What We Believe

THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the one ever living, eternal God: infinite in power, Holy in nature, attributes and purposes: and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit, by emanation. (I Cor. 8:6; Eph 4:6; II Cor. 5:19;Joel 2:28). 

THE BIBLE INSPIRED
We believe that the Bible, the accepted Canon of the Sacred Scriptures, is a supreme revelation verbally inspired of God to man, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason, and is therefore our infallible, authoritative rule of faith and practice (John 17:17; Rom. 12:1,2; II Tim. 3:15-17; I Thes. 2:13; II Pet. 1:19-21).

THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We therefore believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal the Father and was the brightness of His Glory and the expressed image of His person. We believe that Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things, for by Him the worlds were made. We further believe that in Christ dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and that it is impossible to know the Father without knowing the Son (John 1:1-14; John 13; Colossians 1:15-19; 2; Hebrews 1). The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare: His virgin birth (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:30-35); His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22); His miracles (Acts 2:22;10:38); His substitutionary work on the cross (I Cor. 13:3; II Cor. 5:21); His bodily resurrection from the dead ( Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Cor. 15:4); and His exaltation to the right hand of God ( Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).     

THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Wherefore, we acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all things in heaven, and in the earth and under the earth (Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36; Romans 10:1-13; I Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:9-10).

THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man, by voluntary transgression, fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created, into a state of death in trespasses and sins; and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual depravity and death or separation from God in which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God, until he is delivered by the power of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God ( Gen. 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:21; Psalms 51:5; Rom. 6:23; John 8:32-36).

THE BELIEVERS FOUNDATION
We believe that each believer must lay a foundation of Biblical truth and experience upon which he builds his spiritual life of faith. These foundation stones are: repentance from dead works; faith toward God; the doctrine of baptisms; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; and eternal judgement (Heb. 6:1-2).

THE NEW BIRTH
We believe the words of Jesus that "ye must be born again"; that being born again signifies the partaking in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (John 3:3-7; I Cor. 15:1-4); that "by grace are ye saved, through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). We further believe that the emphasis for a continual walk in grace should be of heart, righteousness, and purity. We hold that all believers must live pure lives, being examples to both believers and unbelievers (Rom. 4hes. 4:12).:1-5' II Cor. 7:1; Col. 4:4; I Thes. 4:12).   

THE SEAL OF THE NEW COVENANT
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an important and necessary experience in the life of every believer, which is not dependent upon a believer's worthiness, but is a free gift of God. We further believe that the receiving of the Holy Spirit is the seal of the New Covenant, and that repentance, water baptism, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit constitute the full experience of regeneration or the new birth (John 3:3-7; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:13).    

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We therefore believe that all believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect to receive, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all believers in the early Christian Church (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 11:14-16). With the Baptism in the Holy Spirit comes such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8); a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28); and intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42).

THE PHYSICAL SIGN OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We hold that God has provided glossolalia as a prayer language for the purpose of intercession, praise, and communication with God, ant that all believers may speak with other tongues. The full consummation of the Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the spirit give utterance, and afterwards has a continual two-fold aspect, as speaking to God and speaking to men ( Isa. 28:11-12; Ezek. 36:26; Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:6; I Cor. 14). Mark 16:16).

THE SACRAMENT OF WATER BAPTISM
Therefore, we believe that water baptism is a vital part of the fullness of salvation. It is necessary for complete regeneration or the new birth, which is essential to laying a foundation for going on to spiritual maturity (Heb. 6:1-3). We further believe that it is the means whereby those who have been justified by faith in the blood of Jesus receive the Covenant sign of circumcision of heart, are made partakers in the burial of Christ, and become identified with Him in His resurrection. Moreover, we believe that water baptism is the taking on of a great responsibility because in it a person makes an everlasting commitment to God and His will. These commitments require that water baptism be administered only to those who have reached an age of accountability. The sacrament of water baptism is to be performed by immersion and in the name of Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17; Acts 2:38). It is a baptism into the Body of Christ rather than into a denomination or a dogma (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:19; I Cor. 12:12-13; Col. 2:9-14; 3:17; I Pet. 3:20-21; I John 5:5-8; Rom. 6). 

THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS
We believe that each believer should speak in tongues and covet to prophesy so that he might edify the whole church. "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted" ( I Cor. 14:31). We further believe that prophecy in the church is the sign of the end time visitation of God, for the "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Joel 2; Acts 2: I Cor. 14:1-5; Rev. 19:10). 

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT
We believe that the manifestations of the Spirit ( I Cor. 12) should be and must be operative in the church to enjoy the fullness of God. We also believe that these manifestations are imparted by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work or are operated by this one and self-same Spirit, dividing or distributing to each one individually just as He wills ( I Cor. 12:11).

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS
We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of hands for: 

(a) The confirmation and ordination of ministry by the laying on of hands by an assemblage of elders (Acts 13:1-3).

(b) The impartation of spiritual gifts when accompanied by prophecy and the laying on of hands by an assemblage of elders (I Tim. 4:14; II Tim.1:6).

(c) The impartation of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17-18).

(d) The ministry of healing to the sick (Mark 16:18).

(e) The confirming of the believers in the faith (Acts 14:22).

(f) The blessings and dedication of children (Mark 10:16).

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord’s Supper commemorates the death and suffering of Jesus Christ in sacrificing Himself for fallen man. It consists of bread (representing the body of Christ) and the fruit of the vine (representing the blood of Christ). Partaking the Lord's Supper is an expression of faith in sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ ( I Cor. 10: 16-17), and is enjoined on all believers until He comes ( I Cor. 11:26).

THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel. Therefore, salvation gathers into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as Justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation is in three tenses: 

(a) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin and is safe

(Luke 7:50; I Cor. 1:18; 2 ; 2:15; Eph. 2:5-8; II Tim. 1:9).

(b) The believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin

(Rom. 13:11; II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 2:19-20; Phil. 1:19; 2:12-13; II The. 2:13).

(c) The believer shall be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ 

(Rom. 13:11; Heb. 10:36; I Pet. 1:5; I John 3:2).Salvation is by grace through faith. It is a free gift, and wholly without works (Rom. 3:27-28; 4:1-8; 6:23; Eph. 2:8). The divine order is first salvation, then works ( Eph. 2:9-10; Titus 3:5-8)

THE UNITY OF THE BODY
We believe that we are one Body being members one of another, and that the basis of our fellowship is in Christ in the power of the Spirit ( Psalms 133; Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12; Eph. 2:13-22; 4:2-6; Col. 3:15).

THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe in the autonomy of the local church expression, and adherence to the Scriptural revelation of its life, ministry, and worship ( Matthew 18:20; Heb. 10:25; Eph. 4:6; Heb. 13:17; Titus 1:5-9; I Tim. 3; Heb. 13:15; Phil. 3:3; Eph. 5:18-20; Col. 3:16).

THE MINISTRY GIFTS GIVEN TO THE CHURCH
We believe in the ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers given to the church at the ascension of Jesus Christ; and that they continue to be needed and should be expected today. These ministry gifts of men that have been recognized and ordained to the Office of Elder, are assisted by ordained Deacons and other ministries who serve this Church Body ( Eph. 4:7-12; I Cor. 12:28; I Tim. 3:2-12; Rom. 16:1; Titus 1:5-9; Rom. 12).

THE CARE AND DISCIPLINE OF THE BODY
We believe that God has set elders in the local church to watch over the souls of the believers and to apply discipline when necessary to keep the unity of the church. We believe that discipline in the local church is to be carried out by the elders in accordance to the Scriptures ( Heb. 13:17; Matt. 18:16-20; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:17-18; I Cor. 2:6; II Thes. 3:11-12). 

THE BLESSED HOPE
We believe in the resurrection of those who are dead 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 ( John 5:28-29; I Thes. 4 ;16-17; Rom. 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Cor. 15:51-52; 16:22).

THE PERSONAL RETURN OF OUR LORD
We believe in the personal return of our Lord and the restitution of all things spoken by the mouth of all the prophets since the world began ( Matt. 23:39; 25:31; 24: 42-44; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:11; 3: 19-21; I Thes. 4:14-18).

THE FINAL JUDGEMENT
We believe that the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murders, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matt. 24:36-51; 25:46; Rom. 6:23; Ii Thes. 1:5-9; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8).

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
We believe that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; II Pet 3:13; Rev. 21:1).