Our Foundation in Biblical Truth and Christian Doctrine
The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for any statement of Faith, we believe the whole Bible to be the "Word of God" from Genesis to Revelation.
All scripture is inspired by God, as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16, and is useful for teaching, for reproof when necessary, for correction of self, and for training in righteousness. The Word of God is alive, and able to penetrate the spirit, convicting us of any action which is unrighteous. The scriptures provide a constant, moment-by-moment guide for living, preaching, teaching, counseling, correcting, and for understanding the heart of God and His will for our lives.
God is three separate persons and personalities, equal in their position as God. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. At the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:16, we find all three personalities present where the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice is heard from God the Father, proclaiming His Son Jesus.
Adam was God's perfect creation, innocent, without sin. Because of Adam's sin, we have inherited his sin nature and are separated from God. Jesus, God's only begotten Son (John 3:16), was sent into the world as our Redeemer to die for our sins and provide the gift of eternal life to anyone who will confess Him as Lord and Savior, believing that God sent Jesus to the cross, and raised Him from the dead.
Salvation requires repentance, faith in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God. The scriptural requirements include: Repentance (2 Cor. 7:9-10), Faith (John 3:14-18), Understanding God's Grace (Eph. 2:8-9), Christ alone (Acts 4:12), and a sincere desire to change (Rom. 12:2). Making Christ Lord requires obedience to the Word, and submission to the Lordship of Jesus.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the experience obtained subsequent to salvation. This experience was prophesied in Joel 2:28 that God would pour out His spirit on all flesh for the giving of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose is for power (Acts 1:5), and for the manifestation of the Gifts including speaking in other tongues, prophecy, interpretation of tongues, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, and discernment of spirits.
Sanctification is being made Holy, set apart for the service of God. It is both a process and an instantaneous gift at the moment of salvation. As we become washed and renewed in our minds and bodies by the Word of God, a deeper understanding of our obligations for holiness becomes a part of us, and we become conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29).
The Universal Church consists of all those who are believers in Jesus Christ. This church is the Body of Christ who is to serve Him until His second coming. The Local Church provides pastoral covering for its members, receives tithes and offerings, and serves as God's Lighthouse within the community, illuminating God's Word and purposes for all to see.
Divine healing is a basic tenet of the scriptures, and one of the miracles of signs and wonders that follow the preaching and teaching of God's Word. In James 5:14, the sick are called to go to the elders of the church to be anointed with oil and prayed for in the Name of the Lord. We should lay hands on the sick, anointing them with oil, and pray the prayer of faith in obedience to God's Word, expecting a miracle.
Jesus Christ was raised by God's power on the third day. According to 1 Thess. 4:15-17, the dead in Christ shall be raised from the dead, preceding those who are still alive in Christ, and then we shall meet Him in the air. All Believers shall then be with Him in Heaven. The unsaved will be resurrected for judgment because of their unbelief.
Water baptism is symbolic of washing away our sins, regeneration by burial of the old person and resurrection of the new person baptized into Jesus. Communion is symbolic of the eternal life provided through His death and resurrection, representing the New Covenant between believers and Christ. Both are commandments and sacraments filled with symbolic meaning.
Our Complete Statement of Faith
The ministry, as given in Ephesians 4:11, is divided into five areas of callings: "...and He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers."
In Revelation 20:1-6, the believers who are dead in Christ, will be raised to rule the earth for a thousand years as priests of God and Christ. The serpent, who is Satan, will be bound during this thousand-year reign of Christ, after which he will be released for a time until the nations are deceived by him and gather together for the war, until they are devoured by the fire from Heaven.
Hell, and the Lake of Fire were made for Satan and his angels, and for all those who are judged as unrighteous. These are all those who have not made Christ Lord and Savior. The Lake of Fire is mentioned only in Revelation 20:10 as the place for all who participate in the war of the nations. Satan and his angels will be tormented there forever.
2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:22 describe the new creation, which will be perfect like the first in the Garden of Eden. The Temple of Worship will no longer be needed. All will worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the New Jerusalem and Heaven on earth. The new creation will no longer need artificial light since illumination will be provided by the glory of God for all nations. Only the righteous will reside in the New City of Jerusalem.
Our beliefs are founded on the unchanging Word of God. Join us as we walk in biblical truth and experience God's glory together.