WHAT
WE BELIEVE
This statement is not
inspired, but the truth within is held to be essential to our church. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the
Bible, only that it covers fundamental truths that we believe.
- THE
SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from
God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and superior to conscience
and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Tim. 3:15, 17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Heb.
4:12).
- THE
ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally
self-existent, self-revealed “I AM” and has further revealed Himself as
embodying the principles of relationship and association, by simultaneously
existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43:10, 11;
Matt. 28:19).
-
MAN: HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us
make man in our image and after our likeness.” But man, by voluntary
transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God (Gen. 1:26-31; Gen. 3:17; Ro. 5:12-21).
- THE
SALVATION OF MAN
a.
Conditions of Salvation
The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to
all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become heir of God according
to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11, 3:5-7, Ro. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47).
b.
Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is
the direct witness of the Spirit (Ro. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is
a life of holiness (1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Tim. 1:9).
-
BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be
observed (as commanded in the Scriptures) by all that have repented of their
sins and in their hearts have believed on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In
doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that
they have also been released to walk with Him in newness of life (Matt. 28:19;
Acts 19:47,48; Ro. 6:4).
- THE
LORD’S SUPPER (COMMUNION)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and
fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing in a memorial to His
suffering and death, and prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all
believers "until He comes" (John 6:48,51, 53-57; Luke 22:19,20; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1
Cor. 11:25).
- THE
PROMISE OF THE FATHER
All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek
the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire.
With it comes the infilling of power for life and service, and the bestowment of
the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1
Cor. 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience
of the New Birth (Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
-
SANCTIFICATION PROCESS
By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the
command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy. ”Sanctification is the will of God for all
believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word
(Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15,16; 1 Thess. 5:23,24; 1 John 2:6).
- THE
CHURCH
The church is the holy body of Christ, the habitation of
God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her
great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the Church, and their
names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
-
MINISTRY
Divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has
been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the
world, and (2) The edification of the body of Christ (Mark 16:15,20; Eph.
4:11-13).
-
DIVINE HEALING
Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement
of Christ and is the privilege of all believers (Isa. 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:16, 17;
Mark 16:18; John 5:14).
- THE
BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ
and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the
Lord, is imminent and is the blessed hope of the church (1 Thess. 4:16; Ro.
6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51,52).
- THE
MILLENNIAL REIGN OF JESUS
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the
salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth
are scriptural promises and our hope (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19: 1l-16; Ro. 11:25;
Rev. 20: l-7).
- THE
LAKE OF FIRE
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet,
and whosoever is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned
to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and brimstone, which is
the second death (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15).
- THE
NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
We, as promised in the scriptures, look for a new heavens
and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:l).
- THE
GIFT OF TONGUES AND TONGUES
The gift of tongues is a spiritual gift given to believers
when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:10; 12:28-30). The primary
use of the gift of tongues is for the edification of the Church (Acts 2:2-4;
19:6). Tongues (prayer language) are given to the believer for personal
edification (1Cor. 14:2,4a).
- THE
RESTORATION OF THE WHOLE MAN
That in Christ’s sacrificial and substitutionary death,
there is provision for the restoration of the whole man. (1 Thess. 5:23).
SPIRIT – salvation from sin and condemnation (Eph. 1:7).
SOUL – deliverance from satanic oppression and bondage
(Mark 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:25, 26).
BODY – healing of sicknesses and diseases (Matt. 8:17; 1
Peter 2:23)
- THE
FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY GIFTS
A divinely called and scriptural ordered ministry has been
provided for the purpose of building up the local assembly in unity, faith and
knowledge so that the local assembly will attain to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ. Apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers have
been given by our Lord Jesus for the equipping of the saints for the work of the
ministry and for the edification of the body of Christ. All of these gifts
should minister together in the local church. (Eph. 4:11)
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