Our Beliefs
THE SCRIPTURES
The
Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who
spoke and wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them. We accept the New
Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, as our infallible guide in
matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter
1:21).
The Godhead Our God is one, but manifested in three
persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal
(Philippians 2:6). God the Father is greater than all; the sender of the
Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14). The
Son is the Word made flesh, the One begotten, and has existed with the
Father from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18, John 1:14). The Holy
Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal
(John 15:26).
The Fall of Man and Redemption Man, made in the
likeness and image of God, is a created being. Through Adam's
transgression and fall, sin came into the world. For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and to give
His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore mankind to God (1 John
3:8).
Salvation The Bible teaches that 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
(Ephesians 2:8).
Water Baptism Baptism, by immersion, is a direct
commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. This ordinance is a
symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death,
burial and resurrection (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12,
Acts 8:36-39).
Communion Instituted by Jesus prior to His going
to the cross. It represents the covenant we have with God through the
sacrifice of Jesus. It's are symbolic of His Body (bread) and His Blood
(wine). Communion is to be taken only by believers. It is a meal of
Covenant. 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 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.
Sanctification begins at the time of regeneration and continues until
the consummation of salvation at Christ's return. Hebrews 12:14, 1
Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians
3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Holiness Holiness is the continuous process in which we are becoming transformed into the character of Christ. John 17:17.
Tithing
Tithes - The first ten percent (10%) of any increase in your life.
(gross, gifts, investment, etc). Malachi 3:8-11, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:8,
1 Chronicles 29:14.
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost The Baptism
in the Holy Ghost and fire 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. This experience is accompanied by the
initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself
gives utterance (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16, Acts 2:38-39, 19:1-7, 2:4).
Divine
Healing Mark 16:18, James 5:14-25, 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah
53:4-5 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. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the
privilege of every member of the body of Christ today. Resurrection of
the Just and the Return of Jesus The angels said to Jesus' disciples:
This same Jesus...shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go
into heaven (Acts 1:11).
We believe in the personal return of
Jesus and the bodily resurrection of the just. One who physically dies
and has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior will be resurrected to
eternal life. Hell and Eternal Retribution The one who physically dies,
without accepting Jesus as their Savior, will be hopelessly and
eternally lost in the lake of fire, with no further opportunity of
hearing the Gospel or repenting. 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 denoting the duration of joy
and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation
19:20). We believe that one who physically dies without accepting Jesus
as their Savior will be resurrected to eternal damnation. The Operation
of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit The gifts of the Holy Spirit operate
under the direction of the Holy Spirit and are done decently and in
order, especially during worship service. 1 Corinthians 12:1–14:31