I. GOD
We believe that there is only one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons, namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe each is a distinct Person, but all of one essence and all having the same nature, perfections, and attributes, and each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience. (Genesis 1:26; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19; I John 5:7)
II. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin Birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and atonement through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal and literal second coming in power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; I Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 4:15)
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, very God, existent with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the chief agent in regeneration, active in creation, conviction, preservation, sanctification and equipping the believer for a life of purity, power and service. We believe in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working in the life of the believer. (See statement on The Promise Of The Father) (Matthew 28:19; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3,4; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-14)
IV. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, inspired by the Holy Ghost, a revelation from God to men; the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason. We believe in the unique divine inspiration of all canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as originally given, so that they are infallibly and uniquely authoritative and free from error of any sort, in all matters with which they deal, scientific and historical as well as moral and theological. ( John 3:1-8; II Timothy 3:15, 16; II Peter 1:20,21)
V. SPECIAL CREATION
We believe in the special creation of existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and kinds of organisms in the six literal days of the creation week.
(Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:11)
VI. HISTORICITY
We believe in the full historicity and perspicuity of the Biblical record of primeval history, including the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all people, the literal fall and resultant divine curse on the creation, the world-wide cataclysmic deluge, and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel.
VII. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
We believe man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in Our image, 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; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
VIII. SATAN
We believe in the existence of a personal, malignant being called Satan who acts as tempter and accuser, for whom the place of eternal punishment was prepared, where all who die outside of Christ shall be confined in conscious torment for eternity. (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:2)
IX. THE SALVATION OF MAN
We believe that the Grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath 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 Ghost, and being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7; 1 John 1:7-9; Heb. 9:13-28)
X. BAPTISM IN WATER
We believe that the ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while their heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as an inner cleansing; thus they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47; Romans 6:4; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 10:22)
XI. THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “until He comes”. Foot washing: this is left to the discretion and option of the local church and pastor. (John 13:14: 1 Timothy 5:10)
XII. THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
We believe that all believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect, and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire; according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it, and subsequent to 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 24:49; Acts 1:4; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This wonderful experience of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9)
XIII. THE EVIDENCE OF BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
The believer’s Baptism in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4, 10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
XIV. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
We believe that the Scriptures teach a life of Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am Holy.” Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6)
XV. THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23)
XVI. THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM
We believe that a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (A) The evangelization of the world, and (B) The edifying of the body of Christ. (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:11-13)
XVII. DIVINE HEALING
We believe that deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17)
XVIII. THE SECOND COMING OR BLESSED HOPE
We believe that 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 blessed hope of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 11:15)
XIX. THE MILLENIAL REIGN OF JESUS
We believe that the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the scriptural promise and the world’s hope. (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-14; Romans 11:26,27; Revelation 20:1-7)
XX. THE LAKE OF FIRE
We believe that the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15)
XXI. THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
We, “according to His promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22)
We believe that there is only one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons, namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe each is a distinct Person, but all of one essence and all having the same nature, perfections, and attributes, and each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience. (Genesis 1:26; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19; I John 5:7)
II. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin Birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and atonement through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal and literal second coming in power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; I Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 4:15)
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, very God, existent with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the chief agent in regeneration, active in creation, conviction, preservation, sanctification and equipping the believer for a life of purity, power and service. We believe in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working in the life of the believer. (See statement on The Promise Of The Father) (Matthew 28:19; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3,4; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-14)
IV. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, inspired by the Holy Ghost, a revelation from God to men; the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason. We believe in the unique divine inspiration of all canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as originally given, so that they are infallibly and uniquely authoritative and free from error of any sort, in all matters with which they deal, scientific and historical as well as moral and theological. ( John 3:1-8; II Timothy 3:15, 16; II Peter 1:20,21)
V. SPECIAL CREATION
We believe in the special creation of existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and kinds of organisms in the six literal days of the creation week.
(Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:11)
VI. HISTORICITY
We believe in the full historicity and perspicuity of the Biblical record of primeval history, including the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all people, the literal fall and resultant divine curse on the creation, the world-wide cataclysmic deluge, and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel.
VII. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION
We believe man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in Our image, 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; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
VIII. SATAN
We believe in the existence of a personal, malignant being called Satan who acts as tempter and accuser, for whom the place of eternal punishment was prepared, where all who die outside of Christ shall be confined in conscious torment for eternity. (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:2)
IX. THE SALVATION OF MAN
We believe that the Grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath 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 Ghost, and being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7; 1 John 1:7-9; Heb. 9:13-28)
X. BAPTISM IN WATER
We believe that the ordinance of baptism by burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while their heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as an inner cleansing; thus they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47; Romans 6:4; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 10:22)
XI. THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “until He comes”. Foot washing: this is left to the discretion and option of the local church and pastor. (John 13:14: 1 Timothy 5:10)
XII. THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
We believe that all believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect, and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire; according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it, and subsequent to 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 24:49; Acts 1:4; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This wonderful experience of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9)
XIII. THE EVIDENCE OF BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
The believer’s Baptism in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4, 10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
XIV. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
We believe that the Scriptures teach a life of Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am Holy.” Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6)
XV. THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23)
XVI. THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM
We believe that a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: (A) The evangelization of the world, and (B) The edifying of the body of Christ. (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:11-13)
XVII. DIVINE HEALING
We believe that deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17)
XVIII. THE SECOND COMING OR BLESSED HOPE
We believe that 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 blessed hope of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 11:15)
XIX. THE MILLENIAL REIGN OF JESUS
We believe that the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth is the scriptural promise and the world’s hope. (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-14; Romans 11:26,27; Revelation 20:1-7)
XX. THE LAKE OF FIRE
We believe that the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15)
XXI. THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
We, “according to His promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22)