Our Beliefs

​ 1. The Scriptures​​​​

The  Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God  (2 Timothy 3:16) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will  for the salvation of men, and constituting the Divine and only rule of  Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:21). ​ 

 

2. The Godhead​​

We believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting,  infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the Creator of all  things, visible and invisible, and Preserver of all things (Romans 1:20;  Colossians 1:16). In the unity of this Godhead, there are three persons  of one individual essence, who are co-equal, co-existent and  co-eternal; namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew  3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1,2, 18; 10:33; 14:26;  15:26; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14). The Son is the eternally begotten  of the Father, and accepted earthly limitations for the purpose of  incarnation, being true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Ghost  and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the just for the  unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are  justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead  according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty  on High as our great High Priest, and He will return again to establish  His Kingdom of righteousness and justice. The Holy Spirit is a Divine  Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the Comforter sent by the  Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide and to teach the believer, and to  convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (John  16:8). ​ 

 

3. Man, His Fall and Redemption

Man  is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but  through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world (Romans  5:12). "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans  3:23). "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans  3:10). 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 to God (1 John 3:8). ​ 

 

4. Salvation​​​

Salvation  is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the  cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance  and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed  within us is the gift of eternal life (2 Corinthians 7:10; Titus 2:11;  Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7). Salvation is the gift of God  to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace  through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God  (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Man is a free moral agent and can at any time after  the new birth experience turn away from God and die in a state of sin,  with the consequences of hell to look forward to. ​ 

 

5. The Ministry

God,  through the Holy Spirit, definitely calls such as He desires to serve  as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and  specifically endues the one called with the talents and gifts peculiar  to that office or offices (Ephesians 4:11, 12). Under no circumstances  should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the  calling is distinct and evident. ​ 

 

6. Water Baptism​​

Baptism  in water is by immersion, a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew  28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the  Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and  resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39). The following  recommendation regarding the water baptism formula is adopted: "On the  confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, and by  His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,  and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." ​ 

 

7. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost​​

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God,  as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this  dispensation of time, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John  14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 2:38, 39; 10:44-48). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost  is accompanied by speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself  gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4). ​ 

 

8. Sanctification

The  Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Hebrews  12:14). 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 13:12; 2  Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11;  John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). ​ 

 

9. The Lord’s Supper​​

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior; and  being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to  Christian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27). The time and frequency of its  observance is left to the discretion of each congregation (1  Corinthians 11:26). Only unfermented grape juice, the fruit of the vine,  as recommended by our Lord (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18)  shall be used in connection therewith. ​ 

 

10. 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 by the laying on of hands (Mark  16:18; James 5:14, 15). It is provided for in the atonement of Christ  and is available to all who truly believe. ​ 

 

11. The Resurrection of the Just​​

The  Bible promises, "This same Jesus...shall so come in like manner" (Acts  1:11). 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" (1  Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to  earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, and together with His saints,  who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years  (Revelation 20:6). ​ 

 

12. Setting a Time for the Lord’s Return

It is unwise to teach that the Lord will come at some specified time,  thereby setting a date for His appearing. It is also unwise to teach,  preach or publish visions of numbers and dates which would tend to fix  the time of the second coming of the Lord (Mark 13:32, 33).
 

13. Tithes​​

We recognize the scriptural duty of all our people, as well as ministers,  to pay tithes as unto the Lord (Hebrews 7:8). Tithes should be used for  the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of the gospel  and work of the Lord in general and not given to charity or used for  other purposes (Malachi 3:7-11; Hebrews 7:2; 1 Corinthians  9:7-11; 16:2).