TENETS OF FAITH

The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the revealed will of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

 

Our God is one but is manifested in three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All are equal and eternal (1 John 5:7; Philippians 2:5-6). Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word made flesh (Mark 1:1, John 1:1 & 14) and the express image of God (Hebrews 1:2-3). The Holy Spirit proceeded forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal

(John 14:26; 15:26).

 

Man was created in the image of God. Through Adam's transgression, sin entered the world and separated man from God (Genesis 1:26; Romans 5:12-17). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, to redeem man and restore him to God. Man's only hope of redemption is through Jesus Christ (1 John 3:8; John 14:6).

 

Man's first step toward salvation is recognizing his sinful state (Romans 3:23) and his complete inability to restore himself to right standing with God (Ephesians 2:5-9).

The New Birth is the re-creation of man's sinful spirit into a new creature in Christ Jesus

(2 Corinthians 5:17) and is necessary for every person (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10;

1 John 5:12).

 

Baptism in water is man’s declaration to the world that he has died with Christ, and has been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). The Lord’s Supper is observed in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, His body and His blood, as open acknowledgment of being one with Him, and looking for His imminent return. Any born-again child of God may receive Holy Communion

(2 Corinthians 11:24-24, 28).

 

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is a free gift from God, promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers, and received subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance                (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 19:1-7).

 

The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. The Doctrine of Sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14). The Church is the Body of Christ, the living assembly through which God demonstrates His love, grace, and mercy for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Each believer is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, and as such should not forsake the assembly of the Body of Christ in the local church. (Eph 1:22; 2:19-22; Heb 10:25; 12:23).

 

The Bible defines marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman; a relationship that is intended to last a lifetime. This is the only form of marriage or legal union that is ordained of God and accepted by this church, and as such, no other form of marriage or union will be performed, allowed, or acknowledged (Genesis 2:23-24; Jeremiah 29:6; Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 7:2, Ephesians 5:22-33).

 

Throughout the Bible, God promises and makes provision for complete prosperity – spirit, soul, body, financial, and social – to those who hearken unto Him and who walk in obedience to His Word. Prosperity is a covenant right and is available to everyone who has been born-again and therefore entered into that covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 8:18; 28:11-13; Malachi 3:10-12, Joshua 1:7-8; Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2). Healing for the physical ills of the human body is an integral part of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, secured and made irrevocable by His blood, and is available to every member of the Body of Christ. Healing can be appropriated by faith in the Word of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands (James 5:14-15; Mark 16:18; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24).

 

Jesus shall return to earth as promised in the Bible (Acts 1:11), and that Second Coming is imminent (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Following the Great Tribulation, Jesus shall take His place on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, shall reign a thousand years (1 Timothy 6:14-15; Revelation 17:14, 19:11-16, 20:6).

 

The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Jesus 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 (Hebrews 9:27, 10:29; Revelation 19:20).