WHAT WE BELIEVE

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The Scriptures

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

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The Godhead

Our God is One, but manifested in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal, (Phil. 2:6). God the Father is greater than all; the Source 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 1:14; John 1:18). 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 the image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23) and “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one,” (Rom. 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of satan and He gave His life and shed His blood to restore man back to God (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:8). Salvation is the free gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, producing works acceptable to God, (Eph. 2:8).

Eternal Life and New Birth

Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that produces repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled, produces eternal life, (2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5).

Water Baptism

Baptism in water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with 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 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. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides believers for life and service. This baptism brings the gifts and enablements of the Holy Spirit and their uses to the forefront of the ministry to the Body of Christ. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth and is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterane, (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4).

Sanctification

The Bible teaches that without holiness, no man can see the Lord. We believe that sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (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

The redemption provided by Jesus Christ includes more than the forgiveness of sins.  His work on the cross was complete and provided salvation for man's spirit, soul and body. Healing is also an integral part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, (Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24; Gal. 3:13-14; John 14:12; Matt. 8:17; Isa. 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 as you have seen him go into heaven,” (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent. When He comes, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God: and 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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord,” (1Thess. 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, (Rev. 20:6).

Hell and Eternal Retribution

The one who physically dies in his sin without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire, and therefore, has 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, (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20).