STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

What we believe

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 (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21).

The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Philippians 2:6).  God the Father is greater than all; the sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14).  The Son is the Word made flesh, the One begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18, John 1:14).  The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).

The Fall of Man and Redemption

Man, made in the likeness and image of God, is a created being.  Through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world.  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God".  "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one."  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 to God (Romans 5:15, 3:10, 3:23, I John 3:8).

Salvation

The Bible teaches that 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).

Water Baptism

Baptism in water, by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only.  This 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 wit: "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, and the Son and the Holy Ghost.  Amen".

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God, as promised by the Lord 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 utterance (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16, Acts 2:38-39, 19:1-7, 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.  Sanctification commences at the time of regeneration and continues until the consummation of salvation at Christ's return (Hebrews 12:14, Thessalonians 5:23, II Peter 3:18, II Corinthians 3:18, Phil 3:12-14, I 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 the laying on of hands.  It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of every member of the Body of Christ today (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-25, I Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5).

The Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Jesus

The angels said to Jesus' disciples, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."  His coming is imminent, and when He comes... "The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (Acts 1:11, I Thessalonians 4:16-17).   Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords and, together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

Hell and Eternal Retribution

The one who physically dies, without accepting Jesus as their Savior, will be hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire, with no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting.  The Lake of Fire is literal.  The terms "eternal" and "everlasting," used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20).

The Operation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit operate under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and are done decently and in order, especially during worship service.