WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Scriptures

The scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man. The Bible is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Peter 1:21).

The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three personalities. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Phil. 2:6). God the Father is greater than all (John 14:28), the source of the Word (Logos) and the Redeemer (John 16:28 and 1:14). The Son is the Word; flesh covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18 and John 1:14). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son (John 15:26) and is eternal.

Eternal Life and New Birth

Man’s first step towards salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance (II Corinthians 7:10). The new birth is necessary to all men (John 3:3-5), and when fulfilled produces eternal life (I John 5:12).

Redemption

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). 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 (I John 3:8).

The Church

The true church is the body of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 12:27), He being the head (Colossians 2:19). Its earthly constituents are men and women born of the Spirit, possessing eternal life. To it is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:1-10), necessary for the successful fulfillment of Christ’s great commission to the church as given to the disciples in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-20.

Water Baptism

Baptism in water is by immersion, and is a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39).

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ, to all believers in this dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth (Matthew 3:11, John 14:14-16, Acts 1:8; 2:4; 2:39; 10:44-48). He is accompanied with speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit himself gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4).

Sanctification

The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14). We believe sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and of dedication to God who is all holy (Romans 12:1-2, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12).

Holy Communion

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior (I Corinthians 11:26). It is our expression to the Father, through his Son, of our thanks for the giving of His Son upon the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. “This do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

Divine Healing

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-15). Healing is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of every member of the church today.

The Second Coming

The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” (Acts 1:11). His Coming is imminent. When He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).