I. THE SCRIPTURES . The Bible
is the inspired Word of God, the product of Holy Men of old who spoke
and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We accept the New
Covenant as recorded in the New Testament as our infallible guide
in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (II Timothy 3:16,
I Thess. 2:13, II Peter 1:21)
II. THE GODHEAD . Our God is
One, but manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:6, Matthew 3:16,17).
God the Father is greater than all; the Source of
the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14).
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the
Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father
from the beginning (John 1:1; John 1:18; John 1:14; John 10:30).
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father
and the Son and is eternal (John 15:2).
III. MAN, HIS FALL, AND REDEMPTION .
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but
through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. "All
have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "As it
is written, there is none righteous, no not one." 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 back
to God (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Romans 3:9,10; I John 3:8; Galatians
3:13,14).
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).
IV. ETERNAL LIFE AND NEW BIRTH .
Man's first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance.
The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces
eternal life (II Cor. 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5).
V. WATER BAPTISM . Baptism in water
is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for
believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification
with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19;
Romans 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
VI. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST .
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire is a gift from God as promised
by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation
and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied
by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy
Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8;
Acts 2:38,39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4).
VII. SANCTIFICATION . The Bible
teaches that without Holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe
in the doctrine of sanctification as a definitive, yet progressive
work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing
until the consummation of salvation (Heb. 12:14; I Thess. 5:23; II
Peter 3:18; II Cor. 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; I Cor. 1:30)
VIII. 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 laying on of hands.
It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege
of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-20; I
Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Isaiah 53:4, 5).
IX. LAYING ON OF HANDS . A simple
belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can
be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands
was practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in
Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, and it is our grounds for baby dedication
instead of baptism. Laying on of hands for healing: Mark 5:22, 23,
41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8. Laying on of hands to confer office:
Acts 6:2-6. Laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost: Acts 8:16-18.
Laying on of Hands to believe words spoken, to receive anointing,
and to cultivate the anointing: I Tim. 4:14. Laying on of hands for
ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools:
I Tim. 4:14.
X. RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE RETURN
OF OUR LORD . The Angels said, "This same Jesus
shall so come in like manner." 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" (Acts
1:11; I Thess. 4:16, 17).
Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth,
as King of kings, and the Lord of lords and together with His Saints,
who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev.20:6).
XI. HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION .
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly
and eternally lost in the lake of fire and therefore has no further
opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of
fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used
in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the
lake of fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence
as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in
the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27; Rev. 19:20; Hebrews 6:1,2).
XII. COMMUNION--THE LORD'S SUPPER .
We partake of the Lord's Supper to show the Lord's death till he
come (I Cor. 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord's broken body
(Isaiah 53:5; I Cor.11:24). The cup represents the new covenant in
His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God
(Heb. 9; I Cor. 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this
is our salvation and receive it (I Cor. 11:28-30) for if we receive
it unworthily--without giving it honor as our salvation-- we are
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor.11:27). |