What We Believe

Statement of Faith

             I have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which I most surely believe (Luke 1:1).  Praying that there be no harmful or divisive difference of peace and  harmony, so that all I come into contact with, we may be all of the same mind and judgment, speaking the same thing (I Cor. 1:10; Acts 2:42), in love with one  voice glorify God, edify His people and give Christian witness to the world.

1.  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 Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).  The New Covenant as recorded in the New Testament, I accept as my infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (1 Timothy 3:15-17).  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, for "reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly equipped unto all good works."  Also see (1 Peter 2:1-2).

2. THE GODHEAD

            Our God is one, but manifested in three personalities, the Father, The Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7).  GOD, the Father is greater than all (1 John 14:28), the Source and the Begetter of the Word (John 1:14; John 16:28), "No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him" (John 1:18). The SON, is the Word made flesh, the One Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, 1:14, 1:18), being co-equal with God (Phil. 2:6).  The Holy Ghost proceeds froth from God the Father, (John 14:26), and is eternal (John 14:16), Being promised by Jesus from the Father to all fully cleansed believers (John 14:16, 17).

3. MAN, HIS FALL AND REDEMPTION

            Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin has entered into the world (Romans 5:12), "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), "As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10).  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 (1 John 3:8).  Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from the works and the law, and is made operative by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8).

4. NEW BIRTH AND ETERNAL LIFE

            Man's first step toward salvation is a godly sorrow that worketh repentance and brings forth fruits worthy of that repentance (Mt. 3:8, 2 Cor. 7:10).  The new birth is necessary to all men (John 3:3-8), and when fulfilled produces eternal life with God (1 John 5:12).  I believe that eternal life with God in Heaven is the reward of the righteous (Mt. 24:13), (Mark 13:13), and that everlasting banishment from the Presence of the Lord, and unending torture in Hell is the fate of the persistently wicked (Mt. 25:46; Psalm 9:17; Rev. 21:7-8).

5. SANCTIFICATION
 

            Sanctification leads to holiness (Romans 6:22).  "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).  I believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 3:18; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Cor. 1:30).

6. BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE

            The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire (Mt. 3:11), is a gift from God as promised through the Lord, Jesus Christ (John 14:16, Acts 1:4-5), to all fully cleansed believers in this dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:39).  He is accompanied with the speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance, as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46).

7. THE CHURCH

            The true Church is the body of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 12:1-10), Christ being the Head (Col. 2:19).  It's earthly constituents, are men and women, born of the Spirit, living holy lives, striving to do the will of God.  To the Church is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 12:1-10), necessary for the successful fulfillment of Christ's great commission to the Church as given to the disciples in Mt. 28:19 and Mark 16:15-20.

8. WATER BAPTISM

            Baptism in water is by immersion, and is a direct commandment of our Lord (Mt. 28:19), and is for believers only (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:37).  Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God, the ordinance is a symbol of the Christian identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Peter 3:21, Rom. 6:4,5).

            I recognize this formula for water baptism--Mt. 28:19.

            "On the confession of your faith in Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen. (Mt. 28:19).

9. LORD'S SUPPER AND FEET WASHING

            The ordinance of the Lord's Supper  is a commandment of our Saviour; and, being a memorial of His death, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1Cor. 11:24-30).  I believe in the sacrament of the Lord's supper among all of God's people.  I believe that feet washing should be included in  the Lord's Supper and administered as the Holy Spirit leads.  (John 13:1-18).  The Lord said in John 13:14, "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  "I believe by doing this we shall keep ourselves humble before our Lord.

10. DIVINE HEALING

            Healing if for the whole man, spirit, and/or soul, and/or body; and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith,  the laying on of hands, and standing on the Word of God concerning healing (Mk. 16:18, James 5:14-16); and is provided  for in the atonement of  Jesus, and is the privilege of everyone that will except it (Lk. 5:15).

11. MINISTRY

            God through the Holy Ghost, definitely call such as He desires to serve in the five-fold ministry which is defined in Eph. 4:11 being called apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  He anoints the ones called, with power, talent, wisdom and gifts  pertaining to that office or offices (1 Cor. 12:28).  I believe in preaching the whole Word of God, not taking away or adding to the Word of God. (Rev. 22:18,19).  "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that ye fulfill it. (Col. 4:17)

12. WOMEN MINISTERS

            The gifts and callings of God are without repentance, and the Holy Ghost divideth upon each as He wills.  "In the last days our sons and daughters shall prophecy." (Joel 2:28,29; Acts 8:17,18)  When called of God and anointed by the Holy Spirit,  women shall have the freedom to serve in the ministry as they are led by the Spirit (Acts 2:18)   

13. TITHES

            "Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed me, but ye say, wherein have we robbed Thee?  In tithes and offerings." (Malachi 3:8)  I believe that all Christians (including ministers) should give tithes into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10,11).  I also believe that church members should give all of their tithes into the church where they are getting their spiritual food.

14. RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS

            I believe in the Pre-Millennial coming of our Lord in the clouds, to catch away His Bride.  The angel said, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner." (Acts 1:11)  When He comes, "The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air."  (1 Thess. 4:16,17)

15. FINAL JUDGMENT

            I believe in the great white throne judgment of all.  "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Rev. 20:12)  "...and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death." (Rev. 20:13,14)  The lake of fire is literal and eternal.  "And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And he shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ...Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."  (Mt. 25:32-34,41)