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, I Thess. 2:13, II Peter 1:21)

 

The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being equal.  (Phil. 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 flesh-covered, the one Begotten.  He 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 image of God.  Through Adam’s transgressions and fall, sin came into the world.  “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 work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God.  (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:14, and I John 3:8)

 

Eternal Life and the New Birth

Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance.  The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced, produces eternal life.  (II Cor. 7:10, John 3:3-5, and I John 5:12)

 

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, Romans 6:4, Col. 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)

The following describes the manner of water baptism:  Baptism occurs after the confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority.  “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.”

 

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 the 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 2:4, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 19:1-7)

 

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, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ’s return.  (Heb. 12:14, I Thess. 5:23, Phil. 3:12-14, I Cor. 1:30, II Cor. 3:18)

 

Divine Healing

Healing is for the physical and emotional ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer and faith and/or by the laying on of the 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 56:14-16, I Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17, Isa. 53:4-6)

 

Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord

The angels said to Jesus’s disciples, “…this same Jesus…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)

Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of lords.  Together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years.

 

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 to hear the Gospel or repent.  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 the saints in the presence of God.  (Heb. 9:27, Rev. 19:20)