Statement
of Faith
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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, I
Thess 5:23, II
Pet 3:18, II
Cor 3:18, Phil
3:12-14)
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, Matt
8:17, Isaiah
53:4-6)
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)
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)
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)
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
5:22-23, Acts
8:16-17, I
Tim 4:14)
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