STATEMENT OF FAITH
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A. THE SCRIPTURES. The Bible is the inerrant, inspired
Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Bible
we accept as our infallible guide in matters
pertaining to conduct and doctrine.
(II Tim 3:16, I Thess 2:13)
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B. THE GODHEAD. Our God is One living and true God,
Everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness,
the maker and preserver of all things. And in
unity of this Godhead, there are three persons
(or personalities) of one substance, power and eternity
- The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
(Phil 2:6, Mat 3:15-17)
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C. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION. Man is a created
being, made in the image and likeness of God.
Through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came
into the world. Jesus Christ, The Son of God, was
manifested to undo the work of the Devil. He gave
His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore
man to God.
(Rom 5:12, Rom 3:2, 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)
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D. ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH. Mans first step toward
salvation is Godly sorrow that works repentance.
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)
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E. WATER BAPTISM. Baptism in water is a direct command
of our Lord and is for believers only. The
ordinance is an outward and visible symbol of an
inward and invisible work. Water baptism symbolizes
the Christian's identification with Christ in His
death, burial and resurrection.
( Mat 28:19, Rom 6:4, Col 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)
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F. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. The baptism in the Holy
Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord
Jesus Christ to those who are believers in the Lord
Jesus Christ.
(Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:5)
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G. 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 at the time
of regeneration and continuing until the
consummation of salvation.
(Heb 12:14, Thess 5:23, II Pet 3:18, II Cor 3:18, Phil 3:12-14)
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H. DIVINE HEALING. Healing is for the physical and
emotional ills of the body and is wrought by the
power of God through the prayer of faith, and by
the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. It
is the privilege of every member of the Church
today.
(Mark 16:18, James 5:14-20, I Pet 2:24, Mat 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-6
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I. 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 to meet Him,
then those believers who are physically still alive
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
(Acts 1:11, I Thess 4:1-17)
He shall return to the Earth as King of Kings and Lord
of Lords and together with His saints, He shall
reign a thousand years. (Rev 20:6)
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J. 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 punishment of the damned
in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and
meaning of endless existence as used in describing
the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God.
(Heb 9:27, Rev 19:20, Heb 6:1-2)
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K. COMMUNION -- THE LORD'S SUPPER. We partake of the
Lord's Supper to show the Lord's death until He
comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord's broken body
and the cup symbolizes the new covenant in His
blood which provides us with forgiveness and
relationship with God. We judge ourselves before we
receive it for we know if we receive it unworthy
(without giving it honor as the symbol of our
salvation and considering our brothers), we are
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
(I Cor 11:23-31)
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L. LAYING ON OF HANDS. In obedience to the example and
words in the Bible, we believe in laying on of
hands for blessing, for healing of the sick, to
confer office, to receive the Holy Spirit, to
receive anointing and for ordination to consecrate
and receive the necessary ministry tools.
(Mark 10:13-16, Mark 5:22, Acts 8:16-18, I Tim 4:14)
