Statement of Faith

The Scriptures – The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (II Timothy 3:16, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Peter 1:21)

The Godhead – God is One, but manifested in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:13, Matthew 3:16-17)

God the Father is greater than all: the source of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, 16:28 and 1:14)
Jesus is the Son of God, One with the Father, the Word covered in flesh, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, 1:14, 1:18 and 10:30)
The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26)

Man, His Fall and His Redemption – Man is a created being, made in the image of God, but through Adam’s transgression, 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 3:9-10, 3:23 and 5:12; 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).

Eternal Life and New Birth – Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life (II Corinthians 7:10, I John 5:12, John 3:3-5)

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 (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39)

Baptism in the Holy Spirit – The Baptism in the Holy Spirit 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 generally accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 19:1-7)

Sanctification – We believe that sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 12:14, I Thessalonians 5:23, I Corinthians 1:30, II Corinthians 3:18, II Peter 3:18, Philippians 2:12 and 3:12-14)

Divine Healing – is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands by the authority of Jesus Name. It is purchased by Christ through the atonement and is the privilege of every member of the church today. (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-20, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17, I Peter 2:24)

Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Our Lord – The angel said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first, and 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 and I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Following the seven year tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign one thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

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 the joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 6:1-2, 9:27, Revelation 19:20)

Communion – The Lord’s Supper – We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death until He returns (I Corinthians 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s body, the Bread of Life, broken (Isaiah 53:5, I Corinthians 11:24). The cup represent the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness, imparts the righteousness of Christ and establishes relationship with God (Hebrews 9, I Corinthians 11:25).

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 is our grounds for baby dedication rather than baptism. Laying on of Hands for Healing (Mark 5:22-23, 28-31 and 41; Acts 19:11-12 and 28:8); and to confer an office (Acts 6:2-6); to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:16-18); to believe words spoken, receive the anointing and to cultivate the anointing (I Timothy 4:14); and for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Timothy 4:14).