WHAT WE BELIEVE
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
2 Tim 3:15-17; 1 Thes 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Duet 6:4; Is 43:10-11; Matt 28:19; Luke 3:22
3. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His virgin birth- Matt 1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35
His sinless life- Heb 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22
His miracles- Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38
His substitutionary work on the cross- 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21
His bodily resurrection from the dead- Matt 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Cor 15:4
His exaltation to the right hand of God- Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:3
4. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
Gen 1:26-27; Gen 2:17; Gen 3:6; Rom 5:12-19
5. THE SALVATION OF MAN
Every person can have restored fellowship with God through ‘salvation’ (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior).
Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Rom 10:13-15; Eph 2:8; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7
6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 22:16; Rom 6:4
HOLY COMMUNION
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 Cor 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Cor 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 12:1-31
8. THE INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN 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.
The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use.
9. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.
Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thes 5:23; Heb 13:12
The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy."
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.
Rom 6:1-11; Rom 6:13; Rom 8:1-2; Rom 8:13; Gal 2:20; Phil 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:5
10. THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION
The Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe ‘the Church’ is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:22-23; Eph 2:22; Heb 12:23
11. 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.
Worship of God.
Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion.
Psalms 112:9; Gal 2:10; Gal 6:10; James 1:27
12. 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.
Is 53:4-5; Matt 8:16-17; James 5:14-16
13. 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 Thes 4:16-17; Rom 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor 15:51-52
14. 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.
Zech 14:5; Matt 24:27; Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7; Rev 19:11-14; Rev 20:1-6
This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel,
Ez 37:21-22; Zeph 3:19-20; Rom 11:26-27
and the establishment of universal peace.
Is 11:6-9; Ps 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4
15. 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 burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Matt 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Rev 19:20; Rev 20:11-15; Rev 21:8
16. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."