WE BELIEVE
The Scriptures Inspired
The Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and serves as the rule of faith and ethical conduct. It is the Holy Bible the believer should make a lifetime commitment to study for the perfecting of their spiritual growth.
Scripture Reference: II Timothy 3:15-17; II Timothy 2:15; John 8:32; Joshua 1:8
The One True God
The one true God with a everlasting existence who reserves uncontestable sovereignty. Through his omnipotent and omnipresent characteristics God revels himself to man as the Father; as Jesus Christ (the Word of God in flesh); and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; I John 5:7; John 1:1-14; Isaiah 43:10, 11
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
(a) His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35).
(b) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).
(c) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38).
(d) His work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
(e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 2; 1 Corinthians 15:4).
(f) His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).
The Fall and Salvation of Man
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. There is salvation for every lost and sinful man. Salvation is redeemed through confession and belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19; John 3:16;
Romans 10:7-10
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to and should earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14- 16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20). The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit may also be witnessed by the physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use. The transformed life and the “Fruit of the Spirit” is the greatest evidence the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Reference: Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6; Galatians 5:16-25; I Corinthians 6:19
Sanctification
A lifestyle of sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15, 16).
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. Sanctification can be realized by daily renewing the mind and by offering the mind and body continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter1:5). Man must sanctify themselves from violence, criminal activity, lies, vituperative language, drunkenness, adultery, fornication, sexual perversion/lascivious, and abuse of drugs.
Scripture Reference: Hebrew 12:14; I Peter 1:15-16; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:24; Ephesians 5:26-27; Romans 6:22; Romans 1:16-32; Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 18; Leviticus 20:7-27; John 15:3; Romans 8:5-8
Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17; James 5:14-16
Divine Deliverance
Deliverance is a privilege from God and empowered by the Holy Spirit; through fasting and prayer.
Divine Deliverance will set possessed and oppressed individuals free from demonic spirits and/or the bondage of social ills.
Scripture Reference: John 8:36; Matthew 17:14-21; Matthew 18:18; Mark 5:1-13; Matthew 8:16, 28 Matthew 9:32; Luke 10:19; Mark 3:15; Mark 6:13; Genesis 27:40; Isaiah 10:27; Isaiah 58:6
The Return of Christ
The return of Christ includes the rapturing of the saints, which is our blessed hope of eternal life; world without end.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 21:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-18
The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked will be judged according to their works. Whosoever 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.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-50; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8; Psalm 9:17; Isaiah 14:9; Isaiah 5:14
Prayer
A commitment to Prayer is the believer’s divine and continuous connection to the Almighty God.
Scripture Reference: James 5:16; II Thessalonians 5:17; II Chronicles 7:14-15
Praise and Worship
A commitment to Praise and Worship is a privilege of the believer to please the Almighty God.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 100:4; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 150; II Chronicles 5:11-14;
John 4:23
Church Membership
Church membership provides believers with fellowship, spiritual growth, evangelism, and outreach.
Scripture Reference: Luke 14:23; Hebrews 10:23-25; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 133:1;
Psalm 122:1; Psalm 100:4
Giving/Sowing
A commitment to financial support of the Church in tithes and offerings is important to success of the Church and the fruitfulness of the believer.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 8:22; Malachi 3:8-19; Luke 6:38; Colossians 3:22-25;
II Corinthians 9:7; Proverbs 3:9; Exodus 25:2; Leviticus 27:30-31
The Ordinances of the Church
Baptism in Water
Water Baptism is a publc declaration of a new believer; symbolicly being buried and resurrected into a new life in The Lord Jesus Christ. All who repent of their sins, confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in the resurrection of Christ qualify to be baptized in the authority of
The Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reference: Colossians 2:12; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2:35-38; Acts 19:3-5; Matthew 28:19; Colossians 3:17
Holy Communion
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements--bread and the fruit of the vine--is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ; a memorial of His suffering and death; and a prophecy of His second coming; and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!" Sharing in Holy Communion we remind ourselves of the price Jesus paid for our salvation.
Scripture Reference: I Corinthians 11:23-30; John 6:53-58
Washing of Feet
The Washing of Feet is the symbolic expression of our Christ-like humility and commitment to servant hood to all mankind.
Scripture Reference: John 13:2-7
Holy Matrimony
Holy Matrimony is the covenant made between a man and a woman to live faithfully and lovingly married until death separates them; or if sin egregiously interferes with the individual’s ability to successfully remain married to each other.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 2:21-25; Ephesians 5:22-33; Genesis 3:16; Colossians 3:18-19; Mark 10:1-12; Deuteronomy 24:1-4
Laying on of Hands
Laying on of Hands by the Elders of the Church should not be suddenly, but reverently executed as a point of contact to impart the anointing of the Holy Spirit for various purposes within the ministry of the Church.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 48:13-20 (for blessings); Mark 16:18 & James 5:14 (for healing); Acts 8:14-19 & Acts 19:6 (to receive the Holy Spirit); I Timothy 4:14-11;
II Timothy 1:6 (for affirmation of gifts); I Timothy 5:22 (lay hands suddenly on no man)
Child Blessing
Blessing of Children is a sacred time to publically acknowledge children as gifts from God; ask the Lord for help to be adequate and Godly parents; and to commit to be raise the child in an appropriate Christian home.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:1-6; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6
Committal of the Dead
Committal of the Dead celebrates the life of the sleeping saint and reminds the living that it is precious for the saint to die in the Lord and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Committal of the Dead is also a time to bring comfort to the living.
Scripture Reference: II Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 14:13; I Thessalonians 4:13-18