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Statement of Faith
The Scriptures
The Old and New Testament are the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. In the Word, we find the revelation of God's eternal and unchanging will for men of all ages. The Word is the divine and final authority for the Christian life. (1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:21)
The Godhead
There is one God, the Creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (John 14:28, John 14:28)
Jesus our Savior
Jesus Christ is the union of God and man. He is True God and True Man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is presently seated at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. (Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 7:25-26)
Man's Fall and Redemption
Man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin, which resulted in his spiritual death and separation from God. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. This process of regeneration, referred to as being born again in the Word, takes place through a combination of faith and confession. As a person makes the decision to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and confess with his mouth the lordship of Jesus in his life, a miracle of regeneration by the Holy Spirit takes place. A new Christian is born into the Kingdom of God. For him, old things are passed away, and all things are new! (Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:8)
The Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Matthew 3:11, Luke 24:49, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:4, Acts 3:8, Acts 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)
Water Baptism and Communion
Water baptism and communion are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are not, however, to be confused with or regarded as a means of salvation. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for justification and salvation. (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Acts 8:36-38)
Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please God. The Word tells us that the just (those who have been justified by the Blood of Jesus) shall live by faith. The redemptive work of Jesus not only provided salvation for the believer, but healing and prosperity as well for our spiritual, soulish, and physical man. We are redeemed from the curse of the law - poverty, sickness, oppression, and any other thing that prevents us from fulfilling His plan. Our lives can be prosperous and healthy in every realm as we walk in the light of this redemption by faith in God's Word. (Hebrews 11:1-6, Galations 3:13)
The Church
The universal church is composed of all those who are born again. Through the new birth, we are united together in the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lord and head of the Church, and as provided leadership for the local church through the ministry gifts, which only He can give. Every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. (Genesis 14:12, Ephesians 1:23)
The Return of the Lord
The pre-millenial second coming of Jesus Christ is two-part in nature. He will come in the air to resurrect the righteous dead, and catch away the living saints. He will then come to the earth to establish His physical kingdom and begin His thousand-year reign. (Acts1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 20:6)
Hell and Eternal Retribution
There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead; the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord and the unbeliever to judgment, and eternal punishment. (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20) |
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