This Is What We Believe

The Bible is our all-sufficient rule of faith and practice. Hence this Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e. that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). The human phraseology employed in such statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all truth in the Bible, only that it covers our present needs as to these fundamental matters.

1. Holy Scriptures

   We believe that the entire Bible is the infallible and the inerrant Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit; a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct. It is superior to conscience and reason but not contrary to reason, to which nothing can be added or taken away. (II Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 2:2; II Peter 1: 21).
   
   

2. The Godhead

   The One True God – We believe there is but one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom   and   goodness; Maker and Preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead, there are three distinct Persons, of one substance, eternal, and equal in holiness, justice, wisdom, power, and dignity:
   The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28: 19; Luke 3:22).

   The Father
   The Father exists eternally as the Creator of heaven and earth the Giver of the law, to Whom all things will be subjected, so that He may be All in All. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:28).

   The Son
   We believe that the Son, Who is the Word of the Father and very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and the manhood (the divine and the human) were joined together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and perfect man, the only Saviour who actually suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile us to the Father and to make atonement for all the sins of the whole world. He was raised from the dead and now He is at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our High Priest (II Corinthians 5:18-21; Isaiah 53:4-12; John 1:14; Luke 1:27-35; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; Matthew 28:6; I Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:9,11; Philippians 2:9-11).

   The Holy Spirit
   We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, performing actions and possessing the attributes of deity. He has personal characteristics and individuals may relate to Him as a person. (Acts 5:3-4; John 16:13-14).
   
   

3. Angels

   • Angels - We believe that angels were created as intelligent and powerful beings to do the will of God and worship Him.

   • Demons - We believe that Satan, the originator of sin fell through pride and was followed by those angels who rebelled against God. These fallen angels or demons will be eternally punished in the lake of fire. (Revelation 5:11-12; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

   
   

4. Man, His Fall and Redemption

   Man was created good and upright; for God said: "Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness." But man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and consequently, incurred both spiritual and physical death, which is separation from God. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-27).

   
   

5. The Salvation Of Man

   • Conditions to Salvation - Salvation is received through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance before God. Man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Being justified by grace through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).

   • The Evidences of Salvation - The inward evidence, to the believer of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.

   
   

6. The Ordinance Of The Church

   • Baptism in Water - The ordinance of Baptism by immersion should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while their hearts have already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as an inner cleansing. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 10:22).

   • The Lord's Supper - 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 (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 2:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 2:26); and is enjoined upon all believers "until He comes" (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 2:24).

   
   

7. The Ordinance Of The Church

   All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect, and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church.

   With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, and 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 wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of new birth. (Acts 10:44-46; 15:7-9).

   • The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit - The Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4; 10:45-47: 19:6).

   
   

8. Sanctification

   • Baptism in Water - Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. The scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command, "Be ye Holy, for I am Holy." Entire sanctification is the   will of   God for   all believers, and   should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6; Romans 12:1-2).

   • We affirm the decision of the Apostles as declared in the First General Council held in Jerusalem. (Acts 15:20-29; 16:4; 21:25).

   
   

9. The Church

   All who are born again are members of the universal church, which is the Body and Bride of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:25b; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:15).

   The Local Church is a body of believers in Christ who have joined together to function as a part of the universal Church. It is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born, whose names are written in heaven. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).

   
   

10. The Ministry And Evangelism

    A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a  two-fold purpose;

    • The evangelization of the world (Matthew 28: 19-20)

    • The edifying of the  Body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 5:17).

    
    

11. The Ministry And Evangelism

    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 (Isaiah 53:4-5; (Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; James 5:14-16).

    
    

12. The Ministry And Evangelism

    • The Present State of the Dead - At death the souls of the believers pass immediately into the presence of the Lord, and these remain in total bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body. (2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:21, 24; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Romans 8:22-23). The souls of the unbelievers remain after death conscious of condemnation until the final resurrection and judgment of the unjust (Luke 16:22, 31; John 3:36; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 20:11).

    • The Rapture - The rapture, the blessed hope of the Church, is the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the living who shall be transformed, and the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected. For this event the believer should be constantly looking (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18: Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 57)..

    • The Tribulation - The rapture of the Church will be followed by the tribulation, during which the Church will be with the Lord. The tribulation will be a time of judgment on the whole earth (Revelation 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 5:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:12-13; Matthew 24:15, 21-22).

    • The Millennial Reign of Christ - The return of Christ to earth in glory will conclude the great tribulation and will introduce the millennial age which will bring the salvation of national Israel (2 Thessalonians 1:7; Romans 11:28; Revelation 19:11, 14: 20:1, 7).

    • The Final Judgement - There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged at the great white throne, according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil, his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43, 48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11, 15; 21:8)..

    • The Final Judgement - We, "according to His Promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:11).

    
    

Conclusion

We are a Bible-based church orthodox in theology. We believe in the hypostatic union and the two natures of Jesus Christ. We believe in one God and are trinitarian. We are a charismatic church who believes that both the charismatic and ministry gifts of the Spirit continue today.

As a church we distinguish ourselves from other charismatic churches in that we have an emphasis on the ministry of reconciliation, the ministry of healing, and the ministry of deliverance.