THE SCRIPTURES - The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New
Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in
matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine
(2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).
THE GODHEAD - Our God is one, but
manifested in three Persons - the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, being coequal
(Deut. 6:4;Phil. 2:6, John 1:14, John 1:1). God the
Father is greater than all; the Son, Jesus, was sent
by the Father and the Holy Spirit proceeds forth
from both the Father and the Son. (John 14:16; John
15:26). The Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son
of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of
the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, was buried,
was resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is now
seated at the right hand of God the Father and is
true God and true man.
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 says "...all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and
"...There is none righteous, no, not one." (Rom.
3:10; & Rom.3:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was
manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave
His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore
man back to God (Rom. 5:14; 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 (Eph. 2:8-10).
ETERNAL LIFE AND THE NEW BIRTH - Man's
first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that
leads to repentance. The New Birth is necessary to
all men, and when experienced, produces eternal life
(2 Cor. 7:10; John 3:3-5; 1 John 5:12).
WATER BAPTISM - Baptism in water is by
immersion, is a commandment of Jesus, and is for
believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the
Christian's identification with Jesus Christ in His
death, burial, and resurrection.
(Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT- The
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as
promised by Jesus Christ to all 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 expression.
(Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39;
Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4).
SANCTIFICATION - We believe in sanctification, living a life of
holiness, as a definite, yet progressive work of
grace, commencing at the time of the new birth and continuing until Christ's return.
(Heb. 12:14; 1 Thess.5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor.
3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:30).
DIVINE HEALING - Healing is the
privilege of every member of the Church today
provided through Jesus’ death on the Cross. Healing is for the physical ills of the human body
and is given by the power of God through the prayer
of faith, and by the laying on of hands. (James
5:14-15; Mark 16:18; Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:17; 1
Peter 2:24).
RESURRECTION OF THE CHRISTIANS AND THE RETURN
OF JESUS – Jesus will return. The angels
said to Jesus' disciples, “This same Jesus, who has
been taken from you into heaven, will come back in
the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
His coming is imminent. When He comes, "...the dead
in Christ will rise first. 17 After
that, we who are still alive and are left will be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever.”
(Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17).
HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION - The one
who physically dies in his sins without accepting
Jesus, is eternally lost. The lake of fire is
literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting,"
describe the duration of the punishment in the lake
of fire of those
who do not accept Jesus as their Savior. (Heb. 9:27;
Rev. 19:20).
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