:1-6) and to reign for a thousand years in a literal earthly kingdom from the Throne of David in Jerusalem.(Rev 20:4-6)

Section 21 – The Everlasting State: All men will be resurrected bodily (Jn 5:28-29), the saved to everlasting life in the everlasting Kingdom (Mat 25:34), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment and death. (Mat 25:46, 2Th 1:7-10, Rev 20, 11-15) The souls of the redeemed are, at physical death, absent from the body and present with the Lord (2Co 5:8), where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection (Luk 23:43), when spirit, soul and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. The souls of unbelievers are, at death, absent from the body and in conscious misery (Luk 16:19-26) until the second death (Rev 20:11-15), when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment.

[1] The term "nature(s)" in this section refers to an inherent disposition of a person which affects the conduct and character of that person.