Tenets of Faith

The Scriptures
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God, written by men but inspired by the Holy Spirit. The scriptures are an infallible guide to salvation, Christian worship, and matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The Godhead
The Scriptures teach that there is one and only one true God. Even though our God is one He is manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Deuteronomy 6:4; Philippians 3:6).

God the Father is greater than all; the Sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:14).

The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 14:16; 15:26).

Man, his Fall, and Redemption
Man was (is) created in the likeness and image of God, Through Adam's transgression and fall sin came into the world. The Bible says, "...all have sinned, and all come short of the glory of God," and "...There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:23; 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:14; John 3:8).

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 now acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8-10).

Eternal Life and the New Birth
Man's first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that leads to repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life (2 Cor. 7:10, 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5).

Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. Baptism is a symbol of the Christian's identification when Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).

The following is our recommended form regarding water baptism: "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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Baptism In The Holy Spirit
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers and is received subsequent (and/or simultaneous) to the new birth. Once a believer receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit he or she receives the ability to speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives he or she utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38, 39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4).

Sanctification
The Bible teaches the 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 at Christ's return (Heb. 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical and emotional ills of the human body and is brought about by the power of faith. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today (Mark 16:18; James 5:14,15; 1 Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4,5).

Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord
The angels said to Jesus' disciples, "...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in the same manner as you have seen him go into heaven." 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..." (Rev. 5:10; 20:6).

Hell and Eternal Retribution
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death. The term "everlasting" is used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire, and carries the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the Presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20)