The word church comes from the Greek, Ecclessia, meaning called-out assembly. The word only meant a local gathering of people who were called to meet. The "universal church" is an oxymoron, for how can the entire world assemble together if they are scattered abroad.

What the Bible consistently shows is "the church at..." These are local churches in various areas. The church at Corinth, the church at Ephesus, the church at Caesarea Philippi, etc. When many assemblies are addressed, they are referred to as churches (think Paul's letter to the churches at Galatia).

The confusion comes from people's misunderstanding of salvation, baptism, and Christ's body. When Paul calls the church at Corinth the body of Christ, in 1 Corinthians 12:27, he is not speaking of Colossi. Yet, Colossi is also the body of Christ (Colossians 3:15)...but at Colossi. They are not the body at Corinth. The epistles are written to specific churches and this is who is addressed. Local bodies of saved and baptized believers who assemble together.

Follow the context and you will see that when the term "church" seems to be applying to a universal body, it is actually referring to a local body mentioned elsewhere in the passage (think of Paul persecuting the church in Acts 8:1-3, which context shows is at Jerusalem, which then scatters)

Salvation has been the same for all believers for all time. Those in the old testament believed and were saved just as we are today (think Abraham's belief being accounted unto righteousness, Romans 4:1-3). The thief on the cross was saved just as David and Paul were, through faith in God.

This means that salvation does not come from baptism and does not make someone part of "the church". Acts 2:41 bears this out. Those who gladly received his word (believed) were baptized and added unto them (the church at Jerusalem).

This however, does not mean that only church members will be saved. "Baptist Briders" as they are called, are incorrect in their view that only the bride or church will be saved. The Bible teaches that ALL who believe will be saved but only the faithful members of local churches will be in the bride ("the bride hath made herself ready" Revelation 19:7).

The bride will dwell in the city and all other believers will be without the city and can go to and from.

We hold to the King James Version as it makes it simple for all to have one Bible with which we study, memorize, read, and quote. It keeps us all on the same page.

Although it has some archaic language, it is the best english translation of the Bible. This is due to a number of reasons:

1. The famous "thee's" and "thou's" are singular versions of "you" and the "ye's" and "you's" are plural versions. This makes statements far less ambiguous in English

2. It contains many italicized words which are not found in the actual manuscripts but used to better translate into our english way of speaking. This allows for us to easily see what translators added and what was originally contained within the verse.

3. It follows the textus receptus, also known as the received text. This version of the Bible contains verses that many newer versions omit and yet these same verses are quoted by early believers deemed "the early church fathers" . This text largely agrees with the majority text and all differences either agree with "the early church fathers" or do not change the original meaning of the text (think unicorn or book of life).

4. Any new Bible version that wishes to be sold for profit must change enough of the original text to be lawfully viewed as a distinct work. This leads to minor changes that have major effects on understanding (think "you are being saved" vs “ye are saved”1 Corinthians 15:2 or the numerous replacements of Jesus' name to "he" or the removal of words or phrases).

   This is why so many will say to read many versions of the Bible to get a better understanding as no one translation is 100% accurate. Either God has preserved His Word in its entirety or we are forever striving to get closer and closer to His full truth.

We believe in the continued use of all the gifts of the Spirit, save for those that the Bible shows are no longer around. This is made evident by a couple of places in scripture:

1. Nobody in the new testament magically received powers after they believed. Jesus empowered the apostles, the Holy Spirit came upon those at Pentecost, and the apostles empowered other believers.

   Pentecost has passed, the apostles have died, and Jesus has ascended. There is no longer any means of receiving these gifts. They were given to a select group and only a minuscule few were able to give them to others.

2. 1 Corinthians 13:8, 10 "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away...But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

   This entire chapter is all about the sign gifts. They would cease because that which is perfect (the complete Bible) would come and do away with that which is incomplete (sign gifts). These gifts were only partially beneficial for the local people that could experience them but the Bible would be good for all people of all time.

   As Paul states, he only did these things in part or incompletely but eventually would have something complete. Much like how a child finally becomes a complete adult who puts away childish things.

3. Very few people in scripture had these gifts (very few people spoke directly with God or could do miracles). It was used sparingly and for the purposes of proving God while His Word had not yet been fully written down. Now that we have His completed word, we have all the tools we need to believe.