What We Believe
THE SCRIPTURES
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
THE GODHEAD
Our God in one but manifested in three persons-the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:6; Matt. 3:16-17).God the Father is greater than all; the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:20-28; John 1:14).
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 10:30).
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).
Our God in one but manifested in three persons-the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:6; Matt. 3:16-17).God the Father is greater than all; the Source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:20-28; John 1:14).
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 10:30).
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).
MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:12; Rom 3:23; Rom. 3:9-10; I John 3:8; Gal. 3:13-14).
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:12; Rom 3:23; Rom. 3:9-10; I John 3:8; Gal. 3:13-14).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8).
ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH
Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men and, when fulfilled, produces eternal life (II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5).
WATER BAPTISM
Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men and, when fulfilled, produces eternal life (II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5).
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted, to wit: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3-11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4).
SANCTIFICATION
The Bible teaches that without Holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing as the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Heb. 12:14; I Thess. 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; I Cor. 1:30).
DIVINE HEALING
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is brought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the redemptive work of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mk. 16:18; James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Is. 53:4-5).
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD
The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When he comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17).
SANCTIFICATION
The Bible teaches that without Holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing as the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Heb. 12:14; I Thess. 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; I Cor. 1:30).
DIVINE HEALING
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is brought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the redemptive work of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mk. 16:18; James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Is. 53:4-5).
RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD
The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When he comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17).
Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lords of Lords, together with His saints, who shall be kings and priest, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 20:6).
HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20; Heb 6:1-2).
COMMUNION/ THE LORD’S SUPPER
We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes (I Cor. 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Is. 53:5; I Cor. 11:24). The cup represents the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Heb. 9; I Cor. 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is our salvation and receive it (I Cor. 11:28-30). For if we receive it unworthily without giving it honor as our salvation, we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor. 11:27).
LAYING ON OF HANDS
A simple belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, and is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism.
Laying on of hands for healing (Mark 5:22-23, 28-31, 41; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12)
Laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6)
Laying on of hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing and to cultivate the anointing (I Tim. 4:14)
Laying on of hands for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Tim. 4:14).
