Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

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

The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Deut. 6:4, Phil. 2-6). God the Father is greater than all, the Sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter ( John 14:28; 16:28, 1:14).
The Son is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1; 1:18; 1:14).

The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 14:16, 15:26). We believe that the Lord Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells and equips the Christian for godly living and service. We also believe that signs and wonders as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the Kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its mission. (Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; Acts 4:29-30; Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:10-14

The Fall and Redemption of Humanity

Man is a created being, and 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. 3:23, 3:10). 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; I 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. 2:8-18).

Eternal Life and New Birth

The goodness of God leads men and women to repentance. The new birth is available to all of humanity, and when experienced produces eternal life ( II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12, 3:3-5).

Water Baptism

Baptism in water is 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; Acts 8:36-39).

Baptism In The Holy Spirit

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. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:6,17; Acts 1:8, 2:28, 39; 19:1-7; 2:1-4).

Sanctification

The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the sanctification as a definite, work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ’s return ( Heb. 12:14; I Thess. 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; I Cor. 1:30).

Divine Healing

Divine 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 the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today (Mark 16:18; James 5:14, 15; I Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4, 5).

Resurrection and the Return of Christ

The angels said to Jesus’ disciples, ” … this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” His coming is imminent. 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 Thess. 4:16, 17).

Christ shall return to the 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. 5:10: 20:6).

Hell and Eternal Retribution

The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting 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).

The Church and It’s Mission

We believe that the church is God’s primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purpose in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of the ministry, God has given the church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of saints.