Tenants of Faith and Doctrine
The Scriptures Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the living, infallible and everlasting rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12;
1 Peter 1:23-25)
One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally, self-existent ‘I am’, the Creator of the Universe. He has further revealed Himself as a triune Being, manifested as Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 1:1-5, 10-14; Matthew 28:18-20)
The Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the 100% divine (Son of God) while simultaneously being 100% human (Son of Man) and was born of a virgin, Mary. As God incarnate, he is the express image of the Living God in human form. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; John 5:22; II John 3; Hebrews 1:1-13)
Original Sin and the Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright in the image and likeness of God. The first man (Adam) through disobedience fell from the grace of God and thus sin and death entered into the world. Adam’s transgression incurred not only physical death for man, but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. Man’s inherent propensity to sin, because of his sinful nature, necessitates salvation from the power of sin and a savior to provide that salvation. Man’s only hope is through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption and salvation from sin is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. His blood is completely sufficient to deliver every person from the power and penalty of sin. Through faith in Christ Jesus and confession of Jesus as personal Lord through repentance, the believer becomes a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. (John 3:5,7; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8-13, 10:9, 10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 1:21; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 9, 10)
Baptism in Water
Baptism by immersion in water is commanded in the scriptures and is an ordinance of the church. All who repent of their sins and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized in water. This is a declaration to the world that they identify with Christ in His death and have been raised with Him in newness of life. Water Baptism is not a means to salvation. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all believers today. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. With the baptism in the Holy Spirit, comes the enduement of power for life and service and the bestowing of spiritual gifts. The Baptism is the gateway to the gifts of the Spirit. (Acts 2:4; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; I Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-15, 15:7-9)
The Lord’s Supper or “Holy Communion”
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of bread and a cup of the fruit of the vine, is a remembrance of the new covenant in Jesus’ blood and of Jesus’ suffering and death. It is also an ordinance of the church. His Body, broken for us paid for our healing, His blood, shed for us paid for our sins. (Matthew 26:26 - 29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ and is comprised of all born again believers. Jesus Christ, Himself is head of the body. God inhabits the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit both individually and corporately. The church is not limited to or defined by culture, organization or location. (Romans 12:5; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12- 14; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 4:11-16, 25; Hebrews 12:23)
Missions and the Great Commission
Global Missions is God’s top priority and end-times assignment for His Church, the Body of Christ.
Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost; to be worshipped by man; and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son; the responsibility of the church therefore is to evangelize the nations. (Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15, 16; Luke 24:46 - 49; Acts 1:6-8)
Ever Increasing Faith
Faith of the heart is based on the hearing (spiritual understanding) of God’s Word. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Christians are saved through faith, justified by faith, shall live by faith, and overcome the world by faith. (Romans 10:9-10, 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:28; 5:1; Galatians 2:16, 3:11; 1 John 5:4; Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 10:38)
Divine Healing
Divine healing was provided in both the Old Testament and New Testament and is an integral part of the Gospel even today. Jesus’ body was broken for us the same day He shed His blood for our sin. Walking in divine healing includes freedom from all sickness and demonic oppression. (Exodus 15:23-26; Psalm 103:1-3; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 7:24-28; Acts 5:16; 1 Peter 2:24; James 5:14-16)
Prosperity
Financial prosperity and abundance are provided for in both the Old and New Covenants. It is part of our redemption, the same as Divine Healing. Jesus was made poor that we might have a full supply. When we sow we shall also reap. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Galatians 3:13; Galatians 6:7; Philippians 4:19; II Corinthians 8:9; Isaiah 1:19; Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-12)
The Rapture
The rapture or “catching away” (harpazo) of the church is an altogether different event from the second coming of Christ. The rapture will occur before the tribulation period. We believe in the doctrine of Dispensational Millennialism.
(Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54)
The Second Advent of Christ
Christ’s unconditional promise is, “I will come again.” (John 14:1-3) It is the bodily return of Christ to the earth to reign. Before that day, there will be a great apostacy, or falling away.
At that time, there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be judged and sent to an eternal hell and the righteous will be judged and ushered into the everlasting Kingdom of God. (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27-30; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6; Ezekiel 39:28-29; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27; Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8)
The Lake of Fire
Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15)
The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The Scriptures promise the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16, 20: 1-6) After this there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21)