We Believe
STATEMENT
OF FAITH
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
WE BELIEVE the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are the Holy Inspired Word of God. We accept it as the infallible, authoritative rule for matters pertaining to faith, conduct, and doctrine. (2Tim 3:16, 1Thess 2:13, 2Peter 1:21)
THE ETERNAL GODHEAD
WE BELIEVE God is Triune, the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three distinct, co-equal Persons in One Godhead. (Mt 28:19, JN 15:26, 2 Cor 13:14, 1JN 5:7, 1Pet 1:2)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
WE BELIEVE in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years. (Jn 20:28, Jn1:1, Mt 1:18-25, Heb 4:15, 1Jn 3:5, Jn 11:1-44, Mt 20:28, Lk 24:36-43, Acts 1:9-11, Eph 1:19-23, Phil 2:5-11, Rev 19:11-21, Rev 20:1-6)
THE FALL OF MAN
WE BELIEVE man was created in the likeness and image of God, but by voluntary disobedience, man fell from perfection and sin came into the world. The result of this was not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. (Gen 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6, Rom 5:12-19)
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
WE BELIEVE that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Man’s only hope for redemption is through the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed at the Cross. (Rom 5:8, Eph 2:16, 1Pet 1:18-19)
SALVATION THROUGH GRACE
WE BELIEVE Salvation is a gift of God to man. It is not something one can earn or work to achieve. Eph 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
HOW TO GET SAVED (BORN AGAIN)
WE BELIEVE for true salvation to take place, a person must repent (change the way he thinks) and realize that he is a sinner in need of a Savior. He must confess his sins and turn from his life of sin. He must confess that Jesus is Lord, believe that He died on the cross for the sins of the world, rose from the grave on the third day, and receive Him into his heart as Lord and Savior. Once a person has done these things from his heart, he is saved! He is born again! He has become a child of God! He has become a citizen of the Kingdom of God! He is indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise! He is granted eternal life, and completely forgiven of all his sins! (John 1:12, 3:3-8, Colossians 2:6, Acts 3:19, Romans 3:23, 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 1:9, Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:17- 20, Ephesians 1:13-14, John 3:36)
WATER BAPTISM
WE BELIEVE that baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures and is only for believers. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work. (Mt 28:19, Rom 6:3-5)
HOLY COMMUNION
WE BELIEVE in the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper by the symbolic use of bread and the fruit of the vine. 1Cor. 11:23-25 says, “…took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said ‘Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” The Lord’s Supper looks back in remembrance of His death and forward to His Second Coming.
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE when a person gets saved, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within them, making their body the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The baptism in the Holy Spirit is often a separate experience from salvation, as shown in various New Testament accounts (Acts 8:14-17, Acts 9:1-17). However, it is also possible to experience salvation and baptism with the Holy Spirit simultaneously (Acts 10:44-46). While speaking in tongues is the most common sign of being baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 19:6), it is not the only evidence. The primary purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to receive power to be a witness for Christ (Acts 1:8). Therefore, the most compelling evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is a transformed life marked by power, boldness, holiness, love, the fruit of the Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit.
DIVINE HEALING
WE BELIEVE Divine Healing is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers. WE BELIEVE in the power of Christ to heal the physically sick in answer to the prayer of faith in Jesus’ name and by the laying on of hands. (Is. 53:4-5, Mt 8:16-17, Mk. 16:18, Jam 5:14-15)
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1Cor 12:8-10 are still for the church today as they were in the early church. 1Cor 12:7 reveals the purpose for them “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” WE BELIEVE these gifts are manifested as the Holy Spirit wills. 1Cor 12:11 says, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as HE WILLS”.
THE RAPTURE
WE BELIEVE when this event takes place the resurrection of the dead in Christ will occur, then the believers that are living will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The word “rapture” is derived from a Latin word raptu, which means “caught away or caught up”. This Latin word is equivalent to the Greek word “harpazo” translated as “caught up” in 1Thess 4:17. 1Thess 4:16-17 describes what will take place at the Rapture “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord”. (1Thess. 4:16,17, 1Cor 15:51-53)
THE RETURN OF CHRIST
WE BELIEVE following the Tribulation, Jesus will return to the earth physically and visibly with His saints. He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Mt 24:29-31, Acts 1:9-11, Rev 19:11-21)
FINAL JUDGEMENT AND LAKE OF FIRE
WE BELIEVE those who die in their sins without accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are eternally lost. WE BELIEVE together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet those whose names are not found in the book of life (unbelievers) will be cast into the Lake of Fire at the final judgment. (Rev 19:20, 20:10-15)
THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
WE BELIEVE the final judgment will also bring the fiery destruction of the heavens and the earth, but believers according to the promise of God, look forward to a New Heaven and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2Pet 3:10-13, Rev Chapters 21 and 22)
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
WE BELIEVE the method God ordained to support the local church and the spreading of the gospel throughout the world is by the giving of tithes and free-will offerings. (Mal 3:10, 2Cor 9:7)
GREAT COMMISSION
WE BELIEVE preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and making disciples are the most important responsibilities of the church. WE BELIEVE the divine pattern and strategy for discipleship was revealed through the relationship of the Lord Jesus and His twelve disciples. WE BELIEVE that pattern is to be continued in the local church through “hands-on” practical training. Jesus said in Mt 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples…” (Mt 24:14, 28:19-20, Mk. 16:15)
