STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the infallible guide in matter pertaining to conduct and doctrine (II Timothy 3:16, I Thess 2:13, II Peter 1:21).

 

We believe our God is One, but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Phil 2:6, Matthew 3:16-17).

 

We believe 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.  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 5:12, Rom 3:23, 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 (Eph 2:8).

 

We believe man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance.  The 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).

 

We believe baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only (Matt 28:19, Rom 6:4, Col 2:12, Acts 8:36-39).

 

We believe the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire is a gift from God as 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 (Matt 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 2:4).

 

We believe 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 Peter 3:18, II Cor 3:18, Phil 3:12-14, I Cor 1:30).

 

We believe 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 for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-20, I Peter 2:24, Matt 8:17, Isa 53:4-5).

 

We believe that Jesus’ coming is imminent (Acts 1:11, I Thess 4:16-17).  Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings and the Lord of lords, and together with His Saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev 20:6).

 

We believe 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 the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God (Heb 9:27, Rev 19:20, Heb 6:1-2).

 

We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death till He comes (I Cor 11:23-31).  The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Is. 53:5, I Cor 11:24).  The cup represents the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Heb 9; I Cor 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is our salvation and receive it (I Cor 11:28-30) for if we receive it unworthily – without giving it honor as our salvation, we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor 11:27).