STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Scriptures
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old 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 to conduct and doctrine.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” and “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” and “…ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God…” (2Tim. 3:16; 2Peter 1:21; 1Thess.2:13)
The Godhead
Our God is one, but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal.
“…The Lord our God is one Lord” and “…being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Deut. 6:4, Phil. 2:6)
Man, His Fall, and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world.
“..There is none righteous, no, not one” and “..all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10; 3:23)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God.
“Nevertheless death reigned… even over them that had not sinned…” and “…that he might destroy the works of the devil” (Rom. 5:14; 1 Jn 3:8)
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.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” (Eph. 2:8-10)
Eternal Life and the New Birth
Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life.
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…” and “He that hath the Son hath life…” and “…except a man be born again… he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (2Cor. 7:10; 1 Jn 5:12; John 3:3-5)
Baptism and the Holy Ghost
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance.
“…he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost…” and “…He shall give you another Comforter… even the Spirit of truth…” and “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” and “…Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed…and they spake with tongues, and prophesied…” and “…and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:1-4).
Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the Atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today.
“…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” and “…let them pray over him… and the prayer of faith shall save the sick…” and “…by whose stripes ye were healed” and “That it might be fulfilled… Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” and “… and with his stripes we are healed” (Mark 16:18; James 5:14,15; 1Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4,5).