We believe in...

God

The only true God, the almighty creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-full of love and glory. We believe that there is one true and living God; that in the unity and simplicity of the Godhead, there are three persons, equal in attributes, but executing distinct harmonious offices. God is one God, eternal self-existent, manifested to man as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

References: Gen 1:1; Matthew 1:23, 3:16-17, 12:31-32, 28:19; John 1:1-4, 14, 18, 14:15-17, 15:26, 16:7-14; Acts 2:8; 1st Cor 12:4-6; 2nd Cor 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6.

The Bible

The unique divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness and authority of the Bible as written by authors who were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible is the infallible word of God and is therefore without error in its original form and is eternally reliable in all matters of Christian faith and practice. The scriptures shall not be added to, superseded, or changed by latter tradition or revelation. Every doctrinal formation, whether of creed, confession, or theology must be put to the test of the full counsel of God as revealed in the scriptures consisting of 66 Books, from Genesis to Malachi in the Old Testament, and from Matthew to Revelation in the New Testament. The New Testament does not destroy the Old Testament or Covenant, but fulfills it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All of the scriptures are to be interpreted in their purpose and context and in harmony with other Biblical truths.

References: Joshua 1:7-9; 2nd Tim 3:16-17; 1st Peter 2:2; 2nd Peter 1:19-21; 1st Thess. 2:13.

The Uniqueness of Humanity

Original man in Adam was made perfect in the image and likeness of God, was placed in the Garden of Eden, and there in his holy estate exercised his free moral agency. Tempted by Satan, Adam and Eve chose to rebel against God their creator and suffered the fall, into sin and death, from which only personal faith in God can bring salvation to any or all of Adam's descendants: mankind. We hold to the value and dignity and equality of all people created in God's image and likeness. That man was created to live in love and holiness but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt, and justly subject to God's wrath and our only hope of redemption is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

References: 1:26-31, 3:1-24; Romans 3:19-26; 5:8-21

Redemption of All Humanity in Christ Jesus

Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, the savior of fallen man is the eternal Son of God. He was conceived of the virgin Mary, by the Holy Spirit, lived as a perfect example, and assumed the judgement due sinners (humanity) by dying in our place, and who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended into heaven as Savior, High Priest, and Lord. We believe that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; that His death was by diving appointment of the Father as an atonement for sin bringing redemption to all humanity.

References: 1st Peter 1:18-20; Titus 2:14; John 1:29; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16, Romans 3:23-26; 1st Tim 2:5.

Justification

Justification by God's Grace to all who repent and put their trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. That upon simple faith and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, all who call upon Him in repentance, may be justified by grace through faith and not by any merits of our own. We believe in the new birth (supernatural regeneration not just a response to alter-call) as a definite experience of salvation from a life of sin to a life of righteousness and true holiness by Christ Jesus.

References: John 3:16; Romans 3:21-30, 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8-10; 2nd Cor 5:17-19: John 1:11-13, 3:14-21; 2nd Peter 3:9.

Sanctification

Sanctification does not undermine but rather is the necessary result of justification. Whereas justification is instant and one time, sanctification is a process for a lifetime as believers are made comfortable in the image of Christ. The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in and gives to all believers a new life, leads Christians into all truth and sanctifies all saints into obedience to the truth. The visible Conversion and growth of the believer is the evidence of true salvation.

References: Titus 2:11-14, Matt 7:16-21; Luke 3:8; John 8:10-11; Romans 12:1-2.

Without continuing faith in God for sanctification, it is impossible to continually appropriate the grace that makes believers holy. Continuous sanctification is the will of God for every believer and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word by the help of the Holy Spirit.

References: Romans 6:1-23; Eph. 4:17-24; Heb. 12:14; 1st Peter 1:11, 16; 1st Thess. 5:23-24; 1st John 2:6; Phil 2:12-13; 1st Peter 2:1-3; 1st John 1:6-7; 1st Cor 7:1; 1st John 2:6; Isa 35:8; 1st Thess. 5:23

Divine Healing and Miracles

God reserves the right to heal and perform miracles at will, from creation to the end of the age. God is capable of intervening in His creation and still performs miracles today. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides deliverance from sin, divine healing for sickness and deliverance from demonic oppression.

References: Exodus 15:26; Acts 4:29

Supernatural Empowerment

The empowerment of the believers with the Holy Spirit for supernatural ministry and making disciples of all nations as delegated by Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit as definite spiritual gifts to bestow upon the believing church of Jesus Christ. These gifts are divided unto every man severally as the Holy Spirit wills, and should be desired by every believer for the edification and benefit of the church. The basic or rudimentary gift is given at new birth (making the new believer a potential functional part of the body i.e. eye or ear) but is activated at baptism of the Holy Spirit just like puberty activates adulthood or a switch activates a light bulb. More gifts can be added as the Holy Spirit desires or at the believers request.

References: 1st Cor 12:1-11, 14:26-31; Romans 12:3-8; Luke 24:46-49.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from new birth, sanctification and baptism into the body of Christ (1st Cor 12:13). It is a definite experience that could take place at or after the New Birth. At New Birth, the Holy Spirit comes into a believer to dwell, at baptism with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit comes upon the believer to empower him (John 14:17-18: 1st Corinthians 3:16; Acts 8:14-17). This endowment of power may be expected after the same manner as that in which He came upon the Jews and Gentile alike in Apostolic days with evidence of speaking with tongues. However, according to Acts 2;8 the most important thing, with the baptism, is the empowerment and the activation of the functionality of the believer as a part of the body.

Reference: Matt 3:11; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 1-:44-46, 19:1-6.

The Existence of Angels, Satan and Demons

The existence and personality of spirit beings called Angels, Satan, and demons. Angels are those who serve God and do His will (Hebrews 1:14). Satan is the chief fallen angel of other fallen angels called demons who are in total opposition to God (Is 14:12-15; Ez. 38:13-15), have contingent/limited power over the world. Upon resurrection, Jesus gave authority to all believers in Christ Jesus over all the powers of Satan and His demons. We understand that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, therefore, we do not pray to kill all our enemies, neighbors, parents, uncles, aunts, in-laws, or friends. We bind the devil, cast him out, paralyze the works of darkness, set the people free. In some cases, divination and incantations are returned to sender but not with the specific intent to kill. The goal rather is for witches and wizards to abandon their witchcraft and surrender to Jesus. Ex. 22:18 (Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live), is not meant to be applied to the New Testament.

References: Acts 19:11-20, 8:4-13, 13:6-12; Lk 10:18-19; Matt 5:43-48.

The Intellectual Defense of the Christian Faith (Apologetics)

The the Christian faith is coherent and can be defended logically, philosophically, scientifically and supernaturally. Christians should pursue intellectual dominion like Daniel and Paul.

References: 1st Peter 3:15, Col 4:5-6, Phil 1:7; 2nd Cor 10:4-5, Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1-3

Manifold Grace of God

That the whole counsel of God is the manifold grace of God to man through Jesus Christ alone which is not limited to the unmerited favor of God but includes the grace of revelation, redemption, justification, sanctification, ministration, provision and glorification. Grace is God's hand reaching down to man. Romans 10:21 "But to Israel he says: All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." John 3:14-21. Faith is man's hand reaching up to God to receive His grace.

References: 1st Peter 4:10, 5:10; Titus 2:11

Water Baptism

We believe that water baptism by immersion is a command of our Lord; that is an outward sign of an inward work; that like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we should walk in newness of life.

References: Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:4; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41.

The Lord's Supper

We believe the Lord's Supper is a remembrance of His suffering and death. The broken bread, used in its commemoration is a type of the bread which came down from heaven, even Jesus Christ, whose body was broken for us; the wine, to remind us of the shed blood of the Savior, the Lamb of God. The ordinance spans the years from Calvary to the coming of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and is enjoined upon every believer.

References: Mark 14:22-24; 1st Cor 11:23-30

Church Relationship

We believe that the church is the Body of Christ and that every believer born of the Spirit is a member of that Body, whose names are written in Heaven; that it is the duty of every believer to identify himself with the church upon earth, which is a company of believers associated together for the salvation of souls, and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

References: Eph 1:22-23; 4:3, 15-16, 5:23, 26, 32; 1st Cor 12:13; Romans 12:5; Matthew 17:26.

Ministry and Evangelism

We believe in a ministry divinely called by our Lord, for the express purpose of soul winning and carrying the Everlasting Gospel to the whole world.

References: Matthew 28:12-20; Acts 2:47; Matthew 4:18-22; Acts 13:2

Second Coming of Jesus Christ

The Future personal return and victorious reign of Jesus Christ, who will judge all people with justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation but receiving the redeemed into eternal life.

The Rapture - The resurrection of those fallen asleep in Christ and their translation with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church.

References: 1st Thess. 1:7; Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 10:1-7; Romans 11:26-27

Hell

We believe that Hell is a place prepared for those who have rejected the mercy of the crucified Savior. They shall be cast into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Their punishment is eternal grief, regret and torment from which there is no escape.

References: Matthew 13:41-42, 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15; Luke 16:23; 2nd Thess. 1:19; 2nd Peter 2:4.

Heaven

We believe that Heaven is a place prepared for all those that believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Their reward is everlasting life and joy in the presence of the Lord. The New Heaven and New Earth will replace these old ones. According to His promise, we look for a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

References: 2nd Peter 3;12; Revelation 7:14-17, 21:1-4, 22:5; John 14:2.