THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the one ever living, eternal God: infinite in power, Holy
in nature, attributes and purposes: and possessing absolute, indivisible
deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His
Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by emanation. (I
Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; II Cor. 5:19; Joel 2:28).
THE BIBLE INSPIRED
We believe that the Bible, the accepted Canon of the Sacred Scriptures,
is a supreme revelation verbally inspired of God to man, superior to
conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason, and is therefore
our infallible, authoritative rule of faith and practice (John
17:17; Rom. 12: 1,2; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
THE DIETY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We therefore believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal the
Father and was the brightness of His Glory and the expressed image of
His person. We believe that Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things, for
by Him the worlds were made. We further believe that in Christ dwelt all
the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and that it is impossible to know
the Father without knowing the Son (John 1:1-14; John 13;
Colossians 1:15-19; 2; Hebrews 1). The Lord Jesus Christ is the
eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare: His virgin birth
(Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:30-35); His sinless life
(Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22); His miracles
(Acts 2:22; 10:38); His substitutionary work on the cross
(1 Cor. 13:3; 2 Cor. 5:21); His bodily resurrection
from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Cor. 15:4);
and His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33;
Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).
THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Wherefore, we acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all things
in heaven, and in the earth and under the earth (Matthew 28:18;
Acts 2:36; Romans 10:1-13; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:9-10).
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man, by voluntary transgression, fell from a state of
righteousness and holiness in which he was first created, into a state
of death in trespasses and sins; and thereby incurred not only physical
death but also spiritual depravity and death or separation from God in
which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God, until he is
delivered by the power of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God
(Gen.1: 26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:21; Psalms 51:5; Rom. 6:23; John
8:32-36).
THE BELIEVERS FOUNDATION
We believe that each believer must lay a foundation of Biblical truth
and experience upon which he builds his spiritual life of faith. These
foundation stones are: repentance from dead works; faith toward God; the
doctrine of baptisms; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; and
eternal judgment (Heb.6:1-2).
THE GOSPEL OF
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel.
Therefore, salvation gathers into itself all the redemptive acts and
processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation,
imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. The Hebrew
and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety,
preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation is in three tenses:
(a) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin and is
safe (Luke 7:50’ 1 Cor.1:18:2; 2:15; Eph. 2:5-8; 2 Tim. 1:9).
(b) The believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin
(Rom. 13:11; 2 Cor.3:18; Gal. 2:19-20; Phil. 1:19; 2:12-13; 2
Thes.2:13).
(c) The believer shall be saved in the sense of entire conformity to
Christ (Rom. 13:11; Heb. 10:36; 1 Pet. 1:5; 1 John 3:2).
THE WORK OF REPENTANCE
We believe that repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ produces the work of Justification in the believer. Through faith
in the shed blood of Christ, the believer is brought onto the grounds of
the New Covenant and made a partaker of the death of Christ. This is the
initial step of salvation, and is not to be considered synonymous with
the complete work of the “new birth” (Luke 22:20; Rom. 5:1,9;
Heb. 13:20).
HELPING TO OPEN
UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S WORD
We believe in teaching and preaching the Word
of God with boldness so that all who hear the gospel message will be
blessed, admonished, challenged, and able to receive it with clarity
from those leaders in the church appointed to bring the Word of God in
either a preaching or teaching fashion. (Nehemiah
8:8)
THE IMPORTANCE OF
PRAISE & WORSHIP
We believe in the importance of
praise and worship which is a form of invocation for us to allow the
Holy Spirit to move in our midst. As we obey God in allowing the Holy
Spirit to move in our midst during our worship services, healings in our
spirits in areas of mental and emotional often causes the person to be
spiritually delivered from those bondages. Praise & Worship allows an
individual to break free of any spiritual hindrances. (Psalm 150:6, 2
Corinthians 3:17)
PREACHING & TEACHING
THE UNCOMPROMISED WORD OF GOD
We believe that all licensed and ordained ministers of the gospel of
this church as they have been challenged to preach as well as teach the
uncompromised word of God to bless, encourage, strengthen, and to allow
the Holy Spirit to convict and convert sinners and backsliders. We do
not endorse preaching and teaching the Word of God in a dogmatic,
condemning manner to discourage an individual. (Acts 5:42)
REACHING PEOPLE,
REGARDLESS OF NATIONALITY, RACE, CREED,
ETC.
We believe that God does not see color as mankind throughout the
longevity of this earth has. We will endeavor to minister to all people
from all walks of life without reservation. (Acts 17:26-28)
DELIVERANCE FROM
SPIRITUAL BONDAGE
We believe that God through the Holy Spirit can
deliver or “bring a person out from” hindering areas mentally as well as
spiritually. We teach individuals concerning exercising their faith in
God coupled together with messages from ministerial leaders in the
church will help them make informed decisions as well as aid them in
life.(Luke 10:17-20, Jeremiah 32:17, and Jeremiah 32:26-27)
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We believe in the monthly observance of Holy Communion as Jesus said in
his Word to his disciples. We view ourselves as disciples, followers of
Christ and we discipline our church to observe this monthly. The Lord’s
Supper commemorates the death and suffering of Jesus Christ in
sacrificing Himself for fallen man. It consists of bread (representing
the body of Christ) and the fruit of the vine (representing the blood of
Christ). Partaking the Lord’s Supper is an expression of faith in
sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (1
Cor.10:16-17), and is enjoined on all believers until He comes
(1 Corinthians 11:23-30).
THE SACRAMENT OF WATER BAPTISM
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
Therefore, we believe that water baptism is a vital part of the fullness
of salvation. It is necessary for complete regeneration or the new
birth, which is essential to laying a foundation for going on to
spiritual maturity (Heb. 6:1-3). We further believe
that it is the means whereby those who have been justified by faith in
the blood of Jesus receive the Covenant sign of circumcision of heart,
are made partakers in the burial of Christ, and become identified with
Him in His resurrection. Moreover, we believe that water baptism is the
taking on of a great responsibility because in it a person makes an
everlasting commitment to God and His will. These commitments require
that water baptism be administered only to those who have reached an age
of accountability. The sacrament of water baptism is to be performed by
immersion and in the name of the Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy
Spirit (Matthew
28:19; Acts
2:38). It is a baptism into the Body of Christ rather than into
a denomination or a dogma ( Mark 16:16; John 3:5;
Acts 2:38; 22:19; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; col. 2:9-14; 3:17; 1 Pet.3: 20-21; 1
John 5:5-8; Rom. 6).
THE 5-FOLD MINISTRY
GIFTS GIVEN TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
We believe in the ministry gifts
of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers given to the
church at the ascension of Jesus Christ; and that they continue to be
needed and should be expected today. These ministry gifts of men and
women that have been recognized and ordained to the Office of Elder, are
assisted by ordained Deacons and other ministries who serve this Church
Body (Eph. 4:7-12; 1 Cor.12:28; 1 Tim. 3:2-12; Rom. 16:1; Titus
1:5-9; Rom. 12).
THE CARE AND
DISCIPLINE OF THE BODY
We believe that God has set elders in the local church to watch over the
souls of the believers and to apply discipline when necessary to keep
the unity of the church. We believe that discipline in the local church
is to be carried out by the elders in accordance to the Scriptures
(Heb. 13:17; Matt. 18:16-20; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor.
2:6; 2 Thes. 3:11-12).
THE SEAL OF THE NEW COVENANT
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an important and
necessary experience in the life of every believer, which is not
dependent upon a believer’s worthiness, but is a free gift of God. We
further believe that the receiving of the Holy Spirit is the seal of the
New Covenant, and the repentance, water baptism, and the Baptism of the
Holy Spirit constitute the full experience of regeneration or the new
birth (John 3:3-7; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:13).
THE LAYING ON OF
HANDS
We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of hands for:
(a) The confirmation and ordination of ministry by the laying on of
hands by an assemblage of elders (Acts 13:1-3).
(b) The impartation of spiritual gifts when accompanied by prophecy and
the laying on of hands by an assemblage of elders
(1 Tim. 4:14; 2:Tim. 1:6).
(c) The impartation of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts
8:17-18).
(d) The ministry of healing to the sick (Mark 16:18).
(e) The confirming of the believers in the faith (Acts 14:22).
(f) The blessings and dedication of children (Mark 10:16).
THE BAPTISM OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT
We therefore believe that all believers are entitled to, and should
ardently expect to receive, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in
the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This
was the normal experience of all believers in the early Christian Church
(Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 11:14-16). With the Baptism in
the Holy Spirit comes such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the
Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8); a deepened reverence
for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28); and intensified
consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42).
THE PHYSICAL SIGN
OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We hold that God has provided glossolalia as a prayer language for the
purpose of intercession, praise, and communication with God, and that
all believers may speak with other tongues. The full consummation of the
Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is the initial physical sign of
speaking with other tongues as the spirit give utterance, and afterwards
has a continual two-fold aspect, as speaking to God and speaking to men
(Isaiah 28:11-12; Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:6; 1
Cor.14).
THE MANIFESTATION OF
SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO EDIFY THE CHURCH (THE BODY OF CHRIST)
We believe in the orderly use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to bless
the local church. Furthermore, we believe that God uses people in this
day in time in the many different spiritual gifts as outlined in 1
Corinthians chapter twelve. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11)
THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe in the autonomy of the local church expression, and adherence
to the Scriptural revelation of its life, ministry, and worship
(Matthew 18:20; Heb. 10:25; Eph. 4:6; Heb.13:17; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3;
Heb.13:15; Phil. 3:3; Eph. 5:18-20; Col. 3:16).
THE TITHE IS HOLY
We believe that the tithe (10 percent of one’s individual gross
earnings) is Holy unto God. We believe that “bringing all the tithes
into the store house” of the Local Church and giving freewill offerings
is to be practiced continually by all believers. It is an outward
expression of the Lordship of Christ in the believer and the unity of
the Local Church and the Body of Christ as it joins together in support
of the work of the Lord (Gen. 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Heb. 6:20;
7:1-10; Lev. 27:30-32; Prov.3:9-10; Mal. 3:6-18; Matt. 23:23; 1
Cor.16:1-2).
THE BLESSED HOPE
We believe in the resurrection of those who are dead in Christ and their
translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming
of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church (John
5:28-29; First, Thessalonians 4:16-17; Rom. 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor.
15:51-52; 16:22b).
THE PERSONAL RETURN OF OUR LORD
We believe in the personal return of our Lord and the restitution of all
things spoken by the mouth of all the prophets since the world began
(Matt. 23:39; 25:31; 24:42-44; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; 1
Thessalonians 4:14-18).
THE FINAL JUDGMENT
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ upon the direction of God the
Father will come back for the church, the Body of Christ. We will
endeavor to teach and preach this as we
prepare his people for Jesus Christ's return.
(Mark 13:31-37; Romans 14:12;
2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 4:5; Revelation 20:12).
THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
We believe that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth wherein
dwelleth righteousness (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13;
Revelation 21:1). |
