WHAT WE BELIEVE

The WORD of GOD (The Bible)

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to mankind, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason (2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 4:12). We believe the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Triune 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, i.e., as Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19).

Jesus is the Messiah

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 20:28-29). The Scriptures declare His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35), His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22), His miracles (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38; Luke 6:17-19), His substitutionary work on the cross (Colossians 1:14; Colossians 1:20); 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4), His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3), and His personal return in power and in glory (Acts 1:11; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He is co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent with the Father and with the Son. His ministry upon the earth is to convict and covert man as well as be the great paraclete (comforter, counselor, helper, intercessor, advocate, strengthener and standby) to the Church. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus to all believers and is received subsequent to and is distinct from the experience of New Birth. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:29; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is meant to empower the believer to be a witness of Jesus Christ by the preaching and demonstration of the Gospel. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are also evidence of this experience. Whereas there is one initial baptism, there are many subsequent infillings of the Spirit. The ultimate purpose of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is so that we, the believers, may have power to be witnesses (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2).

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 (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:17; Romans 5:12-21).

The Salvation of Man

Conditions of Salvation – Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. And, being justified by grace through faith, he became an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7).

Evidence of Salvation – The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).

The Great Commission

LORD Jesus gave us the authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. He calls us to proclaim the message that the kingdom of Heaven has come near to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and to drive out demons (Matthew 10).

The Gifts of the Spirit

We believe the Gifts of the Spirit are still for today and are received only through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12).

Baptism

The Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church, established two ordinances for the Church to follow: Water Baptism and Communion. Baptism in water, by full immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord. It is for all believers. This holy sacrament identifies the believer with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 10:22).

Communion

The ordinance of Communion is also a commandment of the Lord Jesus that must be received consistently until His return. Only believers can come to the Table of the Lord, which consists of the bread and the cup. The bread – His body, which was broken for us. The cup – His blood that was shed for us. Both elements are witnesses of the New Covenant believers now enjoy while prophetically declaring His soon return (2 Peter 1:4; 1 Corinthians 11:26).

Sanctification (The New Life in Christ)

God’s word calls us to live holy lives, not to continue life worldly as we were before we knew Him (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Scripture teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). 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 at Christ’s return. (I Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14)

The Church

The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit with divine appointments for the fulfillment of the great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:22).

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the three-fold purpose of leading the Church in: Evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20); worship of God (John 4:23,24); edification of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Healing

Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17).

Resurrection

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is the imminent and blessed hope of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:12; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Romans 8:23).

Promises

The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the Millennial reign of Christ on earth is the Scriptural promise and the world’s hope (Romans 11:26-27; Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 20:1-7).

Judgement (The Lake of Fire)

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10-15).

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21, 22).