We
Believe
- The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God
to mankind, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior
to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason ( 2 Timothy
3:15-16; 1 Peter 2:2).
- The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent,
self-revealed "I AM" and has further revealed Himself
as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e.,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isaiah
43:10, 11; Matthew 28:19).
- That 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 his only hope of redemption
is in Jesus Christ the Son of God (Genesis 1:26-31: 3:1-7; Romans
5:12-21).
- The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all
men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith
toward the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration
and renewing of the Holy Ghost, and, being justified by grace
through faith, he becomes an heir of God according to the hope
of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 23:47; Titus
3:5-7). The "inward" evidence to the believer of his
salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The
"outward" evidence of his salvation to all men is a
life of righteousness and true holiness.
- The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed
as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have repented and in
their hearts have truly believed in Christ as Savior and Lord.
In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward
symbol of cleansing, while their heart has 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 that 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, 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 11:26). It is enjoined on all
believers "until He comes."
- That all believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect,
and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the baptism in
the Holy Ghost 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, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the
work of the ministry (Luke 24:29; Acts 1:4; 1:8; 1 Corinthians
12:1-31). This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent
to the experience of the new birth (Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).
- In the baptism of believers as a unique work of the Holy Ghost—an
evidence of which is the speaking with other tongues as the Spirit
of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The manifestation of speaking
in other 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 Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man
shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost 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).
- The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through
the Spirit with divine appointments for the fulfillment of the
great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral
part of the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven
(Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:33).
- A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been
provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: The evangelization
of the world, and the edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20;
Ephesians 4:11-13).
- Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and
is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17).
- The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and
their translation, together with those who are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord, is the imminent and blessed hope
of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:12; 1 Corinthians
15:51-52; Romans 8:23).
- The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation
of national Israel, and the Millennial reign of Christ on earth
is the Scriptural promise and the world's hope (2 Thessalonians
1:17; Revelation 19:11-14; Romans 11:26-27; Revelation 20:1-7).
- The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and
whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned
to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and
brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 19:20; Revelation
20:10-15).
- "According to His promise, look for new heavens, and a
new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13;
Revelation 21:1).
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