WHAT WE BELIEVE!

Core values & beliefs
Maintaining historical, Biblical orthodoxy – embracing the authority of the scriptures and the activity of the Spirit.

THE SCRIPTURES

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

THE GODHEAD

Our God is One but manifested in three persons the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 2:6; John 14:21-26) God the Father is greater than all, and He is the source of the Word and the begetter. (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14) The Son is the flesh-covered Word, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning. (John 1:14; John 1:18; John 1:1) The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal. (John 15:26)

MAN, HIS FALL, AND REDEMPTION

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God. But through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In Romans 3:10 it says, “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil, and He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10; 1 John 3:8) 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. (Ephesians 2:8)

ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH

Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is available to all mankind, and when Jesus Christ is accepted as Savior, salvation takes place. He is born again. His spirit becomes alive to God eternally. (2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5)

WATER BAPTISM

Baptism in water is by immersion. It is a direct commandment of our Lord, and it is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39) The following recommendation regarding the water baptismal formula is adopted to do “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God. It is promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4)

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, which commences at the time of regeneration and continues until the consummation of salvation. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:30)

DIVINE HEALING

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by laying on of hands. It is provided in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)

RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN OF OUR LORD

The angels said, “…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner…” (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent. When He comes, “the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we shall rise.”