what we believe

Fundamental Truths

THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

The Old and New Testament are verbally inspired by God, the only written revelation from God to man. The Bible is infallible and the authoritative rule of faith and conduct for mankind (II Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13 & 1 Peter 1:21).

THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:35); His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22); His miracles (Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38); His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21); His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4; His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11, Acts 2:33, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3)

THE SALVATION OF MAN

The only means of salvation is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6). He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (I Peter 2:24). He offers each of us a pardon for our sins (Hebrews 9:26) and wants us to become children of God (John 1:12). When we put our faith in Christ, it triggers a spiritual chain reaction. We become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19). Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). We become citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20-21). We are given eternal life (John 3:16). We are adopted and become children of God (Gal. 4:4-7). Our sins are forgiven and forgotten (Heb. 8:12). We are credited with the righteousness of Christ (Rom. 4:4-5). We are born again (John 3:3). God takes ownership of us (I Cor. 6:20). We receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14 & I Peter 1:3-5). The evidence of salvation is two-fold. The internal evidence is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). The external evidence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). We become a new creation (II Cor. 5:17) and are transformed into the image of Christ (II Cor. 3:18).

baptism in THE HOLY SPIRIT

The nine fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity. The nine gifts of the Spirit are different manifestations of the Spirit to build up the body (I Cor. 12:1-11). We are instructed to diligently seek the gifts (I Cor. 12:31, 14:1), but they must be exercised in an orderly way (I Cor. 14:26-33) in the context of love (I Cor. 13:1-13).

sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. (Romans 12:1,2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23) The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15,16) Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 6:13)

THE MINISTRY

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in:

Evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20); worship of God (John 4:23,24); building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16); meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion (Psalms 112:9, Galatians 2:10; 6:10)

THE BLESSED HOPE

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, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 19:20)

THERE IS ONE TRUE GOD

God is called by many different names because of the different dimensions of His personality, but God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). God is super-dimensional and eternally self-existent (John 8:54-59). God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1 & 2). While God is one, He has revealed Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

THE FALL OF MAN

Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 2:26). By a voluntary act of the will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis 3:6). That first sin had several repercussions: Man was excommunicated from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23), a curse was pronounced (Genesis 3:14-19), the process of physical death began (Genesis 2:17) and man died spiritually (Romans 5:12-19). Sin separated humankind from God (Ephesians 2:11-18) and left man in a fallen and sinful condition (Romans 3:23).

THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH:

BAPTISM IN WATER

The Scripture teaches that all who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized by immersion (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to the world that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

COMMUNION

The Lord’s table consists of two elements: the bread and cup. Those elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ’s sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation. It is an opportunity for a believer to examine himself and experience forgiveness. (2 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 11:26)

the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the holy spirit

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4) The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28)

THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION

The Church is the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-27) and has a three-fold purpose: to evangelize the world (Acts 1:8 & Mark 16:15-16), to worship God (I Cor. 12:13) and to equip for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16 & I Cor. 12:28, 14:12).

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

There will be a final judgment in which the dead will be resurrected and judged according to their works (Matt. 25:31-46 & Romans 2:1-9). Everyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, along with the Devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). Those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be resurrected and stand at the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded for their good deeds (I Cor. 4:5)

DIVINE HEALING

Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5, Matthew 8:16,17, James 5:14-16)

THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27, Revelation 1:7) This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel, (Ezekiel 37:21,22, Zephaniah 3:19,20, Romans 11:26,27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalms 72:3-8, Micah 4:3,4)

NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH

We believe in, and look forward to, a promised new dwelling place filled with righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). This dwelling place will be where God dwells with his people and will wipe every tear and remove death and pain. (Revelation 21, Revelation 22)

WE ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, A PENTECOSTAL DENOMINATION.