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 they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament and The New Covenant as recorded is the New Testament. We accept it, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)
The Godhead
We believe that there is only one true and living God, existing in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each is a distinct Person, but they are all of one essence; they all have the same nature, perfection and attributes, and each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence and obedience. (Genesis 1:1-3, 26; Matthew 3:16,17; John 1:1,14, 10:30, 14:26, 15:26; Matthew 28:19)
Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to destroy the work of the devil and gave his life, shedding his blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 3:9-11, 23; 5:6-12; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 John 3:8)
Salvation
We believe that salvation has been provided for all mankind through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Man's first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is necessary for all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life. (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 7:10; 1 John 5:12; Hebrews 9:22)
Water Baptism
Baptism in water by immersion is a direct command of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is symbolic of the Christian's identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:38, 8:36-39) The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted: "On confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of Jesus, Amen."
The Holy Spirit and The Spirit Filled Believer
We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. We believe in speaking in other tongues, as the Spirit gives the utterance. We believe in the operation of the nine Gifts of the Spirit and encourage our people to live so that these gifts may be manifest in their lives. (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6; I Corinthians 12:4-11)
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. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:30)
Giving
We believe that tithes and offerings should be freely given to your local church. The local church is the place of membership where God has called you to receive His Word on a consistent basis and to grow spiritually. We believe in giving alms to the poor, sick, homeless and others in despair. (Mal. 3:10; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6)
Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and it is the privilege of every member of the body of Christ today. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)
Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord
The coming of Jesus 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." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Acts 1:11)
Hell and Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sin without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned carries the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in describing the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelations 19-20; Hebrews 6:1-2)
Communion-The Lord's Supper
We partake of the Lord's Supper to show the Lord's death until he comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord's broken body. The cup represents the new covenant in His Blood, which provides for us forgiveness and a relationship with God. We judge ourselves and realize that this represents our salvation and we receive it. If we receive it unworthily, without giving it honor as the emblem of our salvation, we are guilty of the body and blood of our Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:23-31; Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:22)
Laying on of Hands
The Laying on of hands is a simple belief that power or anointing or another necessary quality can be transmitted by one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practices it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing. It is our grounds for baby dedications rather than infant baptism. Scripture provides examples of laying on of hands for healing, to confer office, to receive the Holy Ghost, to believe words spoken, to receive and cultivate the anointing, for ordination and to consecrate and receive ministry tools. (Mark 5:22-23, 28-31, 41; Acts 6:2-6, 8:16-18, 19:11-12, 28:8; 1 Timothy 4:14)
Marriage
We believe in the sacredness of marriage between one man & one woman and family commitment. We promote strong family values. (Ephesians 5:31-33; Ephesians 6:104; Matthew 19:5; Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:24)
The Scriptures
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament and The New Covenant as recorded is the New Testament. We accept it, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)
The Godhead
We believe that there is only one true and living God, existing in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each is a distinct Person, but they are all of one essence; they all have the same nature, perfection and attributes, and each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence and obedience. (Genesis 1:1-3, 26; Matthew 3:16,17; John 1:1,14, 10:30, 14:26, 15:26; Matthew 28:19)
Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to destroy the work of the devil and gave his life, shedding his blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 3:9-11, 23; 5:6-12; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 John 3:8)
Salvation
We believe that salvation has been provided for all mankind through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Man's first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is necessary for all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life. (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 7:10; 1 John 5:12; Hebrews 9:22)
Water Baptism
Baptism in water by immersion is a direct command of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is symbolic of the Christian's identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:38, 8:36-39) The following recommendation regarding the Water Baptismal formula is adopted: "On confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of Jesus, Amen."
The Holy Spirit and The Spirit Filled Believer
We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. We believe in speaking in other tongues, as the Spirit gives the utterance. We believe in the operation of the nine Gifts of the Spirit and encourage our people to live so that these gifts may be manifest in their lives. (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6; I Corinthians 12:4-11)
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. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:30)
Giving
We believe that tithes and offerings should be freely given to your local church. The local church is the place of membership where God has called you to receive His Word on a consistent basis and to grow spiritually. We believe in giving alms to the poor, sick, homeless and others in despair. (Mal. 3:10; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6)
Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and it is the privilege of every member of the body of Christ today. (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)
Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord
The coming of Jesus 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." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Acts 1:11)
Hell and Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sin without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned carries the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in describing the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelations 19-20; Hebrews 6:1-2)
Communion-The Lord's Supper
We partake of the Lord's Supper to show the Lord's death until he comes. The bread symbolizes the Lord's broken body. The cup represents the new covenant in His Blood, which provides for us forgiveness and a relationship with God. We judge ourselves and realize that this represents our salvation and we receive it. If we receive it unworthily, without giving it honor as the emblem of our salvation, we are guilty of the body and blood of our Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:23-31; Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:22)
Laying on of Hands
The Laying on of hands is a simple belief that power or anointing or another necessary quality can be transmitted by one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practices it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing. It is our grounds for baby dedications rather than infant baptism. Scripture provides examples of laying on of hands for healing, to confer office, to receive the Holy Ghost, to believe words spoken, to receive and cultivate the anointing, for ordination and to consecrate and receive ministry tools. (Mark 5:22-23, 28-31, 41; Acts 6:2-6, 8:16-18, 19:11-12, 28:8; 1 Timothy 4:14)
Marriage
We believe in the sacredness of marriage between one man & one woman and family commitment. We promote strong family values. (Ephesians 5:31-33; Ephesians 6:104; Matthew 19:5; Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:24)