The Bible

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. We believe it is the product of holy, God-appointed men who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

 

The Godhead

We believe our God is One, but manifested in three persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal. God the Father is greater than all. The Son Jesus, is the Word made flesh, the only begotten son of the father, and He has existed with the Father from the beginning. The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is our Helper, Comforter, Strengthener, Advocate, Intercessor, Standby. (Philippians 2:6, John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14, John 1:1, John 1:18, John 15:26)

 

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for humankind and, thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, John 1:14; John 20:28; Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Timothy 3:16).

 

Man's Fall & Redemption

We believe man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God. Through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world, and death was the result. Man is spiritually dead and separated from God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent to give His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God by providing us with salvation. Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and it is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved. (Romans 5:14, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 1 John 3:8, Ephesians 2:8)

 

Jesus’ Blood

The blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100 percent sufficient to cleanse humankind from all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (John 1:29; Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23; Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:20; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 5:9).

 

Eternal Life & The New Birth

We believe man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. In order to be saved, Jesus said every person must be born again. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced, produces eternal life. (2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 5:12, John 3:3-5)

 

Baptism in The Holy Spirit

We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received by faith, subsequent to the New Birth. The baptism, or infilling of the Spirit gives a believer power to be a witness for Christ, and is the entry point for the supernatural, victorious life. This experience is received by faith and then the believer is commanded to continually “be filled” with the Spirit. (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16,17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:1-7)

 

Water Baptism

We believe Jesus commanded all believers to be baptized by immersion in water. This is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)

 

Sanctification

We believe the Bible teaches that, without holiness, no man can see the Lord. We believe that sanctification which leads to a holy life is a definite, yet progressive work of grace. This process begins at the time of the new birth and continues throughout our Christian life. (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:30)

 

Divine Healing

We believe healing for the physical ills of the human body is available, by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and/or by the laying on the hands and/or by the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today. (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-25, 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5)

 

Resurrection of The Just & The Return of Our Lord

We believe in the physical, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe His coming is imminent. When He comes, the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds (what we refer to as the Rapture), to meet the Lord in the air. After this rapture event, we believe the Tribulation, a period of 7 years, will take place on earth. Following the Tribulation, Jesus shall return to the Earth as King of kings, the Lord of lords, believers will return with Him, and will be the kings and priests, and will reign a thousand years on earth during what is known as the Millenial Reign of Christ. (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, Revelation 20:6)

 

Hell & Eternal Retribution

We believe the one who physically dies without accepting and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord is hopelessly and eternally lost. This person will spend eternity in hell and the Lake of Fire, and therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel and repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of punishment in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of believers in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20)