STATEMENT OF FAITH ON THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
We believe the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. We believe the original manuscripts are the products written by men, inspired by the Holy Spirit. We accept the Bible in its entirety as the inerrant, trustworthy Word of God. We accept it as the final authority in all matters. The Scripture guides us in truth and still applies for us today. (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21; Matt. 24:35)
THE GODHEAD
We believe that there is one true living God but manifested in three distinct parts – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co–equal. (Phil. 2:6)
- God the Father – We believe that God the Father is an infinite, personal Spirit who is perfect in holiness, wisdom, and power. He is love and concerns Himself in mankind’s affairs. We believe the Father is the source of the Word (Logos).
- God the Son – Jesus Christ is God and that He is God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the seed of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life living in the Word of God from the beginning. He pre-existed with God and gave up His position, humbling Himself, and became incarnated as a man. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind. We believe that God the Son is the Word flesh-covered. (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14) In Jesus, all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form. (Col. 2:9)
- God the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is God. He came forth from the Father to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals Jesus Christ. He is also the one who regenerates and sanctifies believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the comforter who guides, convicts, and enables believers to live in holiness. He is also the one who empowers believers for ministry. He comes and indwells in all who believe in Jesus Christ. God the Holy Spirit proceeds forth from the Father and is eternal. (John 15:26)
SALVATION
We believe that mankind is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. We therefore believe all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. We believe 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; Rom. 3:10; Rom 3:23; 1 John 3:8) We believe that salvation is the gift of God to man and it is separate from works and the law. It is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Eph. 2:8) We believe to receive salvation we must accept and confess Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God and ask Him to forgive our sins. As a result, sins are forgiven and we have a new spirit as the seed of God’s light enters our spirit. We are born again. This new birth does not make our actions and decisions immediately perfect; it is the beginning of a new way of life allowing God through His faithfulness to conform us to His nature. (John 14:6; Eph 2:6-10; Rom 10:9-13; 2 Cor 5: 21; Rom 5:10; Phil 1:6)
WATER BAPTISM
We believe that water baptism is by immersion and is a direct commandment of Jesus to believers. It is to be consummated immediately after committing to the Lordship of Christ. This ordinance is a personal and public statement of faith identifying 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
We believe that Christ sent the Holy Spirit to empower His church to fulfill the great commission. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an additional impartation that empowers, strengthens, comforts, and endues the believers to increase in the nature of Christ. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to every believer and is received subsequent to the New Birth. We believe in the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit 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 in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in the body as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 as manifested in the early church.
SANCTIFICATION
We believe the Bible teaches without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, that begins at the time of salvation and continues throughout life. (Heb 12:14; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; Phil 3:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:30)
DIVINE HEALING
We believe divine healing and miracles are still for today and have not passed away. Healing may come in various ways, such as through the prayer of faith, by anointing with oil, or by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every believer. (Mark 16:18; James 5:25; 1 Peter 2:24; Matt 8:17; Isa 53:4,5; Mark 6:13; James 5:14-16)
THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe and acknowledge the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus and His crucifixion for the atonement for our sins. He was the Passover Lamb and fulfilled the Feast of Passover. It is a holy ordinance that testifies of our union with Him and of the remissions of our sins through His sacrifice on the Cross. (Luke 22:19)
RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS
We believe in the Rapture of the Church and the additional literal, physical, personal, and visible return of Jesus Christ with His saints to the earth to establish His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, and the eternal blessing of the righteous. We believe the one who 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 repenting. We believe that both sinner and saint will live forever according to their final choice. (Luke 17:34-37; Matt. 5:5; Matt 24:31; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:11; 1 Corin 15:52; 1 Thess 3:13; 1 Thess. 4:16,17; 1 Thess 5:2,9; Heb 9:27; Jude 1:14; Rev 3:10; Rev 19:20)