What We Believe
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:16,17
1. INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE
We believe that the Holy Bible is the written Word of the Living God. We believe it was inspired by the Holy Spirit and recorded by holy men of old. It is infallible in content and a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction which is truth without any mixture of error. The Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge us and reveals His great plan of salvation. It will remain eternally. We believe the Bible is the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. Therefore, we believe this Word should go into all the world and should be given first place in every believer’s life
(2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; and 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
2. ABOUT GOD
We believe there is one true God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, who is Spirit, infinite and eternal. God was manifested in the Old Testament as a Father, in redemption as a Son, and presently in the Church as the Holy Ghost. Each time He executes distinct operations in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:1; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 11:3; Hebrews 1:3; John 4:24; John 14:16-18; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.
3. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ, is true God and true man, who in His incarnation united to His divine nature a true human nature and so was both God and man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He perfectly revealed God and obeyed the Law. He, being sinless, died for our sins and rose again bodily. He ascended to heaven where He lives to make intercession for His Church and He will come again to complete His purposes of judgment and salvation.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah. 9:6; Matt 1:23; John 1:1-3, 14; Col 1:15; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.
3. ABOUT THE HOLY GHOST
We believe that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God that dwells within us (I Corinthians 6:19) whose purpose in the redemption of man is to convict of sin, regenerate the repentant believer, guide the believer into all truth, indwell all believers, and give gifts to those He wills that they may minister for the perfecting of the Church.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Luke 11:13; John 7:37-39, 14:16,17, 16:7-14; Acts 2:1-18
We believe that the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, is for all believers as promised by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:11), Jesus Christ (Acts 1:4-8), and Peter (Acts 2:38-41). The fulfillment of this promise was witnessed by early disciples of Christ (Acts 2:4, 10:44-47, 19:1-6) and is still operating in the Church today, until the body of Christ is made perfect.
4. ABOUT HUMAN BEING AND SIN
We were created, male and female, each in the image of God, but because of our disobedience and rebellion, sin entered the world. The result in that we all are now sinners by nature and practice, devoid of spiritual life and corrupted in every part of our being, guilty and condemned, and destined to permanent exclusion from the presence of God In hell.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:16-17,- Genesis 3:6-7,- Romans 3.9-23; Romans 5:12-14,- Gal. 3:22; Ephesians 2:1-3 (Eph. 2:1,2,12); 2 Peter 2:4-10, Revelation 20:11-15
5. ABOUT SALVATION
We believe that salvation is deliverance from the power of sin. The terms of salvation are repentance toward God for sin and a personal, heartfelt faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This will result in a new birth. Salvation is possible only through God’s grace, not by our works. Works are simply the fruit of salvation. God by His grace forgives and saves all who turn from their sin and trust in Him, justifying them through their faith in Him, giving, them new life by the Holy Spirit and an eternal home in heaven. True believers are kept by the power of God so that none is lost, but the idea that this secure position entitles one to sin with impunity is false.
Ephesians 1:3-8; Acts 26:20, Ephesians 2.-4-10; Romans 5:I; I John 5:11- 12,- John 10:27-29, Romans 6:1; John 14:1-6 (Acts 3:19,20; Rom. 4:1-5, 5:1; Eph. 2:8-10).
6. ABOUT BAPTISM
We believe that baptism in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ is the only God-given method of baptism, done soon after accepting Chris\t as personal Savior, as a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a new life.
Acts 2:38; Acts 4:12; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 8:12-16; Acts 19:5; Col. 2:12
7. ABOUT THE CHURCH (THE BODY OF CHRIST)
The Church is a universal and eternal body made up of all true believers, born of the water through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and born of the Spirit through the reception of the Holy Ghost. The Church gathers locally in many places at many times and is provided for the teaching, fellowship, worship and mobilization of believers.
Acts 2:42-47,- Romans 12.-4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27,- Ephesians 4:3-13,- Hebrews 10:24-25
8. ABOUT BLOOD ATONEMENT
We believe in the saving power of the blood of Jesus Christ and His imputed righteousness
(Acts 4:12; Rom. 4:1-9, 5:1-11; Eph. 1:3-14).
9. ABOUT BODILY RESURECTION
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:24-29).
10. ABOUT THE FUTURE
We believe in the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ with great glory to take His Church to Himself and to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace. We believe in the physical resurrection of the just and of the unjust, in the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and the eternal punishment of the unsaved.
Mark 13:32; John 14:1-4; Acts 1-10,11; Revelation 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Titus 2:11-14; John 5:28-29; Matt 25:46; John 3:36; James 5:8; Rev. 1:7; Revelation 20
11. ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL
We believe Scripture clearly sets forth the doctrines of eternal punishment for the lost and eternal bliss and service for the saved — a literal hell for the unsaved and Heaven for the saved (Matt. 25:34,41,46; Luke 16:19-31; John 14:1-3; Rev. 20:11-15).
12. ABOUT DIVINE HEALING
We believe God has used doctors, medicines, and other natural means as channels of healing; however, we believe divine healing is provided for believers in the atonement made by the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross (Isa. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24). We believe divine healing may be appropriated by the laying on of hands by the elders (James 5:14-16), by the prayer of an anointed person gifted by the Holy Spirit for healing the sick (1 Cor. 12:9), or by a direct act of receiving this provision by faith (Mark 11:23,24).
13. TITHING AND OFFERING
We practice tithing for the support of the Leader and offering for the support the ministry, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of all that God has blessed us with is the Biblical standard of tithing, and offering being a liberal giving.
Lev. 27:30; Mal 3:8-11; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7.
14. TELLING OTHERS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15